Construction of the new fortress of Sankt-Piter-Burch (later called St. Petersburg) began after Russia won the battles of the Northern War against the Swedes and gained access to the Baltic Sea.

Russia's wars with Sweden over the lands of the Neva River continued for centuries. They were fought as early as the 13th century, under Alexander Nevsky, and in the Livonian War in the 16th century. Only the success of the Northern War finally returned these lands to Russia.