Palaces and architecture of St Petersburg by filip007
The first architect to build St Petersburg was the Italian Domenico Tozzini, who stayed for 9 years. All the city was built almost exclusively by european architects, mainly italian and french, the most famous being Bartolomeo Rastrelli and Giacomo Quarenghi.Since the celebration of 300 years of the founding of the city, the efforts of renovation continue on and on, so most of the center is in excellent shape (at least looking from the street)
Most of the palaces are situated either on Nevsky prospect or between Moika canal and Neva.The highest points in the city are the towers of the Petro Pavlovski Church and Admiralty tower, so all the city has a laid back, relaxed atmosphere with low buildings and large avenues and canals.
... due to the northern latitude, the sun stays rather low, so the low buildings have the advantage of blocking it less. And the sky always stays present in the city, either reflected in the canals or above the low rise buildings.