Initially, Peter the Great wanted to make Vasilyevsky Island the center of the capital. At the beginning of the 18th century, the first stone building in St. Petersburg was built here - the Menshikov Palace for Prince AD ​​Menshikov.

The Rostral columns and the Exchange building located here serve as a reminder that the city's commercial port was once located here. Later, Vasilievsky Island lost its original purpose and became the center of intellectual life. It is here that the university and many museums are located, including the first museum in St. Petersburg - the Kunstkamera.

Most of the first houses and temples have survived to our time, only slightly changed. Here are such architectural monuments as the building of the Academy of Arts (authors - A.F. Kokorinov and J.-B. Vallin-Delamot), the building of the Mining Institute, the House of Academicians, in which 26 great Russian scientists lived at different times, the Gostiny Dvor building, two stone sphinxes looking at each other and others.

• interesting places 8 ,
• square 2,
• streets 1,
• palaces 1,
• museums 2,
• monuments 6

4 km, 162 m

The warehouses, simple in their architecture, perfectly complement the architectural ensemble of Strelka

The Birzhevaya Square ensemble acquired its current appearance at the beginning of the 19th century. First, a new building of the Stock Exchange was built according to the project of Thomas de Thomon. And in 1826, near the Stock Exchange, construction began on two buildings of warehouses intended for warehouses and exhibitions of goods, as well as the Customs building according to the project of arch. I.F. Luchini.

Warehouses that are simple in their architecture complement the ensemble; the simplicity of the end facades facing the square does not distract attention from the Exchange building itself. The front facades of the warehouses, decorated with columns, overlook the embankments of the Bolshaya and Malaya Neva.

The building of the southern warehouse houses the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, founded in 1930. The exhibition part of the institute is the Zoological Museum, the official opening of which took place in 1832. In the building of the northern warehouse there is a museum of soil science named after A.I. Dokuchaev.

The central structure of the architectural ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

The development of the project was entrusted to the architect Thomas de Thomon. In 1805-1810, the architect Thomas de Thomon built a new Stock Exchange on the square to meet the needs of the growing Russian economy. But the construction was not completed due to the war with Napoleon. The official opening of the Exchange took place only on July 15, 1816.

From 1939-1941, the building housed the Central Naval Museum. The history of the museum itself begins in 1709, when Peter I ordered to collect collections reflecting the history of the Russian fleet. The museum's collection contains more than 1,700 models of ships, both ancient and the most modern, schemes and models of battles, battle banners, weapons. Among the exhibits is the "Grandfather of the Russian Navy" boat of Peter I.

At the turn of 2000-2010, a decision was made to transfer the Central Naval Museum from the Exchange building to a new site. It currently belongs to the State Hermitage.

In the 19th century, they served as lighthouses for the port of the northern capital

Architectural buildings in the center of St. Petersburg, on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. 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. The statues at the foot of the columns were made by the sculptors J. Kamberlen and J. Tib and represent the great rivers of Russia. The opening took place in 1815.

In the 19th century, the columns served as beacons for the port of the northern capital. Lighthouses were lit at night and in fog, and served until 1885. This was until 1896, when electricity was brought to the columns. In 1957, lighthouses began to be lit with gas for reasons of economy. Today, lighthouses are lit only on special occasions.

The embankment connects the spit of Vasilyevsky Island with the embankment of the Smolenka River

The Makarov Embankment is located on the banks of the Malaya Neva, in the northern part of Vasilyevsky Island. The development of the territory adjacent to it began in the 1720s, when a sea trading port was transferred here.

First official name received this bank of the Neva in 1776. The section of the highway from Tiflisskaya Street to the Kadetskaya Line in 1776 became known as Gostinaya Street, after the Gostiny Dvor located here.

After the transfer of the St. Petersburg commercial port, the organizations serving the port began to withdraw from the embankment. In 1952, the highway became known as the Makarov embankment in honor of the famous scientist and naval commander Stepan Osipovich Makarov.

Major repairs of the Makarov embankment took place in the 1960s. Then the highway was created almost anew. The project of the embankment was drawn up by architects L. A. Noskov, engineers A. D. Gutsait and B. B. Levin.

The first and largest national general literary museum

Historical building in the style of classicism, which is part of the architectural ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. The customs house was built in 1829-1832 according to the project of I.F. Lukini on the site of the Lopukhins' mansion. Since 1927, the building houses the Institute of Russian Literature and the Literary Museum (Pushkin House). At the corners of the pediment of the building there are three copper statues: Mercury, Neptune and Ceres (ancient Roman gods - patrons of trade, navigation and fertility). The lions serve as a good decoration for the pier, in harmony with its strict classical style.

The construction of the building was caused by the development of the port, which at that time was located on the arrow of the VO.

Compare the building of the Customs with the building of the Kunskamera. It is believed that they have something in common with their appearance, emphasizing the symmetry of the ensemble of the Strelka of Vasilyevsky Island.

One of the largest multidisciplinary physiological institutions in the country

Institute of Physiology. I.P. Pavlov RAS, organized in 1925, originates from the Physiological Laboratory, created at the end of the 19th century. Academician I.P. Pavlov, the first domestic Nobel Prize winner, headed the Institute. The main task of the institute was to study the physiology of the cerebral hemispheres using the method of conditioned reflexes. In 1934, new departments were organized and prerequisites were created for an in-depth study of the fundamentals of the physiology and psychology of the brain of animals and humans. On the initiative of IP Pavlov, research began in the field of neurogenetics.

In 1936, after the death of IP Pavlov, the Institute was named after him. The institute was headed by a student of I.P. Pavlov, Academician L.A. Orbeli (1936-1950). Studies of biochemistry and biophysics of the cell, evolutionary, comparative, age physiology, autonomic physiology have been developed. nervous system and physiology of the sense organs. During the years of the Great Patriotic War, the Institute staff developed applied problems. In the 50s. the institute became the largest physiological center.

At present, the Institute of Physiology. IP Pavlova is one of the largest multidisciplinary physiological institutions in the country. The main building of the institute is located in St. Petersburg, but most of it is located in the scientific town founded by IP Pavlov in Koltushi, near St. Petersburg. The Institute has one of the largest scientific libraries of the physiological profile, founded at the end of the last century in the Physiological Laboratory of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

One of the largest libraries in the world

It was founded by Peter I, although the decree itself has not survived to this day and September 1714 is considered the date of foundation - the beginning of the issuance of books from the library to readers.

The first public public library in Russia. The basis of its fund was the manuscripts and books of the Kremlin Tsar Library in Moscow, the personal collection of Peter I in the Summer Palace, the Pharmaceutical Order, the Gottorpt Library of the Dukes of Holstein, the Mitava Library of the Dukes of Courland, as well as book and manuscript collections of associates of Peter I.

