Vasilyevsky Island population size

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 are trying 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.

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 today Menshikov Palace, which became the first stone building in the entire 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 district began to be formed on the alluvial territories in its western part, which became a kind of ceremonial maritime hallmark of 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 that are unable to moor on the Neva due to heavy 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 as “Elk 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, gas was brought to the Rostral columns and each was equipped with a powerful fire 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.

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 most beautiful places in the Northern capital. Due to the specifics of its 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.

St. Petersburg is the second city after the capital of Russia in terms of the number of inhabitants and importance. It is home to over 4 million people. The city itself is divided into 18 districts, the Greater St. Petersburg includes a number of small settlements: Kronstadt, Petrodvorets, Zelenogorsk and others. Due to the large number of islands in the city, there are about 580 bridges: cable-stayed, drawbridges and the most ordinary ones.

Story

The age-old question that interests many people: "How many islands are there in St. Petersburg?" There is no single answer to this question.

Initially, back in the 17th century, there were 25 islands, the largest of them was Vasilievsky, or, as it used to be called, Hirvisaari.

A hundred years later, when St. Petersburg began to actively rebuild, the number of islands is rapidly increasing due to the construction of new canals and channels. At the same time, in parallel, some channels began to disappear (they were covered up), in particular, dug near Vasilyevsky Island, in the place of its modern lines. By the beginning of the 19th century, the number of islands approached 70, and later 30 more were added.

How many islands are there in Saint Petersburg? The number reached 101 at that time, as evidenced by a map dating back to 1864. But by the end of the 19th century, their number was decreasing, a new Seaport was being built, and the central part of the city was being equipped. In the XX century, some existing islands increase in size, for example, named after the Decembrists.

In 2002, they called the number - 33, but these are only those islands that have their own names, that is, the small ones were not included in the list.

Island classification

To date, conditionally all the islands of the northern capital are divided into two groups:

• Natural - Petrogradsky, Vasilyevsky, Krestovsky and others.
• Artificial - New Holland, Kolomensky, Admiralteysky and others.

Naturally, the number is constantly changing.

Nature of use

Regardless of how many islands St. Petersburg now stands on, there is an interesting classification according to the nature of the use of the territory:

• With a developed infrastructure, on which there are residential buildings, office buildings, roads, for example, Bezymyanny, Petrogradsky.
• With limited access due to the presence of industrial facilities: Severny, Bely, Novo-Admiralteisky.
• Park areas with historical buildings: Yelagin, Summer Garden and so on.

city ​​islands

How many islands are there in St. Petersburg and in any city in the river delta? Of course, many. Each such piece of land has its own amazing history of appearance and development, regardless of whether it was created by human hands or by nature itself. On such shallows there can be the most interesting natural monuments or man-made, in other words, any island is an original place.

However, there is one feature in St. Petersburg, often tourists do not even realize that they are on some kind of island, especially if they crossed a drawbridge. And the schedule changes regularly, so before walking around the city it is better to take it with you so as not to end up on some island and not be able to get to the hotel.

Petrogradsky district

This is one of the oldest sections of the city, which was founded under Peter I.

The largest island here is Petrogradsky (5.7 sq. km). In fact, it is here that you can get acquainted with the history of the northern capital. It is washed by the arrow of the Neva, Bolshaya and Malaya Nevka. Partially, the shoal is very densely built up (from the side of Vasilyevsky Island).

The next on the list is Krestovsky Island (3.4 sq. km). It is washed by the Middle and Malaya Nevkas, in the western part it borders on the sea.

How many islands are there in St. Petersburg in the Petrogradsky district? Today, there are 8 together with Petrograd and Krestovsky, including:

Vasileostrovskiy district

How many islands in Saint Petersburg are in this area today? Just two.

The most famous is Vasilyevsky, its area is 10.9 square kilometers. This is one of the largest and most natural islands in St. Petersburg. On the territory of the shallows there is a harbor where the main port of the northern capital (passenger) has been built and operates.

There are industrial and residential buildings on the shallows. It is here that the huge Smolensk cemetery is located. There are also many parks here: Skipper Garden, Vasileostrovets and others.

The second island of the region is called Dekabristov. In the old days, or rather until 1926, it was called Golodai. The total area is 627.9 hectares. Its dimensions were significantly increased in the 1970s due to the reclamation of soil, and it was then that Volny Island was attached to it. Now Serny adjoins it.

Central and Admiralteisky districts

The two districts include 13 islands.

1st and 2-1 Admiralty. They are separated by the Winter Canal. The 1st Admiralteysky is quite densely built up, in the eastern part there is the Field of Mars. On the second island there is the Winter Palace, the Bronze Horseman, the Admiralty and other interesting sights of the city.

The Summer Garden is a small island, with an area of ​​only 0.12 sq. km. This is actually a park, in the middle of which is the Karpiev Pond.

Kazansky Island is a winding coastline that was once part of Pervushin. There are many buildings, palaces and temples.

Spassky Island is a densely built-up piece of land between the Fontanka embankment and Sadovaya street.

Nameless - an island with an area of ​​​​16 square meters. km, one of the largest in the city. There are two amazingly beautiful parks, a large square: Tauride and Garden by the Neva.

Monastyrsky (0.5 sq. km), has an almost perfect square shape. There are small enterprises and a monastery, a hospital. But, most importantly, the Metropolitan Garden, which occupies a large area of ​​the island.

Kolomensky (0.9 sq. km) - heavily built-up and densely populated.

Pokrovsky Island (0.4 sq. km), is also densely populated and has only one park area - the square of Turgenev Square.

Novoadmiralteisky - almost completely occupied by industrial enterprises. Also Matisov Island, which houses shipbuilding and repair shops.

New Holland - an island that once served for drying timber for the construction of ships, is now occupied by military warehouses. Total area - 0.03 sq. km.

Yekateringovsky (0.42 sq. km), formed only in the 18th century, is separated from the mainland by the Paper Canal. There are as many as 6 ponds and only 1 street.

Kirovsky district

How many islands are there in Saint Petersburg? The name of one of the small land islands of the Kirov region is Gutuevsky. Until 1798, it had other names: Round, Novosiltsevsky, Vitsasaari. In the period from 1874 to 1885, due to major reconstructions, the island radically changed its shape. Already in Soviet times, a number of other islands were attached to it, and now the Commercial Sea Port is located here.

Kanonersky is perhaps the most unique island in the entire city. This is a strip between the Gulf of Finland and the port. There are several residential high-rise buildings, and an underwater tunnel for cars.

Artificial and with an area of ​​55 hectares, connected to the Kanonersky bridge.

Grebenka Dam Island with only 3 residential buildings. Gladky Island is most likely a port complex built with the latest technology.

Dirty Island - located on the south side of the Tarakanovka River. This is, in fact, an industrial zone where the Hydrolysis Plant and other enterprises operate.

The Small Reserve Island covers an area of ​​2.2 hectares and is wholly owned by the municipal district of the Sea Port. The land is united by the Reserve Bridge with the Crooked Dam - an artificial island, no more than 1 kilometer long and about 100 meters wide. The region also owns the following islands: Lesnaya Gavan and Turukhtanny.

Kronstadt

How many islands are there in Saint Petersburg? It is not known exactly, but it is impossible to imagine without a port city called Kronstadt. Several smaller patches of land adjoin Kotlin. More than 44 thousand people live here, and in 1990 the Kronstadt archipelago was included in the UNESCO list. There are many interesting architectural monuments here: barracks, Gostiny Dvor, Arsenal, Italian Court and others.

Disappeared Islands

Discussing the question of how many islands St. Petersburg is located on, one cannot fail to mention the disappeared shallows.

Cotton Island. It is believed that it was filled up in the 60s. However, it is no longer on the plans of 1947.

There are written confirmations of the existence of this island dating back to 1842 - this is Galerny Island. He disappeared from the maps due to joining Kolomenskoye and partial backfilling of one of the branches of the Fontanka River.

