Vitebsky Station, the oldest railway facility in Russia and the first station in St. Petersburg, is a cultural monument protected by the state. It served as the terminus of the Tsarskoye Selo Railway, the first in the Russian Empire, and is considered one of the most beautiful stations in both the city and the country. Its ancient architecture and unique scale attract directors who use this location to create atmospheric scenes that convey the spirit of romantic journeys and the atmosphere of the 19th century.

History of Construction

The Tsarskoye Selo Railway connected the imperial residence of Nicholas I with St. Petersburg. The decree for its construction was signed in 1836, and the work was led by Austrian engineer Franz Gerstner. At that time, the necessary materials were not produced in Russia, and components were purchased in Europe, significantly increasing the cost of construction and becoming a heavy burden on the country's budget.

Interesting fact: Nicholas I participated in laying out the route, and due to a short ruler and a slipped pencil on the map, a squiggle appeared that remained unchanged in the project.

Gerstner chose a plot of land in the area of Zagorodny Avenue for the construction of a temporary wooden building. It was planned to build a stone structure in the coming years and to arrange the territory. The opening of the railway and the future Vitebsky Station took place on November 11, 1837. The ceremony was attended by Nicholas I and high-ranking officials. The train made two trips between St. Petersburg and Tsarskoye Selo, and passenger traffic between cities began in Russia. The locomotive "Prostorniy," brought from England and modernized in Belgium, became the first locomotive on this line.

Interesting fact: the width of the railway gauge in Europe is 1435 mm, while in Tsarist Russia, it was 1524 mm. Under Soviet rule, this value was reduced by 4 mm, but it still did not allow trains to cross borders without re-equipping.

In the first three days after the opening, anyone could ride the train, and crowds of townspeople filled the station building. In 1849, a stone building was erected on the site of the station according to the design of architect Ton, which was rebuilt in 1876. A major reconstruction of the station took place in 1904, and it became the first public building in the Art Nouveau style. Nicholas II, who loved to travel by train, received a separate building that has survived to this day.

Interesting fact: the station was renamed three times. Initially, it was called Tsarskoye Selo, in 1918 it became Detskoselsky, and it received its final name in 1935.

The station became a place of leisure for the residents of St. Petersburg, who came here to enjoy the atmosphere of luxury and grandeur. Families watched the arrival of steam trains, which for a long time remained a curiosity and were considered a marvel of engineering.

Interesting fact: during the Siege of Leningrad in the Great Patriotic War, wooden products from the station were used for heating, and the modern interior features fashionable materials, cheap metal, and plastic.

By the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, the station was restored. The cold climate and heavy traffic on the line led to the rapid degradation of the architectural monument, and restorers had to completely recreate its historical appearance.

Architectural Features

Academician Brzhozovsky, the author of the new project, equipped the station with the most modern technology of the 19th century, focusing on electrification. Freight and passenger elevators allowed easy access to the second floor, where the main vestibule was located. Rails were laid to it along an embankment nearly five meters high, constructed under the guidance of engineers Golubkov and Ostrovsky, who received the highest state awards for this.

Interesting fact: currently, the elevators are not operational, which creates difficulties in delivering cargo to the platform, but they are planned to be repaired soon.

The main hall of the station, a giant vestibule with a grand staircase, is topped with a metal dome. The clock tower, which has become a symbol of the station in films, is adorned with a metal owl. The lighting problem was solved with the help of natural light and stained glass windows, supplemented by electric lamps and bronze chandeliers. Along the walls, there are oak benches for passengers.

The interiors of the station were designed by architect Sima Minash, known for his works in the Art Nouveau style. The interiors combine metal and glass, luxury and simplicity.

The hall between the facades of the station is decorated with columns styled after antiquity. The arches of the platforms with metal rivets and glass ceilings, as well as wrought iron fences with designs of lyres and flowers, create a unified composition.

Interesting fact: the automated payment system and anti-terrorist restrictions have changed the appearance of the station, and metal grilles along the facades worsen its photogenicity.

The station was used by members of the imperial family, for whom a special pavilion and rooms were built, now used as administrative offices. The walls are adorned with stucco, frescoes, and panels that create the atmosphere of the 19th century. Initially, the main role in the project was played by the god Mercury, but in Soviet times, he was replaced by an image of the Peter and Paul Fortress.

The royal pavilion, built according to the design of Stanislav Brzhozovsky, has been under reconstruction for a long time, restoring the historical interiors. The one-story building in the Art Nouveau style is decorated with a vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows. Expensive oak was used in construction, and the carved panels are of interest to art historians. On the wall of the pavilion, old clocks and a barometer have been preserved.

Monuments

On the territory of the station, there are monuments that attract tourists. Initially, a model of the "Provorniy" train, the first steam locomotive in Russia, was located on the platform. Later, the pavilion was dismantled, and the exhibit was moved to Tsarskoye Selo. Now it is commemorated by a memorial plaque with a bronze medallion and an inscription in honor of Franz Gerstner.

In 2007, a monument to Gerstner was opened, timed to the anniversary of Russian Railways. He is depicted in full growth with a model of the "Provorniy" locomotive and has become a popular meeting and photo spot.

A sculptural group in memory of the heroes of World War I is installed at the main entrance. The monument is made in the form of a cross with images of soldiers in carriages and stands four meters tall.

Interesting fact: military units were sent to the front from Vitebsky Station, and it became a place of farewell with families.

Exhibitions of contemporary artists are held on the second floor of the station, and nearby is a restaurant in the Art Nouveau style. The restaurant has become a meeting place for the creative intelligentsia, where Blok and Akhmatova often visited. The interior has been restored based on old photographs, and waiters serve in pre-revolutionary uniforms.

Important point: due to the threat of coronavirus, excursions begin with the issuance of personal protective equipment and temperature checks.

A bust of Nicholas II, who played an important role in transforming the station into a passenger point, is installed on the grand staircase. During Soviet times, it was replaced with Lenin, but later Nicholas returned to his place. In 2003, a bust by Ivanov and Torich was installed on a granite pedestal.

Vitebsky Station is popular for wedding photo shoots. Shooting is paid and requires permission. The marble staircase and picture gallery create excellent conditions for photographs.

Transport Significance

The station remains an important transport hub in northern Russia and is one of the five international stations in St. Petersburg. It has eight tracks and five platforms, four of which are used for suburban electric trains, while the others are for long-distance trains. The station connects St. Petersburg with Kaliningrad, Kyiv, Minsk, Odesa, Riga, Vilnius, and Pskov. The farthest route of electric trains leads to the village of Luga, located 136 kilometers from the city.

Vitebsky Station accommodates about 1500 people at the same time, adhering to epidemiological norms. Long-distance trains depart every hour, and about 35,000 people use the station daily.

For passenger convenience, the station has rest areas, shops, cafes, luggage storage, and free internet. A medical point is located on the second floor, and devices can be charged at the service center. The station's information board is one of the largest in Russia.

Interesting fact: after the collapse of the USSR, toilets became paid, which caused dissatisfaction. Since 2020, they have been free again.

The station is equipped for people with disabilities: there are ramps, toilets, and means for boarding trains.

The station schedule is constantly updated, and it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the information on the official website in advance.