St. Petersburg. Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

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

This is truly one of the most beautiful ensembles located on the banks of the Neva. Couples and newlyweds like to walk on Strelka. Tourists from all over the world come here to admire the amazing view of the city from the island. From here you can enjoy a stunning view of the Palace Embankment and the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Currently, the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is a very recognizable place. High red rostral columns attract the attention of citizens and guests of the cultural capital. But earlier, 300 years ago, not columns, but windmills towered in this very place. The buildings stood for fifteen years, but later radical changes awaited the territory. according to plansPeter the Great, Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg was the perfect fit 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 Domenico Trezzini. Here it was planned to rebuild the houses of influential people of St. Petersburg, the imperial palace, the central square, and also the building of the Twelve Colleges, the Mytny Dvor, the Academy of Sciences, etc. Unfortunately, the grandiose plans of Peter I and his great architect were 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, customs carried out its activities. The spit of Vasilievsky Island has once again become the center of the city's life. It was called the "place of the marketplace", "Dutch Exchange", "Vatrushka", "Bird's Conservatory". Thanks to trade, Strelka was famous throughout the country. Only here it was possible to buy various foreign outlandish goods, here sailors rested and ships were unloaded. In the nineteenth century, the coast of this island of St. Petersburg was expanded and strengthened, a wide pier was built here for the convenience of merchant ships.

The well-known lighthouses, decorated like rostral columns, by which we recognize the Spit of the Island, were built in 1810 in order to make it easier for sailors to navigate along the way. For a long time their lights indicated to travelersroad to the Bolshaya and Malaya Neva. The columns were decorated with images of ship prows and various figurines symbolizing the major rivers of the Russian Empire.

The Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is currently one of the most beautiful architectural monuments of the city. Here, in the square, an anchor was set up in honor of the tercentenary of St. Petersburg, one of the largest and most beautiful singing fountains in Europe was opened. The Museum of the Navy, the Central Museum of Soil Science and the Kunstkamera welcome visitors daily.