Modern Uralskaya Street was once Gonoropulo Island. It was named after the only inhabitant. According to some sources, the executed Decembrists were buried here in the 19th century.

The territory of Kakhovskogo Lane and KIM Avenue was once an island called Zhadimirovskiy. At the beginning of the last century, it was attached to Golodai Island (the modern name of the Decembrists), then the KIM stadium was erected.

Golden Island is a small shoal in the delta of the Neva River. On the old maps, it can be seen that he periodically hid under water, and after the confluence of all the free islands, he disappeared altogether.

Conclusion

How many islands are there in Saint Petersburg? Perhaps no one will answer this question now. But the city has always been compared to Venice, which has 118 islands. And according to some reports, today in St. Petersburg - 101.

At the same time, Tatyana Burkova, Associate Professor of the Department of Natural Sciences at St Petersburg University, claims that this is just a myth. She believes that there were so many shallows in the city only at the beginning of the 19th century. Today, answering the question: "On how many islands is St. Petersburg?", we can only talk about the number 42, while only 33 of them have their own names.

Vasileostrovskiy district Petersburg- one of the four central districts Petersburg. The head of the administration of the Vasileostrovsky district, Ilyin Eduard Alexandrovich.

Vasilyevsky Island is the largest in the Neva Delta. Its western side, facing the Gulf of Finland, is the central link of the "marine facade" of St. Petersburg, and the eastern tip - Strelka - is included in the panorama of the city center. The key position between the main water area of ​​the Neva and the exit to the Gulf of Finland predetermined its important role in the development of St. Petersburg.

About the area

Territory of the district - 2146.88 ha

Population - 211,048 people

In the Vasileostrovsky district:

• 30 lines
• 21st street
• 5 avenues
• 17 lanes
• 3 passages
• 8 squares
• 8 embankments
• 1 duct

Geography of the area

The territory of the district includes two large islands separated by a small river Smolenka: Vasilyevsky and Dekabristov (Golodai), as well as a small Sulfur Island. The total area of ​​the district is 1.4 thousand hectares, which makes it one of the smallest in St. Petersburg. Of these, the area of ​​green spaces is 118 hectares, 51 hectares of which are cemeteries. Rumyantsevsky, Opochinsky and Skippersky gardens, two small parks and small courtyard squares.

The total length of the district's streets is 90 km. The area of ​​the road surface is 198 hectares.

The development of Vasilyevsky Island began several centuries before the emergence of the northern capital. According to the “Census Salary Book for Novgorod of the Votskaya Pyatina” of 1500, fishermen lived on Vasilyevsky Island, there were arable land. The first fixation of the name of the island dates back to that time. There are scientific hypotheses explaining the name on behalf of several Novgorod posadniks: Vasily Selezny, Vasily Kazimir, Vasily Ananyin. There is a version about the origin of the name on behalf of one of the first settlers of the island - a certain fisherman Vasily. Settlements existed along the Malaya Neva, near the mouth of the Smolenka and on the right bank of the Smolenka. In the 17th century, under Swedish rule, the island also had the name Dammarholm - Pond Island. Probably, they meant ponds formed on the tributaries of the Smolenka. The island itself belonged at that time to the Swedish commander J. Delagardi, whose manor was located on the Strelka. There was also a Finnish name for the island: Hirvisaari - Elk Island. In a transformed form, it is found in documents as the name of the village of Girvisaria, where pilots lived until 1712.

Soon after the founding of St. Petersburg, the island was again called Vasilievsky. According to the historian A. Bogdanov, Peter I sent orders to the artillery battery of Vasily Korchmin, who stood on the Strelka, with a laconic inscription "To Vasily on the island." So Vasily Korchmin, with his name, contributed to the revival of the old toponym. From 1704 to 1714 the island was owned by the Governor General Petersburg Prince A.D. Menshikov, hence the name Princely or Menshikov. And later, from 1727 to 1730, there was an official name - Preobrazhensky Island. According to the administrative division of St. Petersburg, since 1737, the territories of Vasilyevsky and the neighboring Goloday Island were part of the police department of Vasilyevsky.

