Why is the Arrow important? Vasilyevsky Island: - exactly this a nice place cities with the most attractions.
Why is it called like this: here the Neva branches into two channels, turning the eastern tip of Vasilevsky Island into an arrow-shaped cape.

Interesting Facts: For a century and a half, the main port of St. Petersburg was located on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. All the buildings here are somehow connected with the needs of the port. True, in the 19th century, English skippers swore: it’s faster to get from London to Kronstadt than from Kronstadt to the port of St. Petersburg. The complex fairway of the Neva no longer corresponded to the displacement of sea vessels. Therefore, the port was moved to the Gulf of Finland, where it is still located.

Main attractions:

- ancient lighthouses, decorated with rostra - sculptural images of the prows of ships.
- an empty building that has become a hostage to the politics of the last decade.
State Hermitage - the largest museum in Russia and the fourth largest museum in the world. The Hermitage complex consists of 5 connected buildings, 4 of which are visible from the embankment. This:

• - the main residence of Russian emperors.
• - it was this building that gave the name "Hermitage" to the museum complex.
• - here, in addition to other masterpieces of painting, there are the only paintings in Russia by Leonardo da Vinci.
• - private theater of Catherine the Great.

- here, among the numerous stuffed animals, Stirlitz liked to meet with his agents.
- "The Chamber of Rarities", the first museum in Russia.

Spit of Vasilievsky Island in St. Petersburg. A beautiful and harmonious architectural ensemble on the eastern tip of Vasilyevsky Island, formed by the Exchange, Rostral columns, Birzhevoy Square, customs buildings, southern and northern warehouses in the first half of the 19th century according to the project of J.-F. Thomas de Thomon and I. F. Luchini.

The territory of the current Strelka remained undeveloped for a long time, despite the fact that Vasilyevsky Island itself began to be actively built up at the beginning of the 18th century under Peter I. At first, the city port was moved here, but later it was shifted to the north. The first plan for the transformation of the square was adopted in 1767, however, the first building - the majestic building of the Stock Exchange - was erected by the architect J.-F. Thomas de Thomon only in 1805-1810, at the same time the Rostral columns appeared here. The buildings, radiating wings away from the Stock Exchange, were built in 1826-1832, with their appearance, the Strelka ensemble was finally completed.

The famous semicircular ledge of the Strelka is of artificial origin - for its arrangement, soil was poured into the riverbed, which increased the length of the cape by 123.5 meters towards the river. It was originally intended for the front pier seaport, but in 1894 it was decided to organize a small garden on it with vases, paths and benches. The modern square on Strelka was created in 1925-1926 according to the project of L. A. Ilyin.

The Spit of Vasilevsky Island is one of the most favorite places for citizens and guests of the city, this beautiful place fascinates with the harmonious unity of water space and urban architecture. It is clearly visible both from the Peter and Paul Fortress, and from the Trinity Bridge, as well as from pleasure steamers and boats. Panorama Strelka is one of the most recognizable views of St. Petersburg.

During the years of the Leningrad blockade, the crew of anti-aircraft batteries was located on the Strelka.

The arrow of Vasilievsky Island with the Stock Exchange building is depicted on the Russian banknote of 50 rubles.

In 2006-2009, Russia's largest floating singing fountain operated near the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island.

The St. Petersburg wedding tradition is also associated with the Vasileostrovskaya Strelka - the newlyweds must break a bottle of champagne on the quay wall so that the family voyage is long and happy.

Note to tourists:

A visit to the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island will be of interest to tourists interested in the architecture of the first half of XIX century, and can also become one of the points of the excursion program while exploring neighboring attractions that are part of the architectural ensemble - buildings, northern and southern warehouses (where the Central Museum of Soil Science and the Zoological Museum are respectively located). In addition, next to the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island there are

The Spit of Vasilevsky Island is one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles of St. Petersburg. It is the eastern tip of Vasilyevsky Island, from which two embankments diverge - Universitetskaya and Makarova. From here you have a wonderful view of the Neva, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, the Admiralty and the Trinity Bridge. It was created under Peter I, according to the project of the architect D. Trezzini, and was planned as a business and cultural center of the city.

There are magnificent architectural works here: the building of the Kunstkamera, the Academy of Arts, Customs (now the Literary Museum of the Pushkin House), the Twelve Colleges, now the main building of St. Petersburg University.

The dominant feature of the architectural ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is the Stock Exchange building, built in 1810 in the best traditions of classicism, designed by the architect J.F. Thomas de Thomon. On both sides of it are symmetrical buildings of warehouses (warehouses), one of which houses the Zoological Museum, the other - the Central Museum of Soil Science. V.V. Dokuchaev. The Exchange itself belongs to the State Hermitage. Her image can be seen on the 50 ruble bill.

There are two Rostral columns in front of the Stock Exchange building, which served as lanterns in the 19th century. Their author was also the French architect J.F. Tom de Thomon. The columns, decorated with the rostra of ships, personify the power and greatness of the state's navy. At their base there are four allegorical figures, according to one version, symbolizing the deities of the sea and commerce, according to another - the great rivers of Russia: the Volga, Dnieper, Neva and Volkhov. Currently, Rostral columns are lit during state and city celebrations.

On the spit of Vasilyevsky Island you can visit such museums as:

— Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography. Peter the Great (Kunstkamera)

- Zoo museum

— Literary Museum of the Pushkin House

— Central Museum of Soil Science. V.V. Dokuchaeva

The spit of Vasilevsky Island is one of the main venues for mass celebrations, holidays and events, during which a stage is set up near the Stock Exchange building, and the spit itself is decorated in accordance with the event. Strelka is a favorite place for walks and photographs, both for guests of the city, and for newlyweds and local residents.

The nearest metro stations: Vasileostrovskaya, Gorkovskaya, Admiralteyskaya.

Located on the very banks of the Neva, the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island has always attracted both residents of St. Petersburg and its guests. It is from here that the most picturesque view of the city opens. From the stone shore you can admire the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Hermitage and the Admiralty.

On the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island, a tradition has developed to hold weddings and commemorative celebrations. And just recently there was another reason to explore the area. In 2003, a memorial sign was installed here in honor of the tercentenary of St. Petersburg, donated by the city customs service. The sign is a bronze circle with a diameter of 240 centimeters, located on a granite pedestal. The plate depicts buildings that create the architectural ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island.

The solemn opening of the memorial sign took place on November 14, 2003. The main architect of the unique monument was Yuri Anatolyevich Nikitin, historian and professor, author of several books on the history of architecture. The sculptors who brought the idea to life were Alexander Sergeevich Kunatz and Dmitry Mikhailovich Nikitin. Alexander Vasilyevich Timofeev was chosen as the designer of the bronze bas-relief.

In addition to the 300th anniversary of the Northern capital, the commemorative sign symbolizes another historical event. On November 12, 1703, the first merchant ship from Holland delivered a cargo of wine and salt to St. Petersburg. This date is considered the founding day of the Northwestern Customs Service.

The place for the installation of the bronze monument was not chosen by chance. It was in the buildings located on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island that the customs service of St. Petersburg was once located. Each building is captured and signed.

History of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

This architectural ensemble is located in the easternmost part of Vasilyevsky Island. Going down to the banks of the Neva, it blends harmoniously into the landscape and is the standard of St. Petersburg architecture.

The history of the island begins in the twenties of the XVIII century. It was then that Peter I decided to organize a business center of the city here. According to the project of Domenico Trezzini, the Building of the Twelve Collegia and the Stock Exchange were built. Also in the plan of the chief architect were designated Gostiny Dvor and the Cathedral.

The building of the Twelve Colleges was made in the style of Peter the Great Baroque and was intended to house the highest bodies of state power. Today it houses St. Petersburg State University and the Pedagogical Institute.

A separate building was built to accommodate the City Exchange, but soon the Naval Museum was organized in it, which existed there until 2010 and then moved to the Kryukov barracks. Now the issue of using the former building of the Exchange has not been resolved. At the same time, buildings were erected for the Kunstkamera and the Academy of Sciences. Port services were located on the northern bank along the Malaya Nevka River: customs, a warehouse and a trade exchange.

In the second half of the 18th century, the untouched territory of Vasilyevsky Island was determined for the construction of the northern warehouse, which became the main building of the Exchange Building. Today, the premises house the Museum of Soil Science named after Vasily Vasilyevich Dokuchaev. The author of the northern warehouse project was Giacomo Quarenghi, a member of the Imperial Academy of Arts.

Since 1805, the construction of the building of the new Stock Exchange began. Main architector Jean Francois Thomas de Thomon executed it in the antique style and decorated the area in front of it with two Rostral columns. At the foot of each of them are statues symbolizing the great Russian rivers: the Neva, Dnieper, Volga and Volkhov. In front of the Exchange building, a square was laid out, consisting of an eastern and a western part. The first of them is called Exchange Square, and the second - Kollezhskaya.

At the same time, Cape Strelka of Vasilievsky Island was being developed. The built stone ledge above the water served as a front pier. For its construction, soil was poured into the bed of the Neva, the total height of the embankment was 123 and a half meters.

The flood that occurred in 1824 severely destroyed the Exchange building. To restore the structure, the northern and southern warehouses had to be rebuilt.

For a long time, the architectural ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island remained untouched. But modern high-rise buildings gradually destroyed the harmony created several centuries ago. Developers and local authorities are waging an uncompromising struggle for the territory.

Rostral columns got their name in connection with the ancient Greek tradition of decorating structures of this kind with a military trophy, in this case the prow of a ship, which in Latin sounds like "rostra". This symbol personified the power and strength of the country.

Walking along Vasilyevsky Island, you can wander into the narrowest street in St. Petersburg - Repin Street. Its width is only 5 meters and 60 centimeters. Previously, it was called Pesochny and Solovyevsky lane. The road appeared due to its favorable location on a hill, where it was convenient to lay a trail.

