Nevsky Prospekt: sights that can not be missed

Nevsky Prospect is the historical center and heart of Petersburg. And there really is something to see, because every building is a real work of art. But among them there are monuments of architecture, from which one can not look away. What sights on Nevsky Prospekt are required?

The Stroganoffs Palace

At the very beginning of the avenue is located the famous Stroganov Palace. Its erection began in 1753 after the fire destroyed the previous building. The project of the new palace was prepared by the famous architect Francesco Rastrelli. The building was erected in just two years, and after its opening it became a favorite meeting place for the St. Petersburg aristocracy. Often it was visited by writers such as Fonvizin, Derzhavin and Krylov.

After the revolution, the palace was nationalized by the Soviet authorities. Initially, it housed the People's House Museum, and in 1925 the building was transferred to economic institutions. Only by the beginning of the 90s the palace was transferred to the Russian Museum, which immediately began to carry out restoration work there. They were finished only in 2005. Nevsky Prospekt, whose attractions are so fond of tourists, received another restored historical building.

Kazan Cathedral

Kazan Cathedral is one of the famous buildings of St. Petersburg. Under the leadership of architect Voronikhin in 1801, a draft of the cathedral was designed, resembling the appearance of Catholic cathedrals, and not traditional Russian churches.

Construction was completed in 1811. A year later the cathedral was used to store military trophies. During the Patriotic War of 1812, several dozen keys from the captured cities and fortresses of Europe were placed here. In 1812, the temple became the site of the repose of the great Russian commander-in-chief M. I. Kutuzov.

After the October Revolution, the Kazan Cathedral was nationalized, and divine services ceased. The temple was converted into a museum of history and atheism, and until 1992 there were regular tours for tourists. After the collapse of the USSR, it was returned to the ownership of the Orthodox Church, becoming the cathedral of the Northern Capital. In 2001 the icon of Kazan Mother of God was returned to the church, and Orthodox tourists flooded Nevsky Prospekt. The sights of the Kazan Cathedral do not end here. On its territory there are sculptures of two famous Russian generals: MI Kutuzov and MB Barclay de Tolly.

Anichkov Palace

The palace was built by the order of Empress Elizabeth. The purpose of the construction was an attempt to improve entry to St. Petersburg. Nevsky Prospect, whose attractions now extend far beyond the palace, in those years ended just at this place. Anichkov Palace is considered the oldest building on Nevsky Prospekt. Its construction began in 1741, and the design of the building was developed by Mikhail Zemtsov. When the construction was completed, the palace was donated to Elizabeth's former lover Alexei Razumovsky.

After the revolution, the Palace of Pioneers opened in the building, and all the treasures were sold abroad. During the siege of Leningrad, the palace housed a hospital. Now here is the Palace of Young Creativity, as well as guided tours for tourists who visited Nevsky Prospekt. The sights of the palace can be viewed daily from 10 to 18 hours.

The house of the company "Singer"

The construction of a unique building began in 1902. Few people know that Nevsky Prospekt, whose sights are not very high, could have its own skyscraper. After all, it was he who originally planned to build a sewing company "Singer", but this idea was not approved by the authorities of St. Petersburg. Then it was decided to build a six-story building made in the Art Nouveau style. The development of the project took the architect Pavel Suzor. He was the first in Russia used in the construction of metal frames, which made it possible to create large windows-showcases. For those times the building was considered the most modern in the city. It was equipped with elevators, as well as a device for automatic snow removal from the roof.

The building did not belong to the company for long. After the revolution, the house was nationalized, and in the room there were numerous publishers. In 1938, the famous House of the Book opened here, which continues to function to this day. The top floors of the building are occupied by the offices of the famous social network "VKontakte".

Eliseevsky Shop

Another monument of modernity was the building of the trading house of the Eliseev brothers, built in 1904 according to the model of the architect Baranovsky. Here is a shop where you could buy exotic products from around the world. For example, oysters, wine, coffee, truffles, tropical fruits. Here is the theater "Nevsky farce".

After the revolution, the store was handed over to the Soviet authorities. He still worked, but got a new name - "Deli №1". Now rare products were bought by members of the party elite. In the times of general deficit in the store it was possible to buy black caviar, pineapples and smoked sausage. Now the building continues to operate a food store, and in the basement there is a restaurant.

Monument to Catherine II

Monuments everywhere decorate Peter. Nevsky Prospekt, whose sights are not only temples and palaces, is no exception. The main decoration of the street is the monument to Empress Catherine II on Ostrovsky Square. The decision to erect a monument on the centennial of her ascension to the throne arose in 1863, but the preparation of the project was delayed, and the sculpture was established only in 1873.

The monument was designed by sculptor Mikeshin. On the monument, in addition to the empress herself, are outstanding figures of her era. Next to it were placed Potemkin, Suvorov, Derzhavin, Ekaterina Dashkova and others. In 1903 a large-scale restoration of the monument was made. The monument survived the revolution and still stands in its place, ennobling the Nevsky Prospