The Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is a symbol and the beginning of St. Petersburg, steeped in numerous urban legends and romantic stories. Masters of art, writers, poets, and artists often dedicated their works to this place. In the cultural and historical context, the Spit is one of the main scientific and museum centers of the city and is often referred to as its business card.

History of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

The cape of the largest island in the Neva delta divides the river into two channels. The name is likely related to its shape, resembling the tip of an arrow. Research shows that ancient pre-Christian shrines existed here, where priests conducted pagan rituals. The history of the Spit begins in the early 16th century, long before the founding of St. Petersburg.

According to the census of that time, there were small fishing settlements here. The island was possibly named after one of the Novgorod governors, Vasily Seleznev or Ananin, or in memory of a fisherman-settler. In the 17th century, the Swedes called it Pruodovyi due to the ponds in the tributaries of Smolenka. After the founding of Petersburg, the old name returned.

From 1707 to 1714, the island was owned by Governor A. D. Menshikov, whose stone building was the only one on the island. The rest of the territory was almost uninhabited, except for wooden dwellings of serfs, mills, and other structures. Development began with the construction of a new city. Peter I planned to make the capital a naval fortress and port.

Initially, the port facilities were located on the Petrograd side, but later they were moved to the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. The construction plan was entrusted to Trezzini, a talented architect of that time. It was initially intended that residential buildings would be here, but the emperor wanted to create an administrative and cultural center with a seaport, so the foundation consisted of government buildings.

Architectural Ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

The main element of the ensemble became the complex of the Twelve Collegia, consisting of 12 identical sections housing administrative bodies. Now it houses St. Petersburg University, a library, and administrative offices. Buildings that became the foundation of the appearance were quickly constructed: the Gostiny Dvor, the palace of Tsarina Praskovya, the Academy of Sciences, the Kunstkamera, and the Exchange. In 1885, the port was moved closer to the Gulf of Finland due to the channel not accommodating new ships.

Change of the Panorama of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

In 2008, the construction of high-rise buildings began in the area of the Kirov Culture House, which, according to experts and residents, harmed the historical appearance. The public defended the panorama, but the developer refused to reduce the height, citing previously obtained permission. A similar project, "Marine Facade," could further disrupt the harmony of the ensemble.

The Exchange on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

Since 1703, merchants gathered here, and the place became known as the exchange. The first wooden Exchange was built in the 1730s. Over time, trade increased, and in 1781, Catherine the Great ordered the construction of a new stone building. Construction was delayed due to a lack of funds and wars. The new building, designed by J. F. Tomon, began in 1805 and was completed in 1810. The official opening took place in 1816. The building is adorned with sculptures celebrating Russia and features majestic columns.

Stages of Formation of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

For the symmetry of the shoreline, an artificial contour of the spit was created, extending the shore 120 meters into the river. A semicircular square was formed with a gentle descent and granite fencing. The ensemble was completed by the Customs House and two warehouses in 1826-1832. In 1924, flooding damaged the square, which was restored in 1926. Monuments to Rossi and Quarenghi were installed, and the fencing of the square was replaced with granite posts. By 1936, the area was paved.

Rostral Columns of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

Two columns, installed in 1810, served as lanterns, lit at night and in fog. They are called Rostral due to the rostra, the rams on the bows of ancient ships. In St. Petersburg, they symbolize the power of Russia. They are decorated with figures of mermaids, fish, and seahorses. At the base of the columns are statues of sea deities. Architect Tomon used various materials, and the rostra are made of metal. The lanterns were used until 1885, when they were replaced with electric and gas burners.

Museums of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

The Spit houses unique museums. The Kunstkamera is known for its anatomical rarities and anomalies, with a collection started by Peter I. The Pushkin House, the Literary Museum, contains over 300,000 documents and works. The Zoological Museum in the former Southern warehouse holds a collection of animals, including the stuffed baby mammoth Dima. The Northern warehouse houses the Museum of Soil Science, opened in 1904, with a collection of soils from around the world.

Embankment of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island

The embankment became a separate structure in 1952. Before that, it was divided into Tuchkov and the embankment of the Great Neva. The outlines and layout changed depending on urban planning tasks. Peter I planned the city center on Vasilyevsky Island, and the construction of warehouses and commercial buildings began here. In 1805-1810, during the construction of the new Exchange building, the shore was extended 120 meters into the river. In 1925-1926, a square was laid out, and in 1950, the destroyed northern wing of the embankment was restored. In 1963, the lion masks were restored. The construction of bridges in the 1910s and 1957-1960 completed the formation of the embankment, giving it symmetry.