Memorial sign "Arrow of Vasilyevsky Island". Vasilievsky Island - arrow, rostral columns, stock exchange What will happen on the arrow of Vasilievsky Island

Spit of Vasilievsky Island (St. Petersburg, Russia) - description, history, location, reviews, photos and videos.

• Last minute tours to Russia

Previous photo Next photo

The Spit of Vasilyevsky Island - one of the oldest landmarks of St. Petersburg - was founded during the time of Peter I as a business, educational and government center of the city. According to the design of the Italian D. Trezzini, palaces for noble families, the Gostiny Dvor and the Kunstkamera were founded here in 1716. In the 30s In the 18th century, a port was founded on Strelka, and the manor's palaces were occupied by the exchange, customs and warehouses. After 100 years, the exchange building was rebuilt by the French architect J. F. Thomas de Thomon. The Kunstkamera, or Cabinet of Curiosities, is still in operation today.

What to see

The Strelka panorama is a favorite subject for postcards and photo shoots. In the center it is decorated with the stock exchange building with a colonnade, on the sides there are former warehouses, where the Zoological Museum and the Museum of Soil Science are now located. The highlight of this place is given by the rostral columns, which served as beacons and a reminder of the naval victories of the Russian Empire.

There is a square on Birzhevaya Square, in the center of which lies the anchor of the Peter the Great era, and a little further there is a memorial sign in honor of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. Trees with ball-shaped crowns are planted along the perimeter of the embankment. The Strelka offers a magnificent view of the Neva, Palace Embankment, and the Hermitage; it’s the best place to watch the fireworks from here.

Practical information

Address: St. Petersburg, Birzhevaya sq. Coordinates: 59.944259, 30.307137.

How to get there: by car - from Moskovsky railway station along Nevsky Prospect and Palace Bridge; from the Admiralteyskaya metro station 15 minutes on foot or by bus No. 5M, 191, trolleybus No. 7 (2 stops).

In Russian speech, an arrow refers to a long and narrow cape, which is located at the intersection of water streams. So, for example, in St. Petersburg there are several similar switches: “Malaya”, separating the Malaya and Bolshaya Nevka; then located on Galerny Island, and the most famous Spit of Vasilyevsky Island, which is one of the main historical symbols of the city.

This is truly one of the most beautiful ensembles located on Strelka. Couples in love and newlyweds love to walk here; tourists from all over the world come here to admire the amazing view of the city from the island. From here you have a stunning view of the Palace Embankment and the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Currently, the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is a very recognizable place. Tall red buildings attract the attention of citizens and guests of the cultural capital. But earlier, 300 years ago, it was not columns that towered on this very spot, but the structures stood for fifteen years, but later the territory underwent radical changes. According to the plans of Peter the Great, Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg was perfectly suited for the city center.

So, in 1716, a plan was signed according to which work began on the development of the area under the leadership of Here it was planned to rebuild the houses of influential people of St. Petersburg, the imperial palace, the central square, as well as Mytny Dvor, the Academy of Sciences, etc. Unfortunately, the grandiose plans of Peter I and his great architect was not destined to come true. After the death of the emperor, the construction of houses on the island was suspended, and people left the city. The only thing that saved Strelka was the trading port. Ships that came from distant countries were unloaded here, the stock exchange worked here, and the customs office carried out its activities. once again became the center of city life. It was called the “market place”, “Dutch Exchange”, “Vatrushka”, “Bird Conservatory”. Thanks to trade, Strelka became famous throughout the country. Only here it was possible to buy various foreign outlandish goods, here sailors rested and ships unloaded. In the nineteenth century, the shore of this island of St. Petersburg was expanded and strengthened, and a wide pier was built here for the convenience of merchant ships.

The famous lighthouses, decorated like rostral columns, by which we recognize the Spit of the island, were built in 1810 to make it easier for sailors to navigate their way. For a long time, their lights showed travelers the way to the Bolshaya and Malaya Neva. The columns were decorated with images of ship bows and various figures symbolizing the major rivers of the Russian Empire.

