The Admiralty

A 72-metre Admiralty's spire can be seen from a great distance. It looks like it 'reigns' above the city of Peter the Great. The spire, capped by a gold weather vane shaped like a frigate has firmly established itself as the symbol of St. Petersburg.

Three wide city's thoroughfares: Nevskiy Prospekt, Gorokhovaya Street and Voznesenskiy Prospekt lead towards the Admiralty building, making it visible from afar.

In 1704 a shipyard was laid here by order of Peter I, whilst acting as a fortress at the same time. Later, in 1712 the first Russian warship – 54-cannon "Poltava" was launched from the shipyard. Altogether 262 ships, including 23 battleships, were built here.

The architectural masterpriece, which we observe today, is the creation of the architect A. Zakharov. If was built from 1806 to 1823. The talented master skilfully fitted the grandiose building into the area between the existing Winter Palace and the outlined ensemble of Senatskaya Square.

The Admiralty building is a brilliant example of the high Classicism style. The length of the main facade is 407 m and consists of several separate buildings combined into a single unit. The building and the tower are decorated with allegorical sculptures made by the famous architects Shchedrin, Terebenev and others. Above the entrance there is a bas-relief with the following inscription: "Russia starting a Fleet for Herself".

Unfortunately, because of the Alexandrovskiy Garden, which is right next the Admiralty, it's impossible to observe the whole panorama of the Admiralty. The internal part of the P-shaped building is turned to Neva River, lateral wings come to an end with pavilions with arches. Maby years ago canals were dug under the arches to provide ships with acces to the workshops. Later these canals were filled in with earth. The Admiralty's pavilions, which were designed for purely utilitarian purpose – ship rigging, are extremely decorative and are just as beautiful as the main facade. On the embankment of the Neva opposite the pavilions there are granite berths adorned with sculptures of "smiling" lions.

Traditionally, the Admiralty building is occupied by different institutions connected with the Navy. For many years the Higher Navy Engineering Institute has occupied the building.

References to serve as a source of historical and technological information during creation of the information project, the photo album on the bridges of St. Petersburg.