In 1901, due to the dilapidated heating system in the Library, a fire broke out, during which more than 1,500 volumes of valuable publications perished. This event accelerated the decision on the construction of a new building for the Library. In 1910, the government estimate for the construction of a new library building was approved, in 1914 the construction was completed, but due to the outbreak of the First World War, it was transferred to the War Ministry, which placed the 166th consolidated evacuation hospital in it. The library moved into this building only in 1925.

A square in St. Petersburg, whose name is dedicated to academician A. D. Sakharov, a Soviet physicist, academician, politician, dissident and human rights activist. The square was named so in 1996, in honor of the 75th anniversary of the birth of A.D. Sakharov, there is also a monument to the academician.

Near the square there is the Building of the Twelve Collegia (now - St. Petersburg State University), the Faculty of History of St. Petersburg State University, the Faculty of Philosophy of St. Petersburg State University, the Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The building has survived to our times almost in its original form.

By the end of the 18th century, commercial buildings on Vasilyevsky Island, including the buildings of the old Exchange and Customs, were outdated. There was a need for new buildings. Under Paul I, a new development plan for the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island appeared, among the new buildings it was planned to erect the buildings of Gostiny Dvor and the New Exchange. In 1800, the construction of the building, designed by the architect D. Quarenghi, began. The building of the Novobirzhevoy Gostiny Dvor was built in the form of a closed quadrangle with a large courtyard.

Due to Russia's participation in the Napoleonic Wars, the construction of Gostiny Dvor proceeded at a slow pace, and subsequently completely stalled. In the second half of the 1800s, when Jean Thomas de Thomon began the construction of the New Exchange building, the building was completely dismantled. The resumption and completion of construction dates back to 1815.

In the XIX - early XX centuries, this Gostiny Dvor was used mainly for trade and technical purposes, mainly as a warehouse. After the revolution until the early 1930s, the building housed warehouses of the Leningrad police. Later, the building was transferred to the Faculty of History of Leningrad State University, which began work on September 1, 1934.

In 1936, a number of innovations were made. According to the project of Y. Ya. Ketcher, A. A. Zavardin and V. N. Pilyavsky, the interiors were radically changed. Before the war, the building of Novobirzhevoy Gostiny Dvor, in addition to the Historical one, housed the philological and geographical faculties and the military department. During the war, the building housed a hospital.

Now the building houses the Medical College of St. Petersburg State University. Novobirzhevoy Gostiny Dvor on Vasilyevsky Island has survived to our times almost in its original form, it is protected by the state as an architectural monument of federal significance and serves as a vivid example of Russian classicist architecture of the early 19th century.

The largest monument of Petrovsky Baroque

The building of 12 colleges is a building on the Neva coast of Vasilevsky Island in St. Petersburg, built in 1722-1742. to accommodate Peter's collegiums. The largest monument of the Petrine Baroque in size consists of twelve identical three-story sections. The overall project was made by Domenico Trezzini; the upper floors were designed by Theodor Schwertfeger. In the 18th century, the building was occupied by the highest bodies of state administration. After the collegiums were disbanded, they were replaced by the Main Pedagogical Institute and St. Petersburg University.

The construction of the building of the Twelve Collegia began in 1722 as part of the plan of Emperor Peter I to create an administrative quarter on Vasilyevsky Island. It was supposed that the Senate, the Synod and collegiums would be located here. Initially, construction was carried out under the leadership of Domenico Trezzini and Theodor Schwertfeger, and completed by Giuseppe Trezzini and Mikhail Zemtsov. The first meeting of the boards in the new building took place in 1732. The main building was completed by the mid-1730s. In 1737-1741, a two-story gallery was added to the west side of the building. In 1804, the Pedagogical Institute was located in the building, and in 1835 the building was transferred to St. Petersburg University.

In post-Soviet times, the building of the Twelve Colleges is considered the main building of St. Petersburg University.

One of the largest ethnographic museums in the world is the successor to the Petrovsky Kunstkamera, founded by Peter I in 1714.

Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography. Peter the Great of the Russian Academy of Sciences is one of the largest and oldest ethnographic museums in the world. It is the successor to the first Russian state public museum, the famous Kunstkamera, founded by Peter I in 1714. The Kunstkamera was created to collect and study rarities created by nature and human hands.

Today the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography. Peter the Great (Kunstkamera) RAS is not only an academic museum, but also one of the leading research centers of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The traditions of the great Russian ethnographers and anthropologists of the 18th - 20th centuries continue here.

The priceless ethnographic, anthropological and archaeological collections kept in the Museum are among the most complete and interesting in the world. They number more than 1.2 million exhibits, reflect the diversity of cultures of the peoples of the Old and New Worlds and are part of the cultural heritage of all mankind.

The Academy building is an architectural monument of strict classicism

The site to the west of the Kunstkamera was transferred to the Academy of Sciences in 1783. At the same time, the architect D. Quarenghi created a corresponding project, the house was built by 1787. The building of the Academy of Sciences has become a symbol of the classical style in the architecture of St. Petersburg. The internal arrangement of the building of the Academy of Sciences was completed only by the centenary of this scientific institution, that is, by 1824. By this time, a conference hall, board committee rooms, a physical office, apartments for academicians and employees of the academy, a newspaper expedition and other services were located here.

The length of its building facade is 100.97 meters. The activities of such scientists as P. L. Chebyshev, M. V. Ostrogradsky, A. M. Butlerov, I. P. Pavlov, A. P. Karpinsky, A. N. Krylov were associated with this building. In 1826, a development project for the quarter behind the building on the embankment was approved. Here, by 1831, a museum wing of the Academy of Sciences was built (Birzhevoy proezd, house No. 2). In 1828, the Physics Cabinet was transferred from the Kunstkamera to the building of the Academy of Sciences, which was transformed at the beginning of the 20th century into the Physics Laboratory. On the basis of this laboratory, the Mathematical Cabinet and the Seismic Commission, the Institute of Physics and Mathematics was formed in 1921. He was transferred to Moscow in 1934 following the Academy of Sciences. Gradually, changes were made to the appearance of the building of the Academy of Sciences. In 1881, the wooden fence between the columns of the portico and on the descents of the main staircase, made according to Quarenghi's drawing, was replaced by a metal grill. The small conference hall of the building of the Academy of Sciences is associated with the activities of V. I. Lenin. Here, in the spring and autumn sessions of 1891, he took exams at the law faculty of St. Petersburg University. Several rooms in 1913-1922 were occupied by "Pushkin House". In preparation for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Academy of Sciences in 1925, a mosaic painting "The Battle of Poltava", created by Lomonosov in 1764, was placed on the top platform of the main staircase. In 1934, the Presidium of the USSR Academy of Sciences was transferred to Moscow, where they left the archive and library, the Leningrad Scientific Center of the USSR Research Institute. In the building on the banks of the Neva in the 1930s, the Institute of Language and Thinking named after N. Ya. Marr worked. From 1937 to 1945, the apartment of the mathematician and shipbuilder A. N. Krylov was located here.

For a long time, the building of the Academy of Sciences housed the Administrative and Economic Department of the Leningrad Institutions of the USSR Academy of Sciences. The Institute of Theoretical Astronomy of the USSR Academy of Sciences worked in the Museum Wing in the 1950s and 1960s. Currently, the Nauka publishing house, the Research Institute of the History of Natural Science and Technology, and a polyclinic work here. A marble plaque was fixed on the base of the building, showing the rise in the water level in the Neva during the flood of 1924.

The monument is located near St. Petersburg State University

This place for the opening of the monument was not chosen by chance, because Mikhail Vasilyevich was a student of this educational institution, and years later he was appointed rector. The grand opening of the monument took place on November 21, 1986, on the day of the 275th anniversary of the birth of Mikhail Vasilyevich.

The figure of Lomonosov is made of bronze and mounted on a red granite pedestal. The height of the monument is 3 m. The monument is made in the traditional classical style.

The building that exists now was built by order of Alexander Danilovich Menshikov for his pupil, the future Emperor Peter Alekseevich (Peter II). Currently, the oriental and philological faculties of St. Petersburg State University are located in the former palace of Peter II.

Alexander Danilovich Menshikov wanted to acquire kinship with the royal family, so his daughter was betrothed to the still young Peter Alekseevich. It was on this occasion that on June 11, 1727, a palace was laid on this site for the future Tsar Peter II. The laying ceremony was attended by the author of the project of the building Domenico Trezzini and Peter II himself. Domenico Trezzini proposed a project for a spacious palace on the site of the house of Fyodor Solovyov, the butler of His Serene Highness Prince Menshikov, who was taken from him after imprisonment for non-payment of state duties. This rebuilt house formed the eastern wing of the new palace.

Traces of the original decoration of the building have not survived, but today you can still see part of Solovyov's house - in the basement of the eastern wing of the palace, the old masonry of the vaults has been preserved. The remaining premises of the palace were rebuilt many times. In addition, Peter II himself never lived here, since in 1728 he moved to Moscow with the government. And soon the young emperor died of smallpox. After the death of the tsar in 1730, construction on Vasilyevsky Island was suspended. Subsequently, the buildings went to the military college, whose representatives settled in the building of the former palace of diplomats and merchants from the East.

Only in 1761 the palace complex was completed and handed over to the first cadet corps. The architect I. Borchard worked on the reconstruction of the palace. At the end of the 18th century, the building on the University Embankment housed the noble bank and the coffee house of the British merchant Gray.

Subsequently, the Institute of History and Philology, the Institute of Literature and History, and the Pedagogical Institute were located here. Now it houses the Oriental and Philological faculties of St. Petersburg State University.

Currently, the so-called "Park of Modern Sculpture", located in the courtyard of the building of the Eastern and Philological faculties, is one of the attractions of St. Petersburg. Here you can see the monuments to Joseph Brodsky, Anna Akhmatova, Antioch Cantemir, academician Joseph Orbelli, Alexander Blok and other prominent people. In addition, in the courtyard of the former palace there are sculptures, legendary among the students, "The Little Prince", "Dachshund" and "Hippo".

The Manege is located on the territory of the former estate of Prince AD ​​Menshikov. In 1734, a wooden arena building for the Cadet Corps was built here according to the project of I. Ya. Blank. The building quickly fell into disrepair, and it was decided to build a new building. It was built in 1756-1759 according to the project of architects I. G. Borchard and I. Ya. Schumacher. The building of the arena consists of two buildings located in the shape of the letter "T".

Probably, there is no such person in Russia who would not have heard about the cultural capital of our country -. But not everyone knows about its no less interesting part - Vasilyevsky Island. Anyone who is interested in this island will certainly want to visit it. That is why it is worth getting acquainted in more detail with the sights of Vasilyevsky Island, as well as with its location on the city map.

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A bit of history

Vasilyevsky Island is considered the largest on the Neva River. Once Peter I wanted to cut the island with many canals, as was done in Amsterdam, but he never turned his idea into reality.

And there were many reasons for this, one of which was the closest associate of Peter - Alexander Menshikov. It was he who prevented the construction of canals and erected a chic palace for himself on this site. Despite the fact that the king issued a decree on the settlement of the island, the people were in no hurry to move here. All channels were covered. Vasilyevsky Island is the only place on the planet where the streets have two names at once. There were no roads to the island. And this was another reason why people did not want to populate this place. But the king did not want to build bridges.

However, since 1727, a pontoon bridge began to be installed here 2 times a year. Now there is even a memorial sign at this place. People had to pay to walk across the bridge. With this collected money, after a while, the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral was built.

Some time later, the bridge was moved, and the first Yablochkov lights were installed on it. A little later, the bridge was returned to its old place and kerosene lanterns were installed. For this reason bridge and burned down in 1916.

In 1850, by decree of Emperor Nicholas I, Annunciation bridge built. When the Russian emperor died, the bridge was renamed Nikolaevsky. The original name of the bridge was returned only in 2007. In Soviet times, the bridge was called "Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge". And the bridge that was built next to him was called his "son." Today, the "son of Lieutenant Schmidt" is called the "Big Petrovsky Bridge".

It is these places that are the main historical sights of Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg. Now let's take a look at the others. interesting places which are definitely worth a look.

What to see on Vasilyevsky Island? Photo

The island is famous for its numerous museums, which will certainly appeal to tourists.

Museums on Vasilyevsky Island and other interesting sights:

• House of Troekurov. Surprisingly, this small mansion has survived intact to this day. Troekurov's house can be called an example of buildings from the reign of Peter I. It is from this sight that one can judge what the buildings of architecture were like in the middle of the 18th century. The house was built in the 30s of the 18th century for the steward of Peter - Alexei Ivanovich Troekurov. In 1969 the house was reconstructed. Currently, the building houses an educational complex and the most popular hotel with parking in all of St. Petersburg.
• House of Academicians. After the opening of the scientific academy on Vasilyevsky Island, it began to be called the center of scientific activity throughout the country. Of course, academics wanted to live as close as possible to their work. That is why the so-called "communal house" was opened here. Many famous scientists worked here. Due to this, the building began to be called the "Indian Tomb".
• Icebreaker Museum "Krasin". This attraction is a true monument to shipbuilding. It was built in England in 1917 specifically for the Naval Ministry of Russia. It was then called "Svyatogor". In February 1917, this icebreaker arrived in the city of Arkhangelsk, but on August 1, 1819, unfortunately, it was sunk. Until 1952, 2Krasin was considered the most powerful icebreaker and he had no equal in his business. At present, the ship is a branch of the World Ocean Museum. Anyone can take a closer look at the ship attractions of Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg.
• Church of the Three Saints. This church was built by the famous architect D. Trezzini. However, no evidence has survived to date to support this. Church of the Three Saints was built in 1760.
• Church of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. This temple was built a little later than the previous one - in 1780. It is located as close as possible to the Church of the Three Saints. There is a legend that it was in this temple that Catherine Dolgorukaya was buried. In 1917 the temple was looted and closed. And in 1922 the shrine was restored and reopened.
• sphinxes. In 1834, the facade of the art academy was decorated with Egyptian sphinxes. These two sphinxes are the most ancient sights of Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg. Their age is more than 3 thousand years. Once these sphinxes decorated the alley of sphinxes at the palace of Amenhotep III. Sphinxes were found during archaeological sites which were headed by Janis Athonasis in 1820. The consulate of England was the sponsor of this expedition, so the British took the sphinxes. Soon these sphinxes were bought by Nicholas I for 62,000 rubles, and in 1832 these statues arrived in St. Petersburg and were installed in front of this art academy.
• Exchange Building. The building was built immediately after the transfer of the commercial port to Vasilyevsky Island. In 1730 a wooden building was built, and in 1780 it was decided to make it stone. Three years later, the plan was put into action. The main facade of the stock exchange overlooks the Winter Palace. In 1889, the first industrial exhibition was organized here, where products were presented only from Russian manufacturers.
• Griffin Tower. This tower is full of various legends and fictions. This is exactly the place that you should definitely visit when you arrive in St. Petersburg. Rumor has it that an alchemist once lived here, who secretly bred griffins. Someone even saw their silhouettes at night.

The arrow indicates the eastern end of the island. The arrow is a bright architectural ensemble that can enchant even the most sophisticated connoisseurs of everything beautiful. It is in this place that urban architectural structures and unique landscapes of the Neva embankment are intertwined. Here, by the way, is Repin Street, which is the narrowest, and the most beautiful street of Northern Palmyra - the 6th and 7th lines.

The most central building of the entire architectural ensemble is the Exchange building, which was mentioned above. The building is located on a square that was empty at that time. The Exchange building conditionally divided this area into two parts, which became bleaching areas:

• Exchange;
• Kollezhskaya.

The building itself is made in the style of an ancient temple. Rostral columns stand in front of the exchange itself.

In addition to the Central Naval, Zoological and Kunstkamera, there is the Central Museum of Soil Science named after V.V. Dokuchaev. Also on the arrow is the Literary Museum, which is also called the Pushkin House.

In 2006, a floating singing fountain was opened near the famous Sterka, which was the largest in Russia. But due to the economic crisis in the country, this fountain was closed in 2009. Today, this attraction is under conservation.

The historical appearance of the Strelka on Vasilevsky Island has been formed over several hundred years. And when high-rise modern buildings began to be erected here in 2008, the whole panorama was inimitably distorted. Because of this, a whole scandal erupted. Developers were then offered to reduce the number of storeys of buildings, but with official permission in their hands, they refused to compromise and declared that they would defend their interests in court.

In the west of Vasilyevsky Island, it is planned to implement a project for the integrated development of the territory, which is called the "Marine Façade". Regarding its scale, this project is considered one of the largest in Europe. Its implementation is supported by the federal and regional governments. Many experts say that this project will further harm the architectural ensemble of Sterka. But nothing has changed yet, so tourists tend to visit this place to admire it in its original form.

Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg is the largest island in the Neva Delta (4.2 by 6.6 km). At first it was called Preobrazhensky, and later it was renamed Vasilyevsky.

History of Vasilyevsky Island

Vasilyevsky Island is mentioned in the "census book" in 1500. According to one of the legends, this name arose on behalf of Vasily Selezny, its owner, a mayor from Novgorod. The island began to be developed simultaneously with the foundation northern capital at the beginning of the 18th century.

Architect J.-B. Leblon developed a project approved by Peter the Great. According to his idea, it was assumed that this area would become the center of the city. Many famous architects and sculptors worked to create this area. Here is the building of the Twelve Collegia (designed by D. Trezzini). At the beginning of the 18th century, 12 collegiums, the Senate and the Synod were located in it, and at present, St. Petersburg State University is located here.

The first residential buildings and temples appeared next to the Big Avenue. Most of them have survived to our time, only slightly changed. Here are such architectural monuments as the building of the Academy of Arts, the building of the Mining Institute, the House of Academicians, in which 26 great Russian scientists lived at different times, the Gostiny Dvor building and many others.

Not far from the building of the Twelve Collegia, a monument to M.V. Lomonosov, in front of the building of the Naval Cadet Corps - a monument to I.F. Kruzenshtern.

The Lutheran Church of St. Catherine is of great historical and cultural value. Church of St. Catherine- the current German parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The temple for 1100 seats was founded in June 1768.

Pedestrian streets on Vasilyevsky Island (6th and 7th lines)

It is generally accepted that there are 10 pedestrian streets in St. Petersburg. One of the most beautiful is the 6th and 7th lines of Vasilyevsky Island. The most beautiful part of the street is located between Bolshoi and Sredniy avenues of Vasilyevsky Island. You can get here by metro - when you exit the Vasileostrovskaya station, turn right and you will find yourself in the pedestrian zone.

In the middle part of the street there is a boulevard with growing larches and two fountains. Lots of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. In the middle of the street is a monument to Vasily.

Monument to Vasily

On May 24, 2003, a monument to Vasily was unveiled, designed by Grigory Lukyanov, a sixth-year student of the Academy of Arts. His colleague Sergei Sergeev joined the work on the monument.

According to legend, during the construction of the Peter and Paul Fortress, on the contrary, at the tip of the island - Strelka, an artillery battery was set up to protect the entrance to the Neva from the Swedes, commanded by bombardier lieutenant Vasily Dmitrievich Korchmin. Peter I sent him orders and orders with a laconic inscription: "To Vasily on the island." And after his death, the island was named in memory of Vasily Korchmin. Vasily, created by him, is made in the image of a bombardier lieutenant of the time of Peter the Great. At the end of the street you can see 2 temples.

Church of the Three Saints

The Church of the Three Hierarchs, named after Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, was assigned to St. Andrew's Cathedral, at which it was founded as a warm one in 1740 according to the project of Carlo Giuseppe Trezzini. This is one of the oldest stone churches in the city. In Soviet times, this church housed a knitting factory. On July 15, 1991, the church was transferred to St. Andrew's Cathedral, which uses it after restoration for early liturgies.

On February 12, 2001, the church was consecrated by Metropolitan Vladimir of St. Petersburg and Ladoga.

Andrew's Cathedral

At the intersection of the 6th line with the Bolshoy Prospekt, there is an Orthodox church of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, one of the oldest in the city - St. Andrew's Cathedral. The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called is the first Russian order established by Peter I in 1698. The badge of the order is located above the entrance to the cathedral. On the alley there is an 8-meter obelisk made of granite, built on the 300th anniversary of the establishment of this award (architects Kazankov A.A. and Sitnikov Yu.V.)

Spit of Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg

One of the most beautiful places in the city is the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island - the place where the Neva is divided into Bolshaya and Malaya, forming a cape. Two embankments diverge from here - Universitetskaya and Makarova. The Strelka offers a beautiful view of the Winter Palace, the dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Admiralty.

Exchange on Vasilyevsky Island

The central building of the architectural ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is the Stock Exchange building, designed by the French architect J.F. Thomas de Thomon in the style of classicism.

The facades of the Exchange are decorated with sculptural groups symbolizing the ocean, rivers and navigation (authors I. P. Prokofiev and F. F. Shchedrin). In front of the Stock Exchange we see the famous rostral columns (sculptors I. Kamberlen and J. Thibaut).

On both sides of the Exchange, the buildings of the Northern and Southern warehouses were built (designed by I.F. Lukini).

On February 11, 2010, a new exchange building was opened. In addition to the stock exchange, the building housed a business center and a bank. Due to the excess of the height regulations, after the intervention of the city authorities, the upper floors of the building were dismantled.

Museums on Vasilyevsky Island

There are several museums on the Vasilevsky Island of St. Petersburg, but the most famous is the first natural science museum in Russia (Kunstkamera). Previously, the entrance to the “curiosity museum” was free and visitors were even treated to wine. The Literary Museum and the Museum of Soil Science are also nearby.

Exhibition complex Lenexpo

How to get to the Lenexpo Exhibition Complex

• from the metro station "Vasileostrovskaya"
  • buses 1, 6 and 128
  • tram 6
  • minibuses 44, 309, 349, 183 and 690
• from the metro station "Primorskaya"
  • trolleybus 10
  • buses 6 and 1
  • fixed-route taxis 6, 44, 690, 120 and 359

Marine station on Vasilyevsky Island

By the beginning of the 20th century, the eastern part of the district was completely built up, and an industrial zone appeared in the southwest. Currently, active construction is underway on the alluvial territory of the Gulf of Finland, which will become the sea facade of the city.

Hello dear travelers! Vasilyevsky Island is the heart of St. Petersburg, the largest of the city's islands. Its streets are saturated with the history of the Russian state. And Peter I planned to turn it into a Russian Venice, but these plans were never realized. What to see on Vasilyevsky Island when you arrive in St. Petersburg?

On the streets of Vasilyevsky Island, as nowhere else in St. Petersburg, you can feel the atmosphere of the 18th-19th centuries. Some houses look the same as they did a hundred years ago, so when you get there, you seem to find yourself in the last century.

I don't want to choose a country or a churchyard. I will come to Vasilyevsky Island to die. I won’t find your dark blue facade in the dark, I’ll fall on the asphalt between the faded lines, - Joseph Brodsky

In summer, thousands of tourists come to see the main event of the city - the opening of the Palace Bridge, which connects Vasilievsky Island with Nevsky Prospekt.

And here locals not happy that the only way to get home at night is by swimming or by waiting for bridges to close. Recently, a night metro line has been launched, which delivers residents from one coast to the other during the period of bridges.

The weather on Vasilyevsky Island is different from St. Petersburg - it is almost always colder and windier here, so it will not be out of place to take warm clothes for a walk.

Development history

The history of Vasilyevsky Island dates back to the 18th century, when Peter I presented it to A. D. Menshikov. He also built a palace on it, the original appearance of which has been preserved to this day. In 1732 he was placed at the disposal of the First Cadet Corps. And since 1981, a branch of the Hermitage and an exposition from the time of Peter I settled here.

Active development of Vasilievsky Island began when Peter I wanted to build something akin to the cities of Europe.

In 1720, the architect Trezzini presented a project with parallel canal streets, in the spirit of Venice. The idea was accepted, but without canals, and the streets were renamed into lines.

By 1810, the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island was built on the eastern part. The port was moved a little later. They made a place for a cemetery. The Annunciation Bridge was erected. Opened educational and scientific institutions. Residential and public buildings began to be actively built up. Industrial enterprises began operating in the north and south of the island. Laid the first tram line.

In the 20-21 centuries, by merging with neighboring island Decembrists, Vasileostrovsky district appeared. Reconstruction of Bolshoy Prospekt. Highways were formed. Actively built up: the area of ​​the Gavan, the area of ​​the Western side, which is the sea facade of St. Petersburg.

At the mouth of the river Smolenka, after the construction of the Shipbuilders Bridge on it, it was planned to set up a park called “Window to Europe”, however, due to the start of perestroika, the project had to be curtailed. According to the latest information, the Window to Europe park project on Vasilyevsky Island may see the light of day.

Sights of Vasilyevsky Island

The first thing that guests of the island see is the Rostral Columns on Birzhevaya Square, built in 1810 and used to function as lighthouses.

From the very top of the columns, a stunning view of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island opens up.

Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

Strelka - the eastern edge of Vasilyevsky Island. This is a complex of architectural buildings harmoniously combined with the Neva embankment.

Here is the narrowest street of the city - Repina and the most picturesque 6th and 7th lines of Vasilyevsky Island.

There is something to see on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island itself:

• Building of the Twelve Collegia It was built in the Petrine Baroque style and consists of 12 three-story buildings. Now St. Petersburg State University and the Pedagogical Institute work there.
• Exchange - the central element of the ensemble of the Strelka of Vasilyevsky Island. It looks like an ancient Greek temple, surrounded by 44 columns around the perimeter. Until 2010, the Naval Museum was located inside, today the Museum of Soil Science still operates here, but the question of the further use of the building is still open.
• Palace Bridge 260 meters long to the Admiralty. Built in 1916.
• exchange bridge 250 meters long connects with Petrogradsky Island. It was completed in 1960, taking into account the proportions and forms of the Palace.

• Rostral columns built in 1810, decorated with bows of ships. Previously, they were used as lighthouses, so there are spiral staircases inside.
• memorial sign Arrow of Vasilevsky Island to the 300th anniversary of the city.
• Floating fountain complex size 70x70 meters. Max Height central jet - 60 meters. It works in three modes: music, light and music and laser show.

Big, Middle and Small Avenue

You can also take a walk from the Vasileostrovskaya metro station, moving along Bolshoy Prospekt.

Along the way you can visit:

• Andrew's Cathedral . In the middle of the 18th century, the temple burned down and a new one was erected in its place, in the Baroque style, which has retained its appearance to the present.
• Church of the Three Saints - the oldest church in St. Petersburg. It was built in the neighborhood of St. Andrew's Cathedral, so that in winter parishioners could visit a warmer building.
• Church of St. Catherine - built in the 19th century and did not operate for a long time.
• Church of the Icon of the Mother of God - resembles in appearance the St. Sophia Cathedral of Constantinople and only in 2012 became available for visiting.