The Spit of Vasilievsky Island is currently one of the most beautiful architectural monuments of the city. Here in the park an anchor was installed in honor of the tercentenary of St. Petersburg, one of the largest and most beautiful singing fountains in Europe was opened. Museum of the Navy, Central

Located on the very banks of the Neva, the Spit of Vasilievsky 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.

There is a tradition of holding weddings and memorable celebrations on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. And just recently there was another reason to explore this 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 the buildings that make up the architectural ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island.

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

In addition to the three hundredth anniversary of the Northern capital, the memorial 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 North-West Customs Service.

The location 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 at one time the customs service of St. Petersburg was 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 harmoniously fits into the landscape and is a standard of architecture in St. Petersburg.

The history of the island begins in the twenties of the 18th century. It was then that Peter I decided to organize a business center of the city here. The Building of the Twelve Colleges and the Exchange were built according to the design of Domenico Trezzini. Also included in the chief architect’s plan were Gostiny Dvor and the Cathedral.

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

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

In the second half of the 18th century, the untouched territory of Vasilyevsky Island was designated 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 project for the northern warehouse was Giacomo Quarenghi, a member of the Imperial Academy of Arts.

In 1805, construction of the new Exchange building began. Chief Architect Jean-François 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 there 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 western part. The first of them is called Exchange Square, and the second is Kollezhskaya.

At the same time, Cape Strelki of Vasilyevsky Island was being developed. The built stone ledge above the water served as a ceremonial pier. For its construction, soil was poured into the Neva bed; 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 multi-story buildings gradually destroyed the harmony created several centuries ago. Development companies and local authorities are engaged in an irreconcilable struggle for the territory.

Rostral columns got their name from the ancient Greek tradition of decorating structures of this kind with a war trophy, in this case the bow of a ship, which translated into Latin sounds like “rostra”. This symbol personified the power and strength of the country.

While walking along Vasilyevsky Island, you can wander into the narrowest street of St. Petersburg - Repin Street. Its width is only 5 meters and 60 centimeters. Previously, it was called Pesochny and Solovyovsky Lane. The road appeared due to its advantageous location on a hill, where it was convenient to lay a path.

Another interesting fact is that the image of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is depicted on the fifty-ruble banknote. On one side there is a statue of the Neva at the foot of the Rostral Column, on the other there is a view of the Strelka from the river. If you look closely at the sculpture's foot, you will notice the erroneously depicted sixth toe.

There are more than one legends around the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. Among them there is one that says that 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 their relationship. To do this, it is enough to hold on to it together.

You can see St. Petersburg from the most picturesque angle by walking along the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. There are a large number of historical museum buildings located here. Guests and residents of the city will certainly receive the best impressions.

Address: Birzhevaya Square, St. Petersburg, Russia, 199034

Coordinates: 59.944101, 30.306671

Nearest stations: Admiralteyskaya, Gorkovskaya, Vasileostrovskaya

How to get there

From Art. Admiralteyskaya metro station. When exiting the metro, turn left to Malaya Morskaya Street. and right to Nevsky Prospekt. Further left to Palace Square and further to Palace Bridge. Across the bridge to Birzhevaya Square. Walking distance is approximately 14 minutes.

From Art. Gorkovskaya metro station. When exiting the metro, turn left through Aleksandrovsky Garden to Kronverskaya Embankment. Further right along the embankment to Birzhevoy Bridge. Across the bridge to Birzhevaya Square. Walking distance is approximately 27 minutes.

From Art. Vasileostrovskaya metro station. When exiting the metro, turn right along Sredny Ave. to the embankment. Makarova. Further right along the embankment to Birzhevaya Square. Walking distance is approximately 22 minutes.

Description

The Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is a historical architectural ensemble of St. Petersburg. One of the most recognizable symbols of the city and its popular attractions.

The arrow ensemble is made in the Neo-Greek style, i.e. in classical Greek style. Here are such famous sights as: the Exchange Building, Rostral Columns, Kunstkamera, Zoological Museum, etc.

Tell me, what could be more beautiful for a traveler than a wonderful summer day in a stunningly beautiful city?

