We all perfectly know the cultural capital of Russia - St. Petersburg. But not everyone knows about its no less interesting part - Vasilievsky Island. If you are interested in this island, you will certainly want to visit it. So let's decide what sights of Vasilyevsky Island are worth visiting in the first place.
A small digression into history
Vasilievsky island is the largest on the Neva. Peter 1, having spied the idea in Amsterdam, wanted to cut the island with many canals. But he failed to bring the idea to life. There were many reasons for this, one of which was his closest associate, Alexander Menshikov. He prevented the construction and erected a chic palace. Despite the tsar’s decrees, the people didn’t move to Vasilievsky Island. The canals fell asleep. This is the only place in the world where each street has two names. Another important reason was the lack of a road to the island. But Peter 1 did not want to build bridges.
Bridges
In 1727, they began 2 times a year to establish a bridge-mounted bridge. Now there is a memorial sign on this place. For the passage on the bridge had to pay. With the money raised later built St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral.
After some time, the bridge was moved and the first lights of Yablochkov were installed on it. Later, the bridge was returned to its old place and kerosene lights were already installed. Because of this, in 1916, it burned down.
By decree of Nicholas 1 in 1850 built the Annunciation bridge. After the death of the emperor, he was renamed Nikolaevsky. The original name returned only in 2007. During the Soviet Union, it was called the "Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge". The bridge built next to him was called his "son." Now "the son of Lieutenant Schmidt" is called the "Big Petrovsky Bridge."
Now we know that the main historical sights of the Vasilyevsky Island of St. Petersburg are bridges. Now let's move on to the rest.
House of Troekurov
It is unbelievable how this small mansion has been preserved to this day - an example of the buildings of the times of Peter 1. By this sight of the Vasilievsky island of St. Petersburg you can judge what kind of appearance the city streets had in the mid-18th century. The house was built in the 30s of the 18th century for the captain of the emperor - Alexei Ivanovich Troekurov. In 1969, the building was reconstructed. Now in the building of this attraction of Vasilievsky Island there is a training complex with its most popular hotel and parking in the city.
House of Academics
After the opening of a scientific academy on Vasilievsky Island, it became the center of the scientific life of Russia. Academics, of course, wanted to live as close to work as possible. For this reason, a "communal house" was opened here. Many scientists left us from here, which is why the building was nicknamed the "Indian Tomb."
Icebreaker Museum Krasin
The icebreaker museum Krasin is a true monument to shipbuilding. In 1917, it was built in England on order for the Russian Ministry of the Sea and was named "Svyatogor". In February 1917, the icebreaker arrived in Arkhangelsk, and already on August 1, 1819 it was flooded. Until 1952, the Krasin remained the most powerful ice drift in the world. Now the ship is one of the branches of the Museum of the World Ocean. Everyone can visit the "ship's sights" Vasilievsky Island of St. Petersburg, photos of which you can see below. This cabin company, the captain’s bridge, the wheelhouse ...
Church of the Three Saints
D. Trezzini is considered the author of this attraction of Vasilievsky Island, a photo of which you can also see below , but there is nothing left to confirm this fact. The Church of the Three Saints was built in 1760.
Church of St. Andrew the First-Called
In 1780 this temple was built, located as close as possible to the Church of the Three Saints. There is an opinion that it was here that Ekaterina Dolgorukaya was buried. In 1917 the temple was looted and closed. In 1992, it was restored and reopened.
Sphinxes
In 1834, the main facade of the Academy of Arts was decorated with two Egyptian sphinxes.
Sphinxes are the most ancient sights of Vasilyevsky Island, over three thousand years old. Once they stood in the avenue of sphinxes at the palace of Amenhotep 3.
The Sphinxes were found during archaeological excavations under the command of Janis Atonazis in 1820. Since the British Consulate sponsored the expedition, the Sphinxes went to England. Nicholas 1 bought them for 62,000 rubles. In 1832, the sphinxes arrived in St. Petersburg and were installed in front of the art academy.
Exchange building
The Exchange building was built after the transfer of the trading port to the island. In 1730, a wooden building was built. In 1780, they decided to make it stone. In 1783, the plan was put into effect.
The main facade of this attraction of Vasilyevsky Island faces the Winter Palace. In 1889, the country's first industrial exhibition was held here, where only domestic products were presented.
Griffin Tower
You will not find this tower full of legends and fiction in any tourist guide, but this is a place that is definitely worth a visit. According to the main version, an alchemist once lived here secretly leading out griffins. Some even saw their silhouettes at night.