The lecture introduces the history of the city of Nien, which existed at the site of future St. Petersburg before its foundation. Participants will take a virtual stroll through the ancient streets, learn about the residents of the 17th century, and see familiar places from a new perspective - through facts, maps, and cultural connections of the past. The history of St. Petersburg begins earlier than the date commonly considered the moment of the city's foundation. On the banks of the Neva, long before the appearance of the new capital, there were settlements, trade routes, and residential quarters. One of these places was Nien - a city with its own life, population, and culture. During the meeting, participants will take a virtual stroll through the streets of the old city, which was located at the confluence of the Neva and Okhta rivers. It was here that people chose places to live, trying to avoid constant flooding. By the mid-17th century, about two thousand people lived in Nien, including Swedes, Germans, Russians, and Finns. The lecture will help to view the familiar history of St. Petersburg in a broader context and see that before the emergence of the imperial capital, this territory already had a rich past. Where to go in St. Petersburg can be found on our website.