I remember how, during my stay in Cyprus, one of our native acquaintances, showing some ruined piece of antiquity, repeated with a solemn smile: “This is nice!” (i.e. “That’s cute”!).

We looked at the fragments of the mosaic, the remains of the columns and nodded our heads in understanding. And then I thought that in St. Petersburg we have incomparably more similar and much more grandiose “Nices”! But do we look at them with the same unfeigned love and talk about them with the same delight as our dark friend? I would like you to have a meeting with one of the stunning places in our city on the Neva - the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island.

This is not just “nice”! And, as I think, that Cypriot would put it – “super nice”. I myself adore this place and will try to convey to you a piece of my admiration for it.

Story

Peter I was very fond of Vasilyevsky Island and prescribed its future role as a cultural, commercial and business center of St. Petersburg.

Origin of the name

How did this magnificent “nice” that I want to tell you about get its name?

If you look at the map, this is the Neva (2) has a division into the Greater (3) and Malaya (4) . Its embankments separate from here - Universitetskaya and Makarova (named after the famous scientist and naval commander). This is the name "Strelka" (1) and determines the location of the bifurcation of the Neva.

First transformations

This sector of Vasilyevsky Island is located on a hill. Immediately after the conquest of these lands from the Swedes, saw mills appeared here, where wooden blanks were produced for the construction of the Admiralty Shipyard.
I note that in 1707 Vasilievsky Island was promised by Sovereign Peter to his comrade-in-arms, Prince Menshikov, but already in 1714 he returned to the city (Menshikov only received the estate).

And Strelka was divided into plots for the estates of those close to the imperial court, among whom were the Great’s sister Natalya, Tsarina Praskovya Fedorovna, the Stroganov princes and other “historical persons”... Soon, by 1716, palaces and mansions of some of them appeared here.

But all of them were erected without a specific unifying plan for the construction. The most representative were the houses of Stroganov and Demidov. The approval by Tsar Peter of the first project for the development of Vasilyevsky Island took place in January 1716. It belonged to Domenic Trezzini.

The architect Leblon, who came to Russia from France, made his own adjustments in 1717, but they did not satisfy the emperor. The case was again transferred to Trezzini. The approval of the final project took place in April 1722.
Previously, in 1718, a building was founded on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island.

After the Sovereign approved the Trezzini plan, the construction of the Mytny and Gostiny courtyards, as well as the building of the Twelve Colleges, began.

I know that this architect also intended to erect a cathedral on Strelka. But somehow it so happened that a suitable sketch for the temple was not found. As a result, the cathedral never appeared here. The installation of the monument to the founder of the city, Peter the Great, who created Rastrelli, also “didn’t work out.” Today it is located near the Mikhailovsky (Engineers) Castle.

After the sea trade port was transferred to Strelka in the 20s of the 18th century, in its northern part there appeared: the wooden building of the Exchange, the Customs House (today - the Museum of Russian Literature - Pushkin House).

Ships dock here, and on the square there is a lively trade in foreign wonders, including even rare animals - parrots, monkeys, reptiles.

Among the luxury items here it was possible, according to the writer N.I. Novikov, to purchase “French swords of various types, lace snuff boxes, fringes, cuffs, ribbons, and all sorts of haberdashery items; Dutch feathers in bundles, pins and other fashionable goods; and from St. Petersburg they were already loading hemp, iron, lard, candles, linens, etc. onto those ships.” Also, several buildings were allocated for port needs on Strelka.

After the fire that occurred in the Kunstkamera in the middle of the 18th century, a new small pavilion was built opposite the building of the Twelve Colleges for the recreated famous Gottorp Globe. Since 1753, the square formed on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island has been called Kollezhskaya on city plans.

New stages of transformation

The next development project for the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island was partially implemented by the architect Quarenghi. A young building of the Academy of Sciences appeared near the Kunstkamera.

By the end of the 18th century, the still insufficiently organized appearance of the area did not fit into the overall landscaped panorama of the capital. To eliminate this shortcoming, a joint architectural project by the Frenchman Thomas de Tolly and the Russian architect A.D. Zakharov was approved.

In addition, the “Commission for the construction of the exchange building and lining the banks of the Neva with stone” was formed. By 1810, this organization was modernizing Cape Strelki. Its newly artificially formed oval-shaped protrusion served as the main port pier. Rostral columns were installed on the sides of the resulting square - symbols of the maritime glory of St. Petersburg. The new Exchange building became the architectural center of Strelka.

To the west of it was Kollezhskaya Square, to the east - Birzhevaya. Here the Strelka was lined with granite with slopes to the Neva, decorated with large balls of stone resting on pedestals.

I read that their creator, stonemason Samson Sukhanov, did not use any measuring devices other than his eye.

Since by the middle of the 19th century ships with deep draft were no longer able to navigate the Neva, the port was moved to Gutuevsky Island in 1885.

Arrow at the dawn of the 20th century

Gostiny Dvor fell into disrepair and was dismantled. Now in the Petrovskaya Aquatoria Museum we can only see its model (you can find out more about the exhibition).

During the same period, Kollezhskaya Square also disappeared. It was replaced by the building of the Clinical Institute. A garden is being organized on Cape Strelki (sketch by I.P. Wiese). The sculptural compositions were performed by D. I. Jensen. And the fence and benches were made at the F.C. San Galli enterprise. A significant event also took place in 1916, when the left bank of the Neva was intertwined with the Strelka by the solid Palace Bridge.

In the pre-revolutionary years of the 20th century, Strelka saw and heard a lot of different campaigns and speeches. In April 1917, Stalin spoke in front of the Exchange (there was even a memorial plaque on it in honor of “this fragment from the life of the father of nations”).

Spit of Vasilievsky Island under the USSR

The Soviet period began for the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island with ... festivities and theatrical performances. The famous production of “Towards a World Commune” took place here on July 19, 1920. 4,000 actors and extras took part in it. At the same time, the central hall of the Exchange was allocated for dressing rooms and costume rooms. Other performances were “from the same opera.” For example, “The Mystery of Liberated Labor.”

After a wave of entertainment events on Strelka, a vegetable garden was developed. He helped the townspeople a lot in times of famine. But in 1924, this innovation, as well as the square, were destroyed by flooding. The modern small park on Strelka appeared already in 1926.

Powerful granite pedestals with chains now acted as a fence. After another 10 years, the cobblestone pavement on Birzhevaya Square was replaced with asphalt. During the same period, in 1937, Birzhevaya Square was renamed Pushkinskaya (to mark the 100th anniversary of the poet’s death and due to the immediate proximity of the Pushkin House).

I note that during the blockade of the city during the Great Patriotic War, several anti-aircraft batteries were located on Strelka: on the cape and at the Rostral Columns, which were heavily damaged by enemy shelling.

The modern appearance of Strelka was formed in 1960, when a brother identical to the Palace Bridge, Birzhevoy Bridge, was thrown across the Neva.

The original name of the square (Birzhevaya instead of Pushkinskaya) nevertheless returned in 1989.

Our days

I would like to list for you the “surprising” and “interesting” things that you can visit and simply inspect while walking in this area of ​​St. Petersburg today.

Good traditions

I want to tell you about the interesting traditions that have developed around this wonderful place:

How to get to the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

You can get here from several metro stations, which I mainly use myself. I really don’t like traffic jams and waiting for ground transport in bad weather in the wind. Therefore, I will offer various routes, and it’s up to you to choose:

Finally

So I told you about one of the “nice” of our city, or rather, about its precious gem. And we have them - it’s not like there’s enough for one magic necklace, but there’s a whole fabulous treasury!

So come and choose what you like best.

It is such unique places as the Spit of Vasilievsky Island that culturally enrich us and delight us with the diversity of their treasures. And so, truly, we take pride in our country and its heritage, which today people all over the world admire - our “supernays”.

It is from the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island that perhaps the most beautiful St. Petersburg panorama will open before you.

Just don’t forget about your umbrella, our weather is very capricious.