Literally every building on Bolshoy Prospekt has a history, for example, house No6 or the house of the merchant Gromov. At the beginning of the 18th century, the museum of L.N. Tolstoy. After that, there lived a writer - N. Chernyshevsky, and during the war years - Tatyana Savicheva, whose stories about life in besieged Leningrad told about this terrible period of the city.

Today this building houses Spice Museum.

On Middle Avenue you will find:

• Famous museum of urban electric transport , where you can take pictures of expositions and visit inside the cars.
• St. Michael's Lutheran Church renovated 7 years ago. Parishioners say that the church has a good sound and one of the best organ instruments in the city.
• IN museum of geology over 1 million exhibits, including rare and expensive items.

There are not many sights on Maly Prospekt, but you should definitely take a walk along the streets and enjoy the view of the Church of the Annunciation.

University embankment

There are 4 embankments on Vasilyevsky Island at once: Universitetskaya, Lieutenant Schmidt Embankment, Makarov and Morskaya.

On the University there are a large number of attractions:

• Zoo museum . Its collection contains over 50 million exhibits. Among them are a stuffed adult mammoth, and a long whale skeleton.
• Kunstkamera - a gallery of rarities, which became famous because of the exhibits of freaks in alcohol, presented in the halls of the museum.
• Menshikov Palace built in baroque style
  times of Peter I.
• Rumyantsev garden with fountains and busts of Repin and Surikov.
• Academy of Sciences built in the late 80s of the 18th century.
• Academy of Arts.
• sphinxes on the pier was installed in the 30s of the XIX century. In fact, they are over 3,500 years old. The mysterious Sphinxes from Thebes guard the waters of the Neva here. These are the only sphinxes in the city related to the art of Ancient Egypt.

Embankment Lieutenant Schmidt

Moving along the Universitetskaya embankment towards the Blagoveshchensky bridge, you will come to the Lieutenant Schmidt embankment.

Walking through these places, you can see: the Naval and Mining Institute, the Church Holy Mother of God and the icebreaker-museum "Krasin", which was a participant rescue operation at the North Pole and the Great Patriotic War.

Mining Museum of the Mining University

The Mining Museum in St. Petersburg was founded on October 21, 1773, together with the Mining School, by decree of Catherine II. It is located on the second floor of the building of the Mining University. The collections of the museum occupy the best historical halls of the building.

The museum is an important cultural, educational and educational center of the university. Its collections have served as the basis for the scientific and educational activities of the Mining University for several centuries.

To date, the Mining Museum consists of 20 halls, the area of ​​​​which exceeds 4000 square meters. m. The museum's funds include over 240 thousand exhibits, some of which are unique and rare.

The museum is divided into 3 departments: the history of mining technology, mineralogy and geology. Visitors will be able to see collections of minerals and meteorites collected in the 18th-19th centuries.

Also here are rare products of the Faberge jewelry company, objects made of steel, copper and cast iron.

Working hours - Monday-Thursday from 9.00 to 17.00.
Friday from 9.00 to 16.00.
Excursions only as part of organized groups (students, schoolchildren, organizations).
Saturday: only excursions by appointment for individual visitors (2 groups of 25 people).
Ticket price - Admission to the museum is free. You must have an ID with you.

What travelers say:

My team and I went one Saturday on an excursion to the Mining Museum. To my shame, having lived so many years in this beautiful city, I have not been to this museum. It was a shock. The exhibits were striking in their beauty. As if plunged into the world of a fairy tale. Remarkably decorated showcases It can be seen that the museum was created with love. I really liked the girl tour guide. I fell in love with Charoite stone. Most importantly, the museum is free. Turns out you just need to sign up.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Located on Lieutenant Schmidt embankment, house 27/2. It was founded in the courtyard of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra in 1895. The construction was completed in 1903. The pseudo-Russian style gives the temple elegance and lightness.

The church is five-domed, built without the use of columns made of brick, concrete, granite, Radom sandstone. The architect was able to achieve an amazing combination of a monumental cathedral and the comfort of a house church. V. A. Kosyakov managed to harmoniously fit the building into the panorama of Vasilyevsky Island.

Accommodates up to 2000 people. Did not escape closure. Until 1991, it housed a gym, an indoor skating rink, bathhouses, and flower plantations.

Divine services were resumed in August 1991. Photographs were used to restore the unique porcelain iconostasis.

Museum Icebreaker "Krasin"

The Krasin icebreaker is a unique open-air museum, a genuine Arctic icebreaker that has covered tens of thousands of kilometers in all the oceans of the world in its long life. For more than a century of existence, the icebreaker managed to serve in the Russian and Soviet fleets, work as an escort ship and a research vessel.

In the last decade and a half, a rather aged, but still strong handsome man is moored to the eternal parking lot at the Lieutenant Schmidt embankment in St. Petersburg and whiles away his days as a living museum.

The years of perestroika became a difficult period in the life of an icebreaker. The lack of funding and even attempts to sell the dilapidated ship that had become useless to anyone almost led the Krasin to death.

Thanks to the efforts of caring people, enthusiasts, an organization was found that was ready to sponsor the restoration of the historic ship and turn it into a museum on the water.

Opening hours — Wed-Sun from 11:00 to 18:00 (ticket office until 17:00).
Mon, Tue - days off.
The last Wednesday of the month is a sanitary day.
Ticket price - Entrance ticket (excursion): adults - 400 r, schoolchildren, students, pensioners, children from 5 to 7 years old - 200 r, children under 5 years old, combatants, conscripts - free of charge.

What travelers say:

We were lucky, we got on an unscheduled excursion (they usually take place every hour -12.00, 13.00, etc.), we had an amazing guide - Diana Borisovna. The story was very interesting, emotional (on the part of visitors). They told the story of the icebreaker, its difference from other ships, it was possible to hold the helm (you can’t turn it - the icebreaker is working), knocked on the morse, looked into the captain’s cabin. They gave me time to take pictures. Everyone was very pleased with the tour, we will return in the summer for a walk along the upper deck !! (Were in the middle of March).

Other attractions

The Chapel of St. Xenia of Petersburg is the most visited place among believers. It is located next to the Primorskaya metro station, on the territory of the Smolensk cemetery. There is a belief that Ksenia helps everyone who asks her for help.

You can also walk to Lenexpo - one of the largest exhibition complexes in the Russian Federation.

And the sea station, located on the Naval Glory Square, is ready to receive any ships.

Bridges

The Blagoveshchensky Bridge was the very first on Vasilyevsky Island.

Later, Dvortsovy, Birzhevoy and Tuchkov appeared. In the summer, all these bridges are drawn in turn according to the schedule, but it changes every year, so it’s better to check in advance.

To get to St. Petersburg and Vasilyevsky Island, book your plane tickets in advance.

For online booking air and railway tickets, as well as hotels and tours, you can use the site Ozon.Travel.

Here you will also receive information about payment for the order and delivery of tickets, fares, availability of seats.