Another interesting fact lies in the fact that the image of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is imprinted on a fifty-ruble bill. On the one hand, there is a statue of the Neva at the foot of the Rostral Column, on the other, a view of the Strelka from the river. If you look closely at the foot of the sculpture, you can see the erroneously depicted sixth toe.

Around the Strelka of Vasilievsky Island there is more than one legend. Among them is one that says that the lions located near the descent to the river help to get married. In order for a girl to find a groom, she must kiss the animal's nose. And for those who have already found their happiness, a ring sticking out of the lion's mouth will help strengthen relationships. To do this, it is enough to hold on to him together.

You can see St. Petersburg from the most picturesque angle by walking along the Spit of Vasilevsky Island. Here is located a large number of historical buildings museums. Guests and residents of the city will certainly get the best impressions.

WITH Strelka of Vasilyevsky Island is one of the most fascinating architectural ensembles of the city.
Unfortunately (in my opinion) it was ruined by bridges - Palace and Birzhev, but what to do, the city needs highways ...

Vasilyevsky Island began to be built up in the time of Peter the Great.

Plan of the estate of A. D. Menshikov on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. 1714. Fixation drawing.

In 1716, the project of the architect Domenico Trezzini was approved, according to which a closed trapezoidal square, surrounded by residential buildings along the perimeter, was to appear here. However, soon Peter I decided to make the arrow the cultural and business center of the city.

In the 1730s, the port was transferred here and these buildings housed the stock exchange, customs, and warehouses of goods. Between the academic and commercial complexes there was a vast undeveloped area.

Creation date: con. 18th century Fragment of the drawing "Games on the Frozen Neva".

In the 1750s, a special pavilion for the Gottorp Globe was erected in the middle of the square according to the project of I. Ya. Schumacher. According to the plan of 1767, approved by the Commission on the stone structure of St. Petersburg and Moscow, the empty territory should have been turned into a horseshoe-shaped square. For six years from 1783 to 1789, according to the project of Giacomo Quarenghi, on the banks of the Bolshaya Neva, the main building of the Academy of Sciences was built, as well as the concave part of the northern warehouse (1795-1797).

Chesky I., View of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg from the Neva. 1816 Copy from a painting by M. Shotoshnikov.

Between 1805 and 1810, the architect Thomas de Thomon built a new Stock Exchange on an empty square between these districts to meet the needs of Russia's growing economy. The majestic building is made in the style of ancient temples. In front of the building, the architect installed two Rostral columns with allegorical figures at the foot, personifying the great Russian rivers: the Volga, Dnieper, Neva and Volkhov. The ensemble is completed by the buildings of the southern and northern warehouses and customs, diverging from the Stock Exchange, built in 1826-1832 by the architect I.F. Lukini.

The arrow was extended by 150 m due to the filling of soil, the resulting area was called Birzhevaya.

The rostral columns were erected in 1810 according to the design of the French architect Thomas de Thomon, who decorated them with the rostra of ships. This personification shows the power and greatness of the state’s navy, and also refers to the ancient Roman custom of decorating columns with rostra (lat. rostra, plural of lat. rostrum, the bow of the ship) of defeated (trophy) enemy ships. Their discovery took place in 1815.

The sculptures at the Rostral Columns were made by the sculptors J. Kamberlain and J. Thib. Bronze was first chosen as the material for the sculptures, but due to the complexity of its processing, the choice fell on Pudost limestone, mined in the village of Pudost, Gatchina region. Soft and elastic in the ground, limestone hardens quickly after being brought to the surface, creating a strong and majestic foundation. Cumberlain made a male figure at the northern column, the rest were created by J. Thibault.

Initially, they were lighthouses, and in the 19th century, the columns served as port lights. northern capital. It was hard to get confused

Inside each column is a spiral staircase leading to the top observation deck with a huge bowl-lamp and a metal tripod holding it. Hemp oil was poured into the bowl, giving a huge pillar of fire, showing the way to ships in the darkness of the night or a veil of fog. So it was until 1896, in which electricity was brought to the columns.

In 1957, gas was supplied to the lighthouses for reasons of economy, and now today they are lit only on special solemn occasions.

At the foot of the columns there are two male and two female figures, which, according to a common hypothesis, allegorically represent the great rivers of Russia: at the northern column - the Volga and Dnieper, at the southern - the Neva and Volkhov.

However, this hypothesis has no justification, Thomas de Thomon himself wrote: "the base of each column is decorated with huge figures that symbolize the deities of the sea and commerce."

Exchange building.

In 1926, the chief architect of the city, Lev Alexandrovich Ilyin, proposed to build a public garden on Birzhevaya Square. The decision was successful, the square harmoniously blended into the architectural ensemble.

A few years later, when the country was preparing to solemnly celebrate the 100th anniversary of the death of Pushkin, it was decided to name one of the squares in Leningrad in honor of the poet. The choice fell on the Exchange.

A monument to Pushkin was supposed to be erected in the center of the square. The anniversary of the death of the poet was celebrated on a grand scale, Leningraders sadly joked: "What a life, such holidays!"

But life, fortunately, has changed. A better place was found for the monument to Pushkin, and in 1989 Birzhevaya Square was returned to its former name.