Origin of the name of a part of Vasilyevsky Island - Golodai Islands

There are several versions about the origin of the name of the island. One of them traces it to the Swedish word halaua, which means willow. A number of works indicate that the name "Starve" arose in connection with the inaccurate pronunciation of the name of the English doctor Thomas Holliday, who owned a plot of land on the island in the 18th century. In others, the name of the doctor is given differently - Matthews Galliday. The sound change (Starve instead of Holliday) was the result of folk etymology - a rethinking of a little-known word and replacing it with a more understandable one. The current name was given in the 1920s, as it was assumed that the bodies of the executed leaders of the Decembrist uprising were buried here.

The uniqueness of the Vasileostrovsky district lies in its island status - it is completely located on one island (in fact, it is hardly possible to consider the island of the Decembrists and small islands separated by small rivers as something separate) and has only water borders with other areas of the city.

You should definitely visit Vasilyevsky Island. Sometimes it is called Petersburg in the square, because everything that makes this city so unusual is concentrated on it. You can spend several days on a thorough inspection of the island. It is always a little colder there than in other areas of St. Petersburg, which is not famous for good weather and high temperatures, so you should dress warmly for walking. The straight streets and avenues of the island are blown through by the winds.

How to get to Vasilyevsky Island

You can get to Vasilyevsky Island by metro. These will be the Primorskaya, Sportivnaya and Vasileostrovskaya stops. For sightseeing of the main sights, the last station is preferable.

You can get to the island by car, bus, trolleybus or tram along 4 bridges, swim by boat or ship to the Marine Station. Check the schedule for the bridges in advance so that there are no troubles when returning.

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Middle Avenue

The name Sredniy Prospekt in different years was also carried by other streets. For example, Mayakovsky, Degtyarnaya, Klinsky Prospekt and others. Today, walking along Sredniy Prospekt of Vasilyevsky Island, you can see:

Built in 1732. The first parishioners were cadets, officers and teachers of the school. In 1874, it was completely rebuilt, as the old building could not accommodate everyone. Residents of the city of that time noted that the temple had excellent acoustics, rich decoration and the best organ in St. Petersburg. During the Soviet period, a toy factory worked in the building for a long time. The church was returned to believers in 1992. Restoration work completed in 2010.

It was established by Nicholas II. Today, its funds contain about a million exhibits, among which there are a lot of valuable and unique ones.

Museum of Urban Electric Transport. There are three expositions in total. In the interactive part, you can enter any carriages and take pictures for free.

Over time, Sredniy Prospekt Vasilyevsky Island may be made completely pedestrian, leaving only a lane for public transport. This will pass gradually. According to the scheme of the committee of transport, the transition to a completely pedestrian zone will be carried out approximately by 2020.

Small prospect

Maly Prospekt on Vasilyevsky Island was built at the beginning of the 19th century. There are not many attractions here:

It is located on the corner of lines 7 and 8 and Maly Prospekt. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the city, the only one that has 7 limits. Built in 1750-1765.

havana work town- several houses with a simple appearance for St. Petersburg. They were distinguished by a building that was atypical for that time: the linear placement of buildings with cozy courtyards between them. The houses were built at the beginning of the 20th century. The entire complex accommodated over 1,000 residents.

Repin street

Repina Street is the narrowest and most atmospheric street in St. Petersburg. Its maximum width is 6 meters. Getting there can be difficult even for residents of the city, so be careful while searching. You will need to turn next to the Catherine Lutheran Church if you walk along Bolshoy Prospekt, near the 14th house along Sredny Prospekt, or go to it from the Musical Pavilion of the Rumyantsev Garden.

Walking along Repin Street, you find yourself in a quiet nook with many yellow houses and mansions characteristic of St. Petersburg, which cannot be attributed to the architecture of any particular style. This is one of the famous mystical places of the city. The street is described in detail in Antony Pogorelsky's story "Black Hen, or Underground Inhabitants".

