What is on the arrow of Vasilyevsky Island now. Memorial sign "arrow of Vasilyevsky Island". Stages of forming the image of the arrow
The Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is one of the pearls in the necklace of the architectural ensemble of the central part of St. Petersburg. One of the most attractive places for tourists and romantics, as it offers a wide panorama of the magnificent city.
A little history of the island
The cape on the eastern tip of Vasilyevsky Island, the largest in the Neva Delta, divides the Neva into two full-flowing channels. He obviously got his name for the shape, resembling an arrowhead, protruding with a point into the river. The way the spit of Vasilyevsky Island is located on a wide expanse of water predetermined its fundamental role in the city's development plans. According to the plan of Peter the Great, the new city was to become a sea fortress and a commercial port. The development of the military and merchant fleet was the main task of the king.
Initially, the port facilities were located on the southern side of the City (Petersburg) Island, now called the Petrograd side, but the small depths did not allow efficient use of the port. It was decided to move it to a more convenient location. For this, the arrow of Vasilevsky Island was chosen.
Start of development
In 1709, the tsar presented the island to Menshikov, the governor-general of the new city. The prince's palace was the first stone residential building here. According to the plan of Tsar Vasilyevsky, the island was to become the center of the future capital.
The creation of the development plan for the southeastern part was entrusted to the architect Trezzini. According to his original design, the main square of the city, trapezoidal in shape, with residential buildings around it, was supposed to be located here. It was supposed to dig a canal connecting the Bolshaya and Malaya Neva. A network of parallel canal streets was to be laid throughout the island. In addition, the entire island had to be crossed by a wide shipping channel, starting in the western part, facing the Gulf of Finland, and ending in a wide harbor at the arrow. Not all of the architect's ideas were brought to life, but even now the main streets of the island do not have names, but are designated as numbered lines.
Implementation of building plans
But Peter saw the island as the cultural and administrative center of a young city, on the spit of which a large seaport would be located. In the new Trezzini project, administrative and government buildings became the basis for the development of the island. One of the key elements of the complex of buildings along the banks of the Malaya Neva and Bolshaya Neva is the building of the Twelve Colleges, consisting of twelve identical three-story sections. The building housed the highest organs of government. Now there are faculties of St. Petersburg University, a scientific library and some administrative organizations.
In less than two decades, other outstanding buildings appeared, from the construction of which the arrow of St. Petersburg's Vasilevsky Island began to take on its current form: the Kunstkamera, the Novobirzhevoy Gostiny Dvor, the palace of Tsarina Praskovya Fedorovna (wife of Peter's brother), which later housed the Academy of Sciences. The modern building of the academy was erected at the end of the 18th century according to the project of the architect Quarenghi.
Spit of Vasilyevsky Island: history of development
The eastern tip of the island has not been subjected to planned development for a long time. In the 30s of the 18th century, a seaport began to function here. But in 1885 it was moved to Gutuevsky Island, closer to the Gulf of Finland, since the old port no longer met the increased needs, and the fairway leading to it was complicated and did not correspond to the displacement of merchant ships coming from the sea.
The prototypes of the modern exchange
The first building of the exchange, which is now the main and central element of the architectural composition of the arrow, was built during the creation of the port. The structure of the first stock exchange in Russia was wooden.
As the port developed, the area of the building became insufficient, and in 1781 a project for a new stone building was created. Its author was the architect Giacomo Quarenghi. Construction was carried out at a very slow pace and after 4 years it was stopped.
The beginning of the 19th century was marked by new views on architecture. There was a fashion for ensembles. In 1801, the architect Thomas de Thomon proposed a new design for the exchange, which he made the central element of the complex arrangement of the switch.
Stages of forming the image of the arrow
In order for the ensemble to look harmonious, the location of the exchange building relative to the coastline had to be carefully calculated. The architect solved this issue by artificially creating the outline of the arrow. Piles were driven along the shore and soil was poured. As a result, the bank became higher and advanced 123 meters into the river. The outlines of the coastline have become even and symmetrical. The spit of Vasilyevsky Island has acquired a new shape.
In front of the main facade of the stock exchange there is a large semicircular area, which has a smooth slope to the water and is fenced with a granite wall. The embankment of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island served as a pier. It is decorated with wide gentle stairs and two granite balls.
In 1896, a square was laid out along the perimeter of Birzhevaya Square. In 2003, a new attraction appeared in the square - an 18th-century anchor raised from the bottom of the Neva near the Skipper Canal.
The columns on the spit of Vasilyevsky Island were conceived by Thomas de Thomon as port beacons and performed this function until 1885. They were installed in 1810. The columns are decorated with rostra - nasal ornaments, from which they got their name. In our time, the fire on the rostral columns is lit on holidays.
The facades of the stock exchange building, built in the spirit of the temples of Ancient Greece, are decorated with sculptural groups depicting sea gods. According to the general style in which the arrow of Vasilevsky Island was shaped, the rostral columns are also decorated with allegorical sculptures depicting sea deities.
