Russian authorities may be seeking to strip St. Petersburg's picturesque Tsarist-era suburbs of their status as World Heritage Sites. Conservationists say a Russian document recently submitted to UNESCO significantly reduces the territory outside St. Petersburg currently protected by the UN agency. The move has raised fears of large-scale development in the area that could encroach upon many historically important constructions.
St. Petersburg UNESCO Heritage Sites Under Threat?
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The Chinese Palace at Oranienbaum, a private residence of Catherine the Great built by architect Antonio Rinaldi
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The Venus Pavilion in the Gatchina Palace Park designed by Vincenzo Brenna