I think there is no need to remind when the construction of this city began.
St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Peter I. In 1712-28 and 1732-1918 the capital of Russia.
What happened in this area before construction began is very vaguely described. But looking at the "General Map of the Province of Ingermanlandia" of the Swedish edition of 1678, it is clear that the area was built up with some settlements.
Here is the complete map.
And this is a part of the map that shows the area where St. Petersburg will be built.
Judging by the icons, there were quite large settlements there, the area was cleared, there are no forests.
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And here is the plan of St. Petersburg in 1705. We see a completely different picture.
The Peter and Paul Fortress and the Main Admiralty were built on a completely deserted area.
First, the construction speed is phenomenal, given the lack of roads. After all, the stone could only be delivered by carts. A horse will not pull more than 200 kilograms at a time.
Secondly, there is a war going on at this time. And the Swedish king does not pay attention to the construction of the fortress under his nose at all! Strange carelessness.
Further more interesting.
Here is a map from 1717. It was compiled by Nicolas de Fer (1646-1720), an engraver and cartographer of the French crown, who created more than 600 geographical maps.
Vasilievsky Island surprises, completely built up and looks like a fortress. And the rest of the city is practically built up, but St. Isaac's Church is not on the map, although we are assured that it was already there at that time.
The French court cartographer made some strange map.
The Berlin engraver Georg Paul Busch, when making his map on copper in 1717, apparently used de Fer's map. But Bush already has St. Isaac's Cathedral.
True, Isaac is depicted in the second version.
And this cannot be, in 1717 the construction of the second version of St. Isaac's Cathedral was just started.
And suddenly, unexpectedly!
Map of 1725.
And which cards to believe? These maps are recognized as a historical document. But they contradict each other.
It's strange.
And probably the most complete of the maps of that time, compiled by P. N. Petrov in 1738.
The accuracy is amazing.
There is a strong feeling that this map was drawn up much later. You can't do without surveyors.
Therefore, foreign maps look more natural, but at the same time too fantastic.
Summing up, I would like to say that the cartographers of the 18th century imagined St. Petersburg in too different ways.