Social connections and the construction of imperial space under Peter the Great (the circle of communication of architect J.-B. A. Leblon)

The article is devoted to identifying methods and approaches that allow studying the mechanisms of constructing imperial space in Russia in the first quarter of the 18^th century through the reconstruction of social ties of the persons who created the architectural symbols of power. In this context, it is assumed that the focus of research attention should be shifted from the figure of the monarch as the main actor setting the direction of activity on the construction of architectural objects to the system of social connections of people of various ranks who implemented the plans of the sovereign in practice. The authors conclude that the method of social network analysis (and historical social network analysis) can be the most productive for studying such problematics. The paper shows general characteristic of the system of social ties that developed between the participants in the construction of the royal residences and the new capital – St. Petersburg.