Vasilievsky island seaside. Sights of Vasilyevsky Island, which are definitely worth a visit: description, photo. A small digression into history

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.


Pavilion 6 "Lenexpo"

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 who are unable to moor on the Neva due to the large 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 - “ Moose 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 oldest temples Peter - the Church of the Three Saints, founded at the beginning of the XVIII century and is 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.


Development plan for Vasilyevsky Island called "Marine Façade"

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 specifics 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 free time and, as far as possible, spend less of it to get 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.

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. St. 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

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  • Fire Dog and Vasilievsky Island. Collection of short stories, Marina Lugavtsova. 300 years live on Vasilyevsky Island representatives of the family of the hero of the book. We meet Leonid Zasulich, his parents and friends under incredible circumstances. The action takes place in…

Vasilyevsky Island (Saint Petersburg, Russia) - description, history, location, reviews, photos and videos.

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Initially, Vasilievsky Island was designed as the center of St. Petersburg, within which all the most important state facilities would be located. However, it quickly became clear that not the best place was chosen for such purposes - although this did not prevent many famous architects and sculptors from turning the island into one of the most beautiful places in St. Petersburg.

However, according to its original purpose, Vasilyevsky Island was still partially used. The building of the Twelve Colleges is located on Vasilyevsky Island, where the Senate and, in fact, the colleges were located at the beginning of the 18th century.

The building of the Twelve Collegia faces the Universitetskaya embankment, while all neighboring buildings face it. The reason for this was, according to legend, the greed of Alexander Menshikov, who was entrusted with the construction of the building. Peter I rashly promised to give his favorite the remaining free part of the site for the construction of his own mansion. And he, of course, ordered the building of the Twelve Collegia to be arranged so that it occupied as little space as possible. True, Menshikov's selfish plans were quickly revealed, and he received much less than he expected.

The Kunstkamera is located on the island - a museum that attracts almost more interest to many than the Hermitage. In fact, it was built there quite by accident. Walking along the not yet fully built-up Vasilyevsky Island, Peter I, who was already hatching plans for the construction of a “museum of curiosities”, suddenly noticed a pine tree of an extremely bizarre shape. The emperor immediately dubbed her a monster tree and decided that best place for the Kunstkamera in the city is not found.

Bolshoy Prospekt, located on Vasilyevsky Island, was supposed to become a through highway along which ships would go from Strelka to the Gulf of Finland, but in the end it turned out to be just one of the widest streets in the city - as much as 85 meters. The narrowest street in St. Petersburg is located here - this is Repin Street and its width is only 6 meters.

Wanting to plunge deeper into the atmosphere of St. Petersburg, we turned to Ruslan Bekurov, Associate Professor of the Department of International Journalism at St. Petersburg State University. He compiled a small but detailed guide to Vasilyevsky Island, where he lived for more than 10 years.

Students, metaphysics, traffic jams and sunsets on the bay

On Vasilyevsky Island there is an oblique line. A typical factory street, where there is nothing but industrial and industrial establishments. Usually, before turning onto it from Bolshoy Prospekt, minibus drivers ask: “Does anyone go to Kosoy?”. In 99 cases out of 100 there are no applicants, and the minibus goes further along the Bolshoy.

So, for me, the Oblique Line is a symbol of absolute worthlessness and uselessness brought to the point of absurdity. Half the people in my life are oblique lines. Well, I myself, probably, for someone - Oblique line.

Vasilyevsky Island is metaphysical. Here one is drawn to think about the meaning of life and delve into oneself. Probably because there are many cemeteries here - both existing and already abandoned. The island is also crammed with chapels. Sometimes it seems there are more of them than.

Church of the Assumption of Our Lady. Photo: wikimedia.org

Vaska is a student island. Here, perhaps, is the largest: here you have St. Petersburg State University, and the legendary, and the Academy of Arts, and the North-Western Academy of Civil Service, as well as several large naval institutes.

In the unwillingness to correspond to the modern rhythm and trends - both the beauty and the trouble of "Vaska". These endless traffic jams, not at all stardust and gopniks in tight sweatpants are perceived too painfully.