Have you been to Vasilyevsky Island? Maybe we missed something? Add your routes in the comments.

See you!

On this seemingly small piece of land, in all its diversity, with all its ups and downs, the history of the Russian state, starting from the time of Peter the Great, has been reflected. Every corner of Vasilyevsky Island is literally saturated with the spirit of those glorious years. Peter the Great, admiring the beauty of these places, even wanted to create a kind of Venice here, but the emperor's plan was not destined to come true due to a number of objective circumstances.

Vasilyevsky Island is indeed a very interesting, unusual place. Even if you set foot on its land for the first time, you will never get lost: the linear layout is impeccable, and this ingenious simplicity cannot but delight. He, like no other district of the Northern capital, is full of myths and mysteries. It is often called the "island of unsolved mysteries", behind the veil of which tourists try to look, in large numbers coming here from Russia itself and other countries of the world.

The beauty, uniqueness and attractive power of Vasilyevsky Island is reflected in many works. Suffice it to recall the immortal lines of Joseph Brodsky: “I don’t want to choose either a country or a churchyard. I will come to Vasilyevsky Island to die. I won’t find your dark blue facade in the dark, I’ll fall on the asphalt between the faded lines.

Pavilion 6 "Lenexpo"

History and modernity

In ancient times, when chronicles were not compiled yet, there were pagan temples on this territory, where the Magi performed rituals of worshiping pagan gods and magical rites. It was in the local forests, it seems, that the legendary Finn comprehended witchcraft, which - remember? - helped Ruslan save Lyudmila from the spell of Naina and Chernomor. Vasilyevsky Island somehow attracted all sorts of mysterious and dark personalities who rushed here after the founding of St. Petersburg. Basically, they were magicians, sorcerers and soothsayers of all stripes.

Until 1715, the area was practically not built up. At the beginning of the XVIII century, its western side was turned into a real cemetery of the first builders of the Northern capital. Unable to withstand inhuman working conditions, they died by the hundreds and thousands, and this page is perhaps the most unattractive in the entire history of the island. Later, the Smolensk cemetery was founded on this site. The island itself was called the Smolensk field. Only by name is not a cemetery, but the Smolenka River.

The first solid building was built here in 1710-1720, and right on the banks of the Neva. They became the well-known Menshikov Palace today, which became the first stone building in the whole new capital. It was built specifically for Prince Alexander Danilovich Menshikov, a favorite of Peter I and the first governor-general of St. Petersburg. Note, by the way, that he became the first Russian nobleman who received the title of duke from the tsar.

Wind sawmills were installed on the famous Vasilyevsky Strelka. Prior to that, there was an Artillery battery here, blocking the entire river navigable fairway with the guns of the St. Petersburg Admiralty. Later, the island of Kotlin (the city of Kronstadt) was made the center of naval defense.

The idea of ​​Peter the Great to turn the island into the "Venice of the North" was embodied in projects developed in 1716, 1718 and 1720 by the famous architect Domenico Trezzini. The subsequent development was based on the network of parallel canals (streets) and avenues crossing them, planned by the Italian. Subsequently, the creation of canal streets was abandoned, but the streets themselves are commonly called lines.

The eastern part of Vasilyevsky Island has become the focus of the main buildings: both residential and public. They were also erected not far from the Bolshaya Neva embankment. The most famous buildings built at that time were the buildings of the Academy of Sciences, the Twelve Collegia and the Kunstkamera. In 1737, the island was first assigned to the Vasilyevsky part of the city, and then, on September 15, a separate Vasileostrovsky district of St. Petersburg was formed. In the 30s of the XVIII century, the port of St. Petersburg moved here. This “housewarming” predetermined, as it were, further, larger-scale development of the territory.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Strelka area became an important architectural ensemble. In addition to the capital's Academy of Sciences, almost all scientific and educational institutions are concentrated here: the Academy of Arts, the library of the Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg University, the Mining Institute and the Naval Cadet Corps. Subsequently, it was necessary to link Vasilyevsky Island with the side of the Admiralty. For this purpose, the Annunciation Bridge was built, which became the first permanent bridge across the Bolshaya Neva.

The construction of residential buildings, which began actively in the 18th century, was continued in the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the last century. At the same time, new public buildings appeared. The northern and southern sides of Vasilyevsky Island developed as zones where industrial facilities were concentrated. The largest factories of the then Russian Empire arose here: Baltiysky, Trubochny, Cable, Siemens-Halske, Siemens-Shuckert and a number of others. In the 20s of the last century, the reconstruction touched the western part of Vasilyevsky Island. In the 1950s, they continued to build up the Harbor area and reconstructed Bolshoy Prospekt.

At the end of the 60s, a new area began to form on the alluvial territories in its western part, which became a kind of front sea calling card St. Petersburg. The work was supervised by the architect S. I. Evdokimov, later the project was implemented by his colleagues V. N. Sokolov and V. A. Sokhin. The district includes the Sea Embankment, the center of the ensemble of the Square of Naval Glory, the Marine Station and the Pribaltiyskaya Hotel. New buildings grow as the alluvial territories appear and move to the west, which goes from Nalichnaya Street. Its name in meaning just corresponds to the concept of "embankment", although the street itself no longer goes directly to the sea.

In our time, the additional expansion of Vasilyevsky Island has by no means stopped: the government of St. Petersburg has set the task of increasing its area in the southwestern part by 30%. It is moving towards the Neva Bay. The first phase of the new Sea Passenger Port has already been put into operation, the capacity of which is used for passenger ferries plying between the capitals of the Baltic states, as well as cruise liners who are unable to moor on the Neva due to the large draft. Meanwhile, the public is concerned about the plans to receive automobile container cargo here from ferries. The authors of the idea are guided by the need to achieve all-season profitability of the port. However, its opponents believe that this will complicate the transport situation, and may also have a negative impact on the environmental situation in neighboring residential areas.

origin of name

According to one of the widespread versions, Vasilyevsky Island got its name in honor of Vasily Korchmin, the closest associate of Peter I, who commanded the artillery battery located here. This person was both real and legendary. Being an entrepreneur, he was engaged in the construction of fortifications, defensive and culvert structures. Korchmin, in collaboration with Yakov Bruce, developed new gun systems. In addition, on behalf of the king, he carried out a reconnaissance mission in Europe. He also organized festive fireworks. And when his Majesty sent him written instructions, the envelope invariably read: "Vasily to the island."

This version of the origin of the name sounds very convincing and could hardly raise doubts, if not for one “but”: history itself refutes it. When in the 30s of the century before last they carefully studied the old Novgorod scribe books, then in one of them, dated as early as 1500, they found a list of villages, repairs and estates located on the Neva. Among them, Vasilev Ostrov is also mentioned. The name was written in this form, and it is believed that it arose on behalf of its manager, whose name was Vasily Selezen. As for the link with the name of Vasily Korchmin, this is simply a historical error, voluntarily or involuntarily made by Andrei Ivanovich Bogdanov, the first historian of St. Petersburg.

