"Russia was a part of Europe for two centuries: from 1703, the year St. Petersburg was founded, to 1917, the year of the Bolshevik victory. Before the eighteenth century, however, Russia had quite another historical destiny. It maintained closer ties with the Asian steppes and Byzantium than with Europe. The country was open to the south, the north, and the east rather than to the west."

Author of St. Petersburg: Architecture of the Tsars and one of Russia's foremost young architectural historians, Dmitry Shvidkovsky traces how the built environment reflects a unique mixture of cultures, politics, and styles.

Cosponsored by: Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Graduate College, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, The Council of Deans, The Center for Advanced Study, George A. Miller Endowment, George A. Miller Committee, Peggy Harris Memorial Fund,School of Architecture, Alan K. and Leonarda Laing Bequest