Photo: s-pb.in

On the other hand, I don’t want the cozy green courtyards, which are in bulk on Vaska, to become a thing of the past; little ones with old women and their grandchildren; sunset and barbecues on the bay; houses on "chicken legs" on Primorskaya; icebreaker "Krasin" on the Lieutenant Schmidt embankment; quiet lanes near the University with scruffy bearded professors running to lectures; "wells", in the windows of which you want to drown; Soviet canteens and wineries, scattered around Vasileostrovskaya, and many, many other attributes of MY island.

Conventionally, I would break it into four parts: the Primorskaya metro area to the Gulf of Finland; metro area "Vasileostrovskaya" / "Sportivnaya"; industrial area and "academic" - where, the Academy of Arts, the Academy of Sciences, and.


Photo: peterburgiprigorod.ru

The main part of the island is divided into three avenues: Big, Middle and Small. Hence the famous St. Petersburg joke: "I'll go a little." According to legend, Peter I planned to fill Vaska with canals crossing these avenues. But as a result, instead of channels, streets appeared, the names of which were not particularly bothered - lines and lines. There are more than twenty such lines-streets on the island.

spend the night

If you stopped in St. Petersburg for a short time, Vasilyevsky Island offers many options for overnight stays. There are many hotels on the island: from large chain hotels to tiny semi-legal hostels. On the shores of the Gulf of Finland, not far from the Seaport, a four-star hotel "" (Korablestroiteley St., 14) is one of the most famous in the city. They say that in the eighties one of the "suites" was bought by Alla Pugacheva. She really liked the view from the window.


Photo: artuom.livejournal.com

Behind the "Pribaltiyskaya" is the water park "Waterville", one of the largest and most beloved by children water entertainment complexes in St. Petersburg - its area is 14,000 square meters.

Not far from the Neva embankment on the 2nd line, 61 there is a five-star hotel "", and next to the university - the hotel "" of the popular Finnish chain "" (Birzhevoy per., 2). Another "" is located on the 8th line, 11.

Prices in these hotels range from 7 to 10 thousand rubles per day for a regular double room.


Photo: hotelspb.ru

In this sense, in my opinion, the most suitable option is mini-hotels between Sredny and Bolshoy avenues and near Lenexpo. I recommend Noteburg (3rd line, 20), Monet (Morskaya emb., 17), Apriori (Gavanskaya st., 9) and, of course, the famous "" (Bolshoy pr., 21), where visiting guest performers like to stay.

Prices in - from 3 to 7 thousand rubles per night.

And if it’s really bad with money or you just don’t want to spend it on stupid apartments, go to Location Hostel (Birzhevoy per., 4) - there for 1500-2000 rubles a day there is an option to get a separate double room. On white nights, when the bridges are being drawn, we often stay there to drink until the morning in the little Edda bar on the ground floor.


Photo: static-trezzinipalace.hrabr.ru

Watch

On the shores of the Gulf of Finland, not far from the hotel "", there is a cult complex of university dormitories (Street Korablestroiteley, 20). I lived in one of the buildings for more than ten years. And, perhaps, it was the best time in my worthless life. There is a lot of fun and few bars - except for the rollicking KillFish and the respectable Gromov. Students mainly have fun on the shores of the Gulf of Finland: they eat barbecue, of course, drink and go to meet the dawn on the road to the new Passenger Terminal, from where ferries come and go to Finland and Sweden.


Passenger terminal. Photo: citywalls.ru

By the way, according to a playful legend, Eldar Ryazanov filmed The Irony of Fate (Street Korablestroiteley, 37) in the apartment of the house opposite the hostel. And until now, the owners of the apartment are happy to let in those who wish to touch the bathroom, in which Ippolit himself took a shower. Joke.

Lenexpo, one of the largest exhibition centers in Russia, is located on the southwestern tip of the island in the historic district of Gavan. As students, we liked to wander here through numerous agricultural exhibitions: we tried free wine, gorged ourselves on vegetables and fruits. Moreover, Lenexpo is a traditional venue for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. During this period, a bunch of "bumps" come and, of course, "close" half of the island.

On the 29th line, 2 is the largest private museum in Russia "", which specializes in contemporary art. The museum is located in a typical Stalinist building, which has been thoroughly rebuilt inside. Guided tours are held in the Museum Wing, which contains a permanent interactive exhibition. Passing through the large hall, you exit to the first two U-space rooms, which are dedicated to various topics and completely immerse you in a certain atmosphere. The balloon waterfall in the Cherry Orchard room is especially popular.