Meanwhile, Vasilyevsky Island changed its name several times. Since 1500 it has been Vasilev Island. Until the 18th century, it was also known as Hirvisaari (translated from Finnish - “ Moose Island"). In the early years of the existence of the Northern capital, it was called the Smolensk field. In 1710-1720, according to the title of Alexander Danilovich Menshikov, it was called Prince Island, and in 1725-1727 it was renamed Menshikov Island in his honor. From 1727 to 1729, on the orders of Peter the Great, it became Preobrazhensky, since the tsar planned to place the regiment of the same name here. From 1729 to the present day, the island has been called Vasilievsky.

Architecture and sights

Despite the fact that the architectural appearance of the island is diverse, its dominant feature is the style inherent in the buildings of the 18th-19th centuries. And, most importantly, many of them keep the stamp of the time of Peter the Great, the bold aspirations of the first Russian emperor to modernize the country, to introduce everything advanced, European into its development.

So, one of the notable structures of Vasilyevsky Island are two 32-meter Rostral columns located on the sides of Birzhevaya Square. They were built in 1810 by the French architect Jean-Francois Thomas de Thomon. Previously, they acted as beacons for ships entering the port. They, symbolizing the power of Russia as a maritime power, were decorated in the Roman style with anchors and rostra of ships. At the foot are allegorical figures that personify the four great Russian rivers: the Volga, Neva, Dnieper and Volkhov. Internal spiral staircases allow tourists to get to the upper platforms of these magnificent monuments of antiquity. From here you have a stunning view of the Strelka and the sea.

At first, lighthouses were melted with coal and oil. Then electricity was brought to them, but soon they abandoned its use due to the high consumption and high cost. In 1957, when St. Petersburg (then Leningrad) celebrated its 250th anniversary, Rostral columns they brought gas and each was equipped with a powerful fiery torch 7 meters high. After a recent restoration, they were lit again - at a solemn ceremony on the occasion of the completion of work.

Another famous landmark of Vasilevsky Island is the Gottorp Globe, installed under the Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. However, in December 1747, it was destroyed by a fire that broke out in the building of the Kunstkamera. As early as next year, they began to recreate it literally anew: the workshops of the Academy of Sciences of St. Petersburg and everything necessary were made available to Russian craftsmen. In 1754, the globe was restored almost completely, and now this unique creation can be seen in the exposition of the Museum. M. V. Lomonosov. The latter is located in the building of the same Kunstkamera and is an independent department of the Peter the Great Museum of Ethnography and Anthropology located here.

Tourists do not ignore one of the oldest churches in St. Petersburg - the Church of the Three Hierarchs, founded at the beginning of the 18th century and being one of the oldest in the whole city. And the Menshikov Palace, already mentioned above, built for one of the closest associates of Peter I, is now under the jurisdiction of the State Hermitage Museum, excursions are held there daily. The interior of the palace is striking in its splendor, and this beauty must be seen by all means.

Do you like visiting exhibitions and shows? Then you will certainly be interested in the Lenexpo exhibition complex, located in the southwestern tip of Vasilyevsky Island. This is in the historic area of ​​Gavan, on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. There are nine pavilions and many conference halls, meeting rooms and a number of administrative buildings.

The arrow refers to the eastern tip of Vasilievsky Island. It is the brightest architectural ensemble that captivates even the most sophisticated connoisseurs of beauty, because city architecture and the unique landscapes of the Neva coast intertwined in amazing harmony.

The central place in the entire architectural ensemble is occupied by the Exchange building. It was built in 1805-1810 according to the project of the same Thomas de Thomon. Located on the then empty square, it conditionally divided it into two parts, which became separate squares - Birzhevaya and Kollezhskaya. The construction fully met the needs of the rapidly developing economy of the then Russia. The building is remarkable in itself: it is made in the style of an ancient temple. The rostral columns, which we have already mentioned above, are located just in front of the Stock Exchange.

Of the museums, in addition to the Zoological and Kunstkamera, on the Strelka there is also the Central Museum of Soil Science. V. V. Dokuchaev and the Literary Museum, better known as the Pushkin House or the Institute of Russian Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

In 2006, on the Neva, just near the famous Strelka, a floating singing fountain was opened - the largest in our country. However, due to the impending financial and economic crisis, it was already closed in 2009. It is currently under conservation.

The historical appearance of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island has been formed over the centuries. During this time, he settled down, became familiar, and when in 2008 in the area of ​​​​the House of Culture. Kirov began to build high-rise buildings, which, according to many experts, irreparably distorted the entire panorama. A whole scandal erupted. The construction was called by public activists only as an “urban planning crime”. The government of St. Petersburg could not ignore these sentiments in any way, so it proposed to the developer to reduce the number of storeys of the buildings under construction. The high-rise building "Financier", built near the Palace of Culture. Kirov, the owners of the developer's company, on their own initiative, nevertheless reduced it by as much as 3.5 meters, which did not affect the views in any way, but reconciled them with the city administration.

Development plan for Vasilyevsky Island called "Marine Façade"

Transport connection

Blagoveshchensky and Palace bridges connect Vasilyevsky with the city center, namely Novo-Admiralteysky Island, and the Birzhevaya and Tuchkov bridges connect with the Petrogradskaya Storona district.

Four bridges connect Vasilyevsky Island with the Decembrist Island. Under the governor V. I. Matvienko, it was planned to build the Novo-Admiralteysky bridge between the 16-17th and 18-19th lines. However, the project was not implemented due to financial reasons. In addition, in 2011 the city court of St. Petersburg overturned the decision of the city government, which approved the construction project. As an alternative, a 6-lane Betancourt bridge was built, which runs between the island of the Decembrists in the Vasileostrovsky region and Petrovsky island in the Petrograd region across Sulfur Island. The bridge was opened to traffic on May 13, 2018.

The Blagoveshchensky Bridge has been completely reconstructed. After the repair, it was decided not to return the tram tracks, which had not been used for several years before. The Palace Bridge was overhauled in 2013.

Where to stay?

Vasilyevsky Island is rightfully considered one of the the most beautiful places Northern capital. Due to specifics geographical location it can hardly be called comfortable for permanent residence: it is cool here, winds often blow from the Baltic Sea. And yet, such features do not make it less interesting for tourists. On the contrary, travelers readily come here, walk with pleasure in its picturesque corners, visit sights and take a lot of pictures.

Of course, every foreigner, especially those who came to St. Petersburg for a short time, wants to rationally manage their free time and, as far as possible, spend it less on getting here. For accommodation, tourists are advised to choose inexpensive hotels located in the city center, closer to the subway. Getting off at the Vasileostrovskaya station, you can immediately start exploring these wonderful places.