The final feature of the creation of the ensemble was the construction of the northern and southern warehouses, which have the same architectural design. Now the zoological museum is located in the southern warehouse, and the museum of soil science is located in the northern one. Their construction ended in 1832.
arrow today
The paved embankment descending directly to the water is a favorite place for walks of the townspeople and guests of the city. It is also a place of pilgrimage for newlyweds. The granite wall enclosing the embankment is decorated with stone muzzles of lions holding copper rings in their mouths. According to the established tradition, it is necessary to hold on to the ring so that the married life is long and happy. Girls who want to get married are advised to kiss a lion on the nose. Citywide holidays, folk festivals, concerts are held on the square.
Vasilyevsky Island, Strelka (St. Petersburg) are known all over the world. The panorama of the architectural ensemble is one of the most popular views and serves as the hallmark of the city. His image is located on the fifty-ruble bill.
- this is the arrow of the Neva, the eastern tip of Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg. On the arrow is Birzhevoy Square.
In front of the spit of Vasilyevsky Island is the widest place on the Neva - here it is over a kilometer. Currently, the arrow of Vasilyevsky Island is one of the main attractions of the city, it is very popular with residents of the city and tourists. On Birzhevaya Square, citywide holidays, folk festivals and concerts are held.
History of Strelka
The construction of the arrow began under Peter the Great. The Exchange building, customs, warehouses were built here, the Gostiny Dvor was erected, and a port was organized on the very spit of the island. The space of the arrow was empty for a long time and only in 1767 it was decided to organize a horseshoe-shaped square here.
From 1783 to 1797 the main building of the Academy of Sciences was built, as well as the concave part of the northern warehouse.
In 1805-1810, a new Exchange was built and Rostral columns were installed. The buildings of the customs, southern and northern warehouses were built in 1826-1832.
In 1896, a square was laid out along the perimeter of Birzhevaya Square.
In 2003, a memorial sign "Anchor of the Peter the Great" was erected in the square, raised from the bottom of the Neva at the Skipper Canal.
The architectural ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island consists of:
- Exchange Building
- Exchange square
- Exchange Square
- Rostral columns
- Memorial sign "Anchor of the Petrine era"
- Memorial stone "Here was the largest center of foreign trade of the Russian Empire"
- Arrow Embankment
- Square
Statues of sea deities on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island
On the spit of Vasilyevsky Island there are 4 sculptures - sea deities made of Pudozh stone, which are allegories of rivers.
There are four sea deities denoting rivers:
- Neva,
- Dnieper,
- Volga,
- Volkhov.
However, there is not a single historical document that would indicate that the sea deities are allegories of rivers.
Spit of Vasilievsky Island in St. Petersburg. A beautiful and harmonious architectural ensemble on the eastern tip of Vasilyevsky Island, formed by the Exchange, Rostral columns, Birzhevoy Square, customs buildings, southern and northern warehouses in the first half of the 19th century according to the project of J.-F. Thomas de Thomon and I. F. Luchini.
The territory of the current Strelka remained undeveloped for a long time, despite the fact that Vasilyevsky Island itself began to be actively built up at the beginning of the 18th century under Peter I. At first, the city port was moved here, but later it was shifted to the north. The first plan for the transformation of the square was adopted in 1767, however, the first building - the majestic building of the Stock Exchange - was erected by the architect J.-F. Thomas de Thomon only in 1805-1810, at the same time the Rostral columns appeared here. The buildings, radiating wings away from the Stock Exchange, were built in 1826-1832, with their appearance, the Strelka ensemble was finally completed.
The famous semicircular ledge of the Strelka is of artificial origin - for its arrangement, soil was poured into the riverbed, which increased the length of the cape by 123.5 meters towards the river. Initially, it was intended for the front pier of the seaport, but in 1894 it was decided to organize a small garden on it with vases, paths and benches. The modern square on Strelka was created in 1925-1926 according to the project of L. A. Ilyin.
The Spit of Vasilevsky Island is one of the most favorite places for citizens and guests of the city, this beautiful place fascinates with the harmonious unity of water space and urban architecture. It is clearly visible both from the Peter and Paul Fortress, and from the Trinity Bridge, as well as from pleasure steamers and boats. Panorama Strelka is one of the most recognizable views of St. Petersburg.
During the years of the Leningrad blockade, the crew of anti-aircraft batteries was located on the Strelka.
The arrow of Vasilievsky Island with the Stock Exchange building is depicted on the Russian banknote of 50 rubles.
In 2006-2009, Russia's largest floating singing fountain operated near the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island.
The St. Petersburg wedding tradition is also associated with the Vasileostrovskaya Strelka - the newlyweds must break a bottle of champagne on the quay wall so that the family voyage is long and happy.
Note to tourists:
A visit to the Strelka of Vasilievsky Island will be of interest to tourists interested in the architecture of the first half of the 19th century, and can also become one of the points of the excursion program while exploring neighboring attractions that are part of the architectural ensemble - buildings, northern and southern warehouses (where the Central Museum of Soil Science is located, respectively). and the Zoological Museum). In addition, next to the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island there are
The Spit of Vasilevsky Island is an observation deck in the very center of the northern capital. The eastern tip of Vasilyevsky Island really resembles an arrow dividing the river into two branches - the Bolshaya Neva and the Malaya Neva.
Birzhevaya Square, located on its “edge”, plays an important role in the panorama of the city. Its facade depicts a sculptural composition headed by Neptune. In front of the exchange building, the architect installed Rostral columns, embodying the power and greatness of the Russian fleet. On the columns there are symbolic bows of the ships - "rosters", symbolizing the defeated enemy ships, which served as beacons, marking the edges of the island in the fog for the ships. Now, in honor of the big holidays, a fire is lit on the columns.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the architect J. Thomas worked on the creation of the square near the newly built exchange building. According to the project, they made a rounded embankment, arranged granite embankments and slopes to the Neva. It is said that the sculptor S. I. Sukhorukov carved the stone balls located on these slopes from the rock without using any measuring instruments.
In 1925, a square was laid out on the arrow, designed by the architect L. A. Ilyin. By the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, a relief bronze plan of the spit of Vasilyevsky Island appeared in the square.
Nearby is another gift for the anniversary of the city: a real ship's cat anchor, made in 1723 at the Olonets plant and found in 2001 on Vasilyevsky Island itself.
Strelka is a small cape in the southeastern part of Vasilyevsky Island, washed by the Bolshaya and Malaya Neva. The huge expanse of water allows you to see the arrow ensemble in all its splendor. According to the plan of Peter I, Petersburg was to become both a sea fortress and a commercial port. Initially, the center of the new capital arose on the Petrograd side, but the port near the Peter and Paul Fortress could not develop due to shallow water. Then Peter decided to move the center of St. Petersburg to Vasilyevsky Island, and, in particular, to its eastern tip.
According to the project of the architect Domenico Trezzini, in the southeastern part of the island, it was planned to create a square built up along the coastal arc with residential buildings. He even made a wooden model of this square. From the west, the square was to be bounded by the extended building of the Twelve Colleges, behind which a canal was provided connecting the Bolshaya and Malaya Neva. In addition, according to Trezzini's plan, the navigable Grand Canal passed from west to east of Vasilyevsky Island. Thus, he divided the arrow into two unequal parts. In the southern part, the construction of the main square was planned. The Grand Canal ended in a harbor, near which a majestic church was to be built. From the north, on the banks of the Malaya Neva, there was a mytny and gostiny yard with residential buildings. Myto is a duty, a tax for the import and export of goods, and a washing yard, respectively, is a place where imported goods were stored and a duty was collected. With the exception of the canals and the church, all other structures designed by D. Trezzini were built.
So, for two decades, the buildings of the Twelve Colleges (1722 - 1742), the Kunstkamera (1718 - 1734), the Novobirzhevoy Gostiny Dvor (1722 - 1735) and the palace of Tsarina Praskovya Feodorovna (wife of Peter's brother - Ivan), other buildings appeared on the spit of Vasilyevsky Island. . The seaport firmly settled on the arrow: dozens of ships and boats transported people and cargo across the water area. In 1781, on the spit of Vasilyevsky Island, under the leadership of J. Quarenghi, the construction of the stock exchange building began. However, its main façade overlooked the Winter Palace, and thus did not fully fit into the ensemble of the square. Therefore, four years later the building was dismantled. The project of the new exchange was developed by the French architect J.F. Thomas de Thomon. The building, made according to the type of temples of Ancient Greece, was built in 1804-1816. The attic of the facade is decorated with a sculptural group "Neptune with two rivers", and on the opposite side of the stock exchange - a sculptural group "Navigation with Mercury and two rivers". Since 1940, the Central Naval Museum has been located here - one of the oldest in St. Petersburg.
In 1826 - 1832, according to the project of the architect I.F. Lukini, on both sides of the Stock Exchange building, southern and northern warehouses were built - closed warehouses. The southern warehouse now houses the Zoological Museum. Behind the northern exchange warehouse, symmetrically to the building of the Kunstkamera (in relation to the arrow ensemble), there is the Customs building, also built by the architect I.F. Luchini in classic style. Since 1927, the Institute of Russian Literature - Pushkin House has been located here. The arrow ensemble also includes the Main Building of the Academy of Sciences, which is located between the Kunstkamera and the building of the Twelve Collegia.
According to the project of Thomas de Thomon, two rostral columns-beacons were also included in the ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. The columns were installed on the arrow in 1810. One of them served for a long time as a beacon for ships on the Malaya Neva, and the other pointed the way to the Bolshaya Neva. Lighthouse columns operated until 1885. The columns are a monument of naval glory, a symbol of Russia's naval power. The columns are decorated with rostra, each rostra being decorated with a figure of a naiad (river deity). At the foot of both columns there are two male and two female figures made of Pudozh stone, symbolizing the Russian rivers - the Volga, Dnieper, Volkhov and Neva. Birzhevaya Square was formed after the arrow was raised by adding soil, and the Neva was “pushed back” by a hundred meters. The Spit of Vasilevsky Island has been and remains a popular place for folk festivals. The arrow ensemble is organically connected with the spire of the bell tower of the Peter and Paul Cathedral, with buildings on the embankments of the Bolshaya and Malaya Neva.
