Vasilyevsky Island
Vasilievsky Island is one of the largest islands in the cultural capital of Russia. Historians say that it was originally created as the main center of St. Petersburg, because this place contains most of the places interesting for visitors to visit. The greatest length: from north to south - 4.2 km, from west to east - 6.6 km, area is 10.9 square kilometers.
History
As mentioned above, it was here that Peter I intended to locate the center of his creation. In this place, at the beginning of the 18th century, the first stone building in St. Petersburg was erected - the famous Menshikov Palace for the senator and privy councilor Prince Menshikov. Not so long ago, a commercial port was located here, as the Exchange building reminds. However, Vasilievsky Island soon ceased to be positioned as the center of St. Petersburg, turning into the most cultural point of Russia: the university and the Kunstkamera are located here.
Architecture of Vasilyevsky Island
Vasilevsky Island is beautiful with its unique atmosphere of the former port - a cool breeze blows from the bay here, it is surrounded by calm silken water, and along the embankments you can see a large number of ships. On Vasilievsky Island you can see such a combination of eras and styles that you can hardly find anywhere else. Industrial buildings from the historicist period, brick style, Stalinist, and Art Nouveau are combined. Functionality harmonizes surprisingly easily with elegance and decor. Every corner is thought out to the smallest detail. Tourists admire not so much the beauty of the most famous sights as the beauty of the most ordinary streets, because the most famous architects of Russia worked on every building here.
Why you should visit the island
Russians say that you can feel the real past of St. Petersburg and really understand why millions of people love this city so much. This is the place that will answer the question without words. People fall in love with St. Petersburg here, and this is where they want to return again and again. He even attracted poets. So, Brodsky wrote: “I don’t want to choose either a country or a graveyard. I will come to Vasilyevsky Island to die.” Such a statement from a famous creator is difficult to ignore, and his words continue to be quoted in the 21st century.