The most beautiful streets of St. Petersburg

The sixth and seventh lines of Vasilevsky Island are considered the most beautiful in the whole city. At the same time, these are very busy places. You can get here from the Vasileostrovskaya station through Sredny Prospekt, heading towards the Bolshoy. Initially, Peter I planned that they would be embankments of one of the canals of his Venice of the North. The first stone houses appeared here in the 1730s.

Line 6 is known for the fact that a passenger horse-drawn railway line was launched along it in 1861: Admiralteiskaya Square - Konnogvardeisky Boulevard. In this regard, in 2004, a horse-drawn model of 1872-1878 was installed at the corner with Sredny Prospekt. Theater box offices work inside. In 2005, bronze horses were placed next to the tram. In 2009, the composition was supplemented by a coachman.

On a small section, lines 6 and 7 have been pedestrian since 2002. At this time, Andreevsky Boulevard was opened here between Bolshoy and Sredny avenues. In May 2003, a monument to Vasily, the patron saint of the island, was erected on it.

Of the attractions of lines 6 and 7, you should definitely visit the Andreevsky market. It was built in 1790 and reconstructed in 2003-2005. Opposite the market is the Cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called.

Many houses along 6 and 7 lines look the same as they did 100 years ago. Therefore, walking here, you may well sometimes forget what year it is.

Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

The brightest place on Vasilyevsky Island is this. Even if you will be in St. Petersburg for only 1 day, you should visit this place where the river divides into Malaya and Bolshaya. From here you can admire the Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Hermitage, the Winter Palace and the Admiralty.

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

It was built in the style of Peter's Baroque 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.

260 meters long to the Admiralty. Built in 1916.

It is 250 meters long and connects with Petrogradsky Island. It was completed in 1960, taking into account the proportions and forms of the Palace.

Built in 1810, decorated with bows of ships. Previously, they were used as lighthouses, so there are spiral staircases inside.

To the 300th anniversary of the city.

Size 70x70 meters. The maximum height of the central jet is 60 meters. He worked in three modes: music, light and music and laser show. Usually the performance lasted 20 minutes at the beginning of the hour. The lighting equipment is suitable for use even on white nights. Now the fountain complex does not function due to the high cost of maintenance.

University embankment

It is impossible to visit St. Petersburg and not walk along at least one of its embankments. There are two of them on Vasilyevsky Island. Universitetskaya runs from the Palace Bridge to Blagoveshchensky. Along it are:

It is one of the largest in the world. There are more than 50 million exhibits in its funds. In the halls with an area of ​​6,000 m2, more than 30,000 different items are exhibited, including the world's only stuffed adult mammoth and a whale skeleton 27 meters long.

- Museum of rarities, opened on the basis of the collection of Peter I. It is very famous and popular due to the collection of Ruysch freaks in alcohol. This is one of the richest ethnographic museums that you should definitely visit.

In the Petrine Baroque style, built in 1710-1721 according to the design of Francesco Fontana. At that time it was often used for diplomatic receptions and assemblies of the emperor. In 1727, the First Cadet Corps was located here. In the 1880s, the Museum of the Cadet Corps was opened, which later became a branch of the Hermitage.

Rumyantsev garden began to equip after the Obelisk was transferred to this place in honor of the victory in the Russian-Turkish war of 1787-1791 from the Field of Mars. There are fountains, busts of Repin and Surikov.

Monument to Mikhail Lomonosov installed near St. Petersburg University in 1986, since it was here that he studied and taught.

Academy of Sciences building is a prime example of classicism. Built in 1783-1789.

Academy of Arts and with her. It was founded in 1757. Today it is the largest center of artistic culture in Russia, and until the beginning of the 20th century it was the only higher educational institution of its kind.

Opposite the Academy of Arts is much older than the city itself - they are about 3.5 thousand years old. They were found in the ruins of the temple of Amenhotep III in 1820. In St. Petersburg installed in 1834. A pier was built especially for them.

Embankment Lieutenant Schmidt

Lieutenant Schmidt Embankment runs from Universitetskaya Embankment towards Blagoveshchensky Bridge. Along it are the following attractions of the city:

Naval Institute- the oldest such institution in the Russian Federation. It is located in the former palace of Count Burchard Munnich. You can recognize the institute by its ten-column portico with a tower. Opposite it rises a three-meter bronze tower, installed in 1870.

