Saint Petersburg was created as a European city under the influence of the European culture. Italy prevailed in fashion, architecture and painting in Europe. The influence of this fashion was essential for the look of the new city. Italian architects made the main contribution into the formation of the city's center. The first architect was Trezini, Italian by origin. He was a creator of the Peter and Pall fortress and the cathedral. — starting point of Saint Petersburg. Later Peter the Great decided to move a center of the city to Vasilievsky Island and make it look as Italian Venice. Trezini made a plan where the rectangular net of channels had to covered the island. But the plan was not realized because of the technical problems. Nevertheless, the old streets on the Vasilievsky Island are still named in an unusual way — First Line, Second Line, etc.

In 1722 Trezini began the construction of building of the Twelve Colleges for the Senate and the other higher state institutions.

In the South-West part of the capital between Moika and Fontanka the new region Kolomna appeared. This word is supposed to be derived from the Italian word "column", by which Trezini noted forest cuttings.

A lot of Italian architects were working with Trizini in Saint Petersburg. Among them there were G.-I.Matarnovi, N.Miketti, Bartalomeo Rastrelli and his son Franchesco Bartalameo Rastrelli. At this time the new style baroque (from Italian "magnificence") appeared. The creator of this style in its full blossom in Saint Petersburg was Franchesco Bartalameo Rastrelli. Winter Palace, his creation, is the wonderful example of the style.

In 1760s the empress Katherine II began to rule. She wasn't fond of the baroque style and preferred classicism because of its simplicity and Roman magnificence. The representative of early classicism was an Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi. Its most pompous creation is the Marble Palace. Palladio played an important role in the period of deliberate classicism. In 1800-1830s classicism got the name empire. The brightest representative of the style was Carlo Rossi, who created magnificent architectural ensembles of Palace and Senate squares, square of Art, Alexandrinsky squares with the famous theatre and close-fitting streets. Due to his activity the city has got the majestic look which has been stunning the imagination of many generations.