Kamenny Ostrov Avenue, one of the most famous streets in St. Petersburg, is located on the Petrograd side. Its length is 3.5 kilometers: it starts from the Trinity Bridge over the Neva and ends on Kamenny Island at Ushakovsky Bridge. In pre-revolutionary Russia, the avenue was planned to be renamed "French", and in newspapers, it was referred to as "Champs-Élysées of St. Petersburg". The street attracts tourists due to its many historical landmarks and apartment buildings and is often mentioned in city guides.

History of Creation

Kamenny Ostrov Avenue was formed gradually and has changed significantly since its inception. The street began to be laid out in 1712 from the Armory to Trinity Square, and it appeared on the city map in 1738. The first school in the capital under the patronage of Archbishop Theophan Prokopovich opened on the banks of the Karpovka River, but it has not survived to this day. On the even side of the avenue were the summer houses of architects Bazhenov, Ferrari, and Paulsen. The place became popular due to its proximity to the center.

The avenue was constantly expanding, and from the 1770s it was called "The Road to Kamenny Island", and later, "Kamenny Ostrov Avenue". Soldiers of the Medical College settled here, and the city nobility built summer houses. Chaotic construction and lack of planning drew criticism from the creative intelligentsia, and Benois himself proposed a landscaping project.

The street began to be reconstructed according to a master plan: it was straightened, drainage systems were added, and the first sidewalks appeared. At the intersection of streets, squares were planned for construction, and landscaping included the planting of acacias and hawthorn bushes, which were later cut down. In 1903, the avenue was extended through the Alexandrovsky Garden, construction in the Art Nouveau style began, and tram lines were laid. The street acquired a modern European appearance.

After the Bolsheviks came to power, the renaming of objects on the city map began: Kamenny Ostrov Avenue became "Red Dawn Street", and after Kirov's death in 1935, it was named in his honor.

Interesting fact: the street is considered the main alternative to Nevsky Prospect. It looks elegant, the ground floors of the buildings are occupied by cafes and restaurants, and life is always bustling here.

The reconstruction of the road led to the demolition of dilapidated buildings, the road was paved, the Palace of Culture and several schools were built, and large parks were created. In 1951, the tram tracks from Kirov Prospect were removed, and it became a busy highway. After the collapse of the USSR, the street was returned to its historical name, Kamenny Ostrov Avenue.

Famous Buildings

A walk along the avenue is interesting due to the many St. Petersburg landmarks and cultural objects. Here, architecture from the 18th to the 20th centuries is represented, showcasing the evolution of urban development.

Income House Lidval

The complex of buildings in the shape of an irregular rectangle was built according to the design of architect Fyodor Lidval for his mother. The house is executed in the Art Nouveau style and became a residence for the creative intelligentsia. The building is asymmetrical, featuring colored plaster and ceramic tiles. The walls are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting natural themes. The Lidval House is a monument of regional architectural significance.

Income House Rosenstein

Often called the "House with Towers", this building in the style of retro-constructivism was built during World War I. Two powerful hexagonal towers became a symbol of Kamenny Ostrov Avenue, with a theater located on the ground floor. The building is decorated with rich balconies and original finishes.

Interesting fact: the thick walls withstood the Siege of Leningrad. A shell exploded nearby, but the "House with Towers" only tilted slightly.

The original appearance of the building surprised the townspeople: the windows on the third and fifth floors create an optical illusion. The stylization of a medieval English castle attracts directors, and several historical films have been shot here.

Benois House

The building was constructed according to the design of architects from the Benois family. It is the most famous structure on the avenue, distinguished by a maze of passage yards. From the side of Kronverkskaya Street, the complex is adorned with decorative details. At the time of its construction, the Benois House was considered the most modern residential complex in St. Petersburg; after the revolution, apartments were allocated to party officials.

Among its famous residents were composer Shostakovich, artist Makovsky, and actor Babochkin. Within the walls of the building, Shostakovich wrote the first three parts of the Leningrad Symphony. Many apartments were given for free to chemists and physicists.

Kirov's apartment has been turned into a memorial museum. Most of the exhibits date back to the 20th century, featuring personal belongings of Kirov. Of particular interest are his study and library with rare copies of banned books. The museum has many photographs and an antique aquarium connected to the water supply, a rarity for Leningrad.

Emir of Bukhara's House

After the annexation of the Bukhara Emirate, the last ruler built a mansion where his heirs lived. It is executed in the style of the Italian Renaissance, modeled after Florentine palaces. The central part of the facade is faced with Ural marble. The interiors preserved expensive stucco, and after the arrival of Soviet power, the building was nationalized.

Income House Putilova

The building is executed in the style of Finnish northern modernism. The gray mass resembles a stone cliff, with variously shaped windows and sculptures at the entrance. The walls are adorned with bas-reliefs and plasterwork.

Witte Mansion

The house is known as the residence of Witte. It lacks embellishments but has preserved its interior. The wrought-iron staircases, lanterns, and tiles have survived for almost a hundred years. The building hosts excursions, and there is an opportunity to access the roof with a view of the city.

Income House Zimmermann

The building of the "Silver Age" features original windows, with more than 25 types on the facade. The description of the house has entered architecture textbooks, and it is a popular destination for tours. Originally, there was a viewing tower at the corner of the building, destroyed during the siege. The interiors are decorated with patterns on the ceilings and walls.

Complex of Buildings at Austrian Square

The octagonal ensemble at the intersection of Kamenny Ostrov Avenue and Mira Street resembles Viennese architecture. Until 1992, the intersection was not distinguished as a separate object; the historical development in the style of German modernism became a hallmark of St. Petersburg. It was intended to be a smaller copy of Copenhagen.

Monuments and Parks

Kamenny Ostrov Avenue, one of the greenest streets in St. Petersburg, is known for its gardens and parks. Cultural and historical monuments along the road have become a meeting place for youth and an attraction for tourists.

Trinity Square

It is considered the beginning of the street; on the day of the city's 300th anniversary, a reconstruction took place, and a chapel of the Life-Giving Trinity was erected. Trinity Square is the oldest of the preserved squares in St. Petersburg. For some time, it was considered the center of the capital, housing the Senate and Synod. The landscaping of the square took place in 1948, and the landscape is maintained in modern Russia.

In 1990, the Solovetsky Stone was installed in the square in memory of political prisoners. The stone symbolizes the value of freedom and human rights. The square has become a site for annual events to commemorate the victims of repression, and human rights actions are held here.

Interesting fact: the authors of the monument, Rybakov and Uhnalev, suffered persecution; both served sentences on the Solovetsky Islands. The monument gave them the opportunity to express their attitude towards the events.

The Peter and Paul Church of the Holy Trinity became the first cathedral in St. Petersburg, founded in 1709 by Peter the Great. The emperor used the building as a place for the announcement of decrees, and he was crowned here. During the Soviet years, the cathedral was demolished, and a chapel was erected in its place. A miniature copy is installed on a fragment of the Thunder Stone, on the pedestal of which stands the Bronze Horseman.

Alexandrovsky Park

To the west of Trinity Square lies Alexandrovsky Garden. It is the first public park in St. Petersburg, founded in 1842 on the site of a wasteland. Nicholas I personally oversaw the construction, and memorial plaques and sculptures are located on the territory. Among them are the sculpture of Apostle Peter, "Mini-City", and the sculptural group "Architects" in honor of the city's architects.

Interesting fact: the sculpture of Tom de Thomon was recreated based on a portrait of the English chemist Thomson. The error was noticed only in 2018, but the face of the composition was not changed.

In Alexandrovsky Park stands the last monument of the imperial empire, dedicated to the destroyer "Steregushchy". It depicts two sailors opening the kingstones to flood the ship. During the Soviet era, the sculptor Isenberg's son conducted a reconstruction, and a memorial plaque listing the crew members was added.

Fountain "Swan Lake"

In 2003, the "Swan Lake" fountain was launched, a gift from France for the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. It is a bowl five meters in diameter with water columns shaped like bird wings. Lighting fixtures illuminate the water jets in the colors of the flags of Russia and France, symbolizing the trusting relationship between the countries.

Monument to Popov

On Kamenny Ostrov Avenue, a monument was erected in honor of the centenary of the birth of inventor Popov, the creator of radio, a rival of Marconi. The monument has become a site for ceremonial events, with rallies held here on May 7, Radio Day. Popov is depicted in full growth, leaning on a lectern with his invention. Sculptor Bogolyubov placed it on a granite pedestal, and the monument has become a cultural heritage site.

Andrei Petrov Square

The square is known for its bas-reliefs, united by the idea of interconnectedness of cultural traditions. They are called "The Wall of Centuries", a creation of artist Kirill Miller. Memorial signs have been installed for four historical figures: Salvador Dali, Daniil Kharms, Dmitry Likhachev, and Dmitry Shostakovich. The great composer lived on the avenue, and the memorial sign is made in the form of a portrait with rays of sunlight.

Lopukhin Garden

On Aptekarsky Island near the avenue is Lopukhin Garden, a popular filming location for movies about pre-revolutionary St. Petersburg. It is a monument of landscape architecture in the English style with water features and gazebos. The garden arose on the site of the "Aptekarsky Garden", a wasteland near the residence of Pavel Romanov. The plot belonged to the Lopukhins, purchased by philanthropist Gromov, who conducted a redevelopment and made the area public.

Bridges

St. Petersburg is called the northern Venice; Kamenny Ostrov Avenue crosses four bridges over the Neva and canals:

Ushakovsky. Named after the admiral, it was previously called Strogonovsky. The supports are faced with granite, decorated with marine elements and attributes of the victories of Russian arms. Before the entrance stands a column with the image of the Ushakov Order;

Trinity. It is considered the most famous and beautiful in St. Petersburg. The construction was overseen by French and Russian architects, and it has been reconstructed multiple times. The imperial style with stone elements and metals attracts tourists; under its arch, pilot Chkalov flew;

Kamenny Ostrovsky. The bridge has a drawbridge design, but due to tram tracks, it does not perform this function. It is faced with granite and decorated with bronze stars;

Silin Bridge. A reinforced concrete structure with bronze bas-reliefs.

Excursions on Kamenny Ostrov Avenue

The Champs-Élysées of St. Petersburg, with picturesque architecture on the Petrograd side, has become an encyclopedia for studying the city and its development. The history of the avenue is connected with famous people from different eras, and the street impresses with its variety of styles from classicism to modernism. You can explore the attractions through a walking tour with guides. The duration of the tour is about two hours, and the price depends on the group size.

Route. Kamenny Ostrov Avenue can be reached by public transport and metro. The metro station is located on the second line, and there are stops for buses, trolleybuses, and trams, as well as taxis.