Photo: nice-places.com

On the second floor there are also U-space rooms, and on the third floor there are two cinema halls, where videos are shown in which Erarta's paintings come to life. You will find two more U-spaces on the fourth floor, which, by the way, has a lot of experimental paintings. On the fifth floor there are impressive installations. On the ground floor of the Museum Wing there is the Erarta Cafe restaurant with a cozy terrace. In the opposite Exhibition Wing there are also five floors, which are given over to large-scale temporary exhibitions. The large theater and concert hall on the 3rd floor hosts performances, concerts, lectures and film screenings.


Cherry Orchard project. Photo: erarta.com
Cross art festival 2015. A photo: Facebook

Eat and drink

On the 1st line, it seems to me, a new urban restaurant cluster is emerging. What is more than strange - the place is wildly impassable and stuffed with poor students and residents of communal apartments. From the side of the Tuchkov Bridge there are: the Belgian restaurant "Bruges" (Makarov Embankment, 22) with an endless beer list and, perhaps, the best mussels in the city; a Scandinavian liquor bar with a non-trivial name "Sandwich" (Makarov Embankment, 16); wine bar "Mark Victor" (1st line, 58-60) with New Zealand wine and a beautiful view from the second floor.


Wine bar "Mark Victor". A photo: vk.com
A photo: vk.com

"" (Kadetskaya line, 31) with knocking down homemade tinctures and crazy dances; student restaurant "Hegni" (1st line, 34) - the kingdom of craft beer; in the same house is the ridiculous Parachute Pub, and across the street is the quirky Fever karaoke bar; pretentious Italian restaurant "Trattoria" (Kadetskaya, 9); the favorite of students of the faculty of journalism is the canteen "Dolma" (1st line, 28) with Azerbaijani chefs; family Georgian restaurant "Alaverdi" (1st line, 6) with the best khachapuri in the world; mini-cafe Horosho (1st line, 8) - hardly anywhere else in St. Petersburg you will try such a wonderful espresso.


Bar Hegni. A photo: vk.com
A photo: vk.com

In general, there are many restaurants and bars on Vaska. But mostly cheap wineries, pubs and Georgian cafes take root. Well, you can drink a good cocktail in the lobby bar of the Sokos Hotel on Birzhevoy Lane. It's good to sit there, especially at night, when businessmen, Finns, SKA hockey players and their long-legged companions come out of their lairs. Get bored there - go to the "Exchange Bar", located in the next house. Also a good place.

The islanders are even more imposing than the rest of the Petersburgers. And I understand them - they are in their place and time. Robinsons and Fridays wandering in search of bread and circuses. They have nowhere to hurry. Especially in summer, when the mood is sunny and the yachts are rocking at the pier.

Line 6-7 near the Vasileostrovskaya metro station was once famous for its spontaneous flea market. Then the street was cleaned, covered with gray tiles and an alley with fountains and benches was laid out in the middle. Now it is a pedestrian street, which, according to the plan of the officials, was planned as an island entertainment center with shops, restaurants and bars. But for some reason, the "pedestrian" did not take root.


A photo:

Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg is the largest island in the Neva Delta (4.2 by 6.6 km). At first it was called Preobrazhensky, and later it was renamed Vasilyevsky.

History of Vasilyevsky Island

Vasilyevsky Island is mentioned in the "census book" in 1500. According to one of the legends, this name arose on behalf of Vasily Selezny, its owner, a mayor from Novgorod. The island began to be developed simultaneously with the foundation of the Northern capital in the early 18th century.

Architect J.-B. Leblon developed a project approved by Peter the Great. According to his idea, it was assumed that this area would become the center of the city. Many famous architects and sculptors worked to create this area. Here is the building of the Twelve Collegia (designed by D. Trezzini). At the beginning of the 18th century, 12 collegiums, the Senate and the Synod were located in it, and at present, St. Petersburg State University is located here.


The first residential buildings and temples appeared next to the Big Avenue. Most of them have survived to our time, only slightly changed. Here are located such monuments of architecture as the building of the Academy of Arts, the building Mining Institute, the House of Academicians, in which 26 great Russian scientists lived at different times, the Gostiny Dvor building and many others.



Not far from the building of the Twelve Collegia, a monument to M.V. Lomonosov, in front of the building of the Naval Cadet Corps - a monument to I.F. Kruzenshtern.




The Lutheran Church of St. Catherine is of great historical and cultural value. Church of St. Catherine- the current German parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The temple for 1100 seats was founded in June 1768.


Pedestrian streets on Vasilyevsky Island (6th and 7th lines)

It is generally accepted that there are 10 pedestrian streets in St. Petersburg. One of the most beautiful is the 6th and 7th lines of Vasilyevsky Island. The most beautiful part of the street is located between Bolshoi and Sredniy avenues of Vasilyevsky Island. You can get here by metro - when you exit the Vasileostrovskaya station, turn right and you will find yourself in the pedestrian zone.




In the middle part of the street there is a boulevard with growing larches and two fountains. Lots of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. In the middle of the street is a monument to Vasily.

Monument to Vasily

On May 24, 2003, a monument to Vasily was unveiled, designed by Grigory Lukyanov, a sixth-year student of the Academy of Arts. His colleague Sergei Sergeev joined the work on the monument.

According to legend, during the construction of the Peter and Paul Fortress, on the contrary, at the tip of the island - Strelka, an artillery battery was set up to protect the entrance to the Neva from the Swedes, commanded by bombardier lieutenant Vasily Dmitrievich Korchmin. Peter I sent him orders and orders with a laconic inscription: "To Vasily on the island." And after his death, the island was named in memory of Vasily Korchmin. Vasily, created by him, is made in the image of a bombardier lieutenant of the time of Peter the Great. At the end of the street you can see 2 temples.

Church of the Three Saints

The Church of the Three Hierarchs, named after Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, was assigned to St. Andrew's Cathedral, at which it was founded as a warm one in 1740 according to the project of Carlo Giuseppe Trezzini. This is one of the oldest stone churches in the city. In Soviet times, this church housed a knitting factory. On July 15, 1991, the church was transferred to St. Andrew's Cathedral, which uses it after restoration for early liturgies.

On February 12, 2001, the church was consecrated by Metropolitan Vladimir of St. Petersburg and Ladoga.

Andrew's Cathedral

At the intersection of the 6th line with the Bolshoy Prospekt, there is an Orthodox church of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, one of the oldest in the city - St. Andrew's Cathedral. The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called is the first Russian order established by Peter I in 1698. The badge of the order is located above the entrance to the cathedral. On the alley there is an 8-meter obelisk made of granite, built on the 300th anniversary of the establishment of this award (architects Kazankov A.A. and Sitnikov Yu.V.)

Spit of Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg

One of the most beautiful places in the city - the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island - the place where the Neva is divided into Bolshaya and Malaya, forming a cape. Two embankments diverge from here - Universitetskaya and Makarova. The Strelka offers a beautiful view of the Winter Palace, the dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Admiralty.

Exchange on Vasilyevsky Island

The central building of the architectural ensemble of the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island is the Stock Exchange building, designed by the French architect J.F. Thomas de Thomon in the style of classicism.



The facades of the Exchange are decorated with sculptural groups symbolizing the ocean, rivers and navigation (authors I. P. Prokofiev and F. F. Shchedrin). In front of the Stock Exchange we see the famous rostral columns (sculptors I. Kamberlen and J. Thibaut).



On both sides of the Exchange, the buildings of the Northern and Southern warehouses were built (designed by I.F. Lukini).

On February 11, 2010, a new exchange building was opened. In addition to the stock exchange, the building housed a business center and a bank. Due to the excess of the height regulations, after the intervention of the city authorities, the upper floors of the building were dismantled.

Museums on Vasilyevsky Island

There are several museums on the Vasilevsky Island of St. Petersburg, but the most famous is the first natural science museum in Russia (Kunstkamera). Previously, the entrance to the “curiosity museum” was free and visitors were even treated to wine. The Literary Museum and the Museum of Soil Science are also nearby.


Exhibition complex Lenexpo

How to get to the Lenexpo Exhibition Complex

  • from the metro station "Vasileostrovskaya"
    • buses 1, 6 and 128
    • tram 6
    • minibuses 44, 309, 349, 183 and 690
  • from the metro station "Primorskaya"
    • trolleybus 10
    • buses 6 and 1
    • fixed-route taxis 6, 44, 690, 120 and 359

Marine station on Vasilyevsky Island

By the beginning of the 20th century, the eastern part of the district was completely built up, and an industrial zone appeared in the southwest. Currently, active construction is underway on the alluvial territory of the Gulf of Finland, which will become the sea facade of the city.