Parrot Time Magazine

This city sits besides a river and is the second largest city of its country. It was was named for a leader of of the country, then renamed twice before resuming its original name, which it used when it was the capital. It is the most westernised city of its country and is the northernmost city in the world.

The fortress and town which the city was born from were created in 1611. A leader, seeking to expand the sea trade and power, captured the city in 1703 and built his own fortress there. The city was built up for many years, at the cost of the lives of tens of thousands of serfs, before becoming the new capital for the country.

While it started out being built sporadically, a very formal layout was later developed and implemented. The leader used it as the new major port and studied ship building from the Dutch so he was able to create a large navy for it. He died in 1725, and while his attempts at modernizing his country caused much opposition in his country, the city he founded remains a testament to his greatness.

The name of the leader and the city seem related, as if the city were named after him. However, it was named after one of his patron saints, for which a citadel and cathedral were named. The name was changed the first time after the start of World War I to remove the German words related to it. It was renamed again, 10 years later, after the death of the current leader of the country, in dedication to him.

Today, is is still an important port, and parts of the city are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including one of the largest art museums in the world.

Can you name this city and country?

Last month's answer: Nara, Japan