Mining Institute founded in 1773. It works with him. The building where they are now located was erected in the Empire style at the beginning of the 19th century. The funds of the Mining Museum contain more than 230 thousand different images from different countries, including works by Faberge.

Finished building in 1897. Now the temple is active. Restoration work completed in 2013.

is the only institution of its kind in the world. The ship was launched in 1917 in England. The first name of the icebreaker is Svyatogor. In 1918, he sank at the mouth of the Northern Dvina, and after that he was with the British as a war trophy. In 1921, Russian diplomat Leonid Krasin managed to negotiate the purchase of the ship. Posthumously, the icebreaker was renamed in his honor. The ship participated in a rescue expedition to the North Pole, when the airship "Italia" crashed, as well as in the Second World War. The icebreaker has been used as a museum space since 1992.

The largest island in the Neva delta, between the Bolshaya Neva and Malaya Neva. Area 1090 ha. In the west it goes to the Neva Bay of the Gulf of Finland, from the north it is separated from the island of the Decembrists by the river. Smolenka. The greatest length from north to south is 4.2 km ... St. Petersburg (encyclopedia)

Vasilyevsky Island- Vasilyevsky Island. Vasilievsky island. 6th and 7th lines. On the right Andreevsky market, behind it the bell tower and the dome of St. Andrew's Cathedral. Saint Petersburg. Vasilyevsky Island, the largest island in the Neva Delta, between the Bolshaya Neva and Malaya ... ... Encyclopedic reference book "St. Petersburg"

Vasilyevsky Island- Vasilyevsky Island is the largest of the islands of the Neva Delta. Its area is more than 1000 hectares. It is washed by the waters of the Bolshaya and Malaya Neva, the Smolenka River, and from the west by the Gulf of Finland. Long before the founding of the city, this island, along with the Finnish ... ... Why are they so named?

Vasilyevsky Island- ist. area of ​​St. Petersburg: the largest island in the delta of the river. Neva, separated by the Bolshaya Neva from the left bank of the Admiralty part and the Malaya Neva from the right bank of the Petrograd side; the western part of the island goes to the Finnish Hall. The origin of the name is unknown... Russian humanitarian encyclopedic dictionary

The largest island (1050 ha) in the Neva delta, the historical district of St. Petersburg. Academy of Arts, St. Petersburg University, Kunstkamera, architectural ensemble of the Strelka of Vasilevsky Island (Exchange building, Rostral columns). * * * VASILIEVSKY… … encyclopedic Dictionary

Vasilyevsky Island- Vasily Ilyevsky Island (in St. Petersburg) ... Russian spelling dictionary

One of the islands in the delta Neva, within the city of St. Petersburg (see this next) ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

Vasilyevsky Island (Finnish: Hirvisaari Losiny Ostrov) is the largest island in the Neva River delta. The greatest length: from north to south 4.2 km, from west to east 6.6 km. Area 1090 ha. It rises above the water level (ordinary) up to 3.5 m. Included ... Wikipedia

Mini-hotel Vasilievsky Island- (St. Petersburg, Russia) Hotel category: 3 star hotel Address: 7th line … Hotel catalog

Church of the Resurrection of Christ (Vasilyevsky Island, St. Petersburg) Orthodox Church Church of the Resurrection of Christ Country Russia ... Wikipedia

Books

• Carlos Castaneda. Door to Other Worlds, Carlos Castaneda, 1991 edition. Preservation is good. In 1961, Castaneda studied medicinal plants and met an old Indian, Juan Matus. Thus began the long-term journey of Castaneda for ... Category: Esotericism and Spiritualism Publisher: Vasilyevsky Island,
• Tiered world. Collection of fantastic works. Volume 2, Philip J. Farmer, 1992 edition. The dust jacket is in satisfactory condition. The book includes the third and fourth novels of the famous American science fiction writer from the "Tiered World" series: "Personal ... Category: Science Fiction and Fantasy Series: Fantasy Club Publisher: