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Who founded St. Petersburg and when?

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Peter I (the Great) founded St. Petersburg on May 16 (May 27, New Style), 1703, after capturing the Swedish fortress of Nienshants on the lower Neva River. He sought a sea outlet to the west and constructed a fleet on the Svir River. Afterward, he laid the foundation for the Peter-Paul Fortress on Zayachy Island, which is considered the founding date. Peter I built the city to serve as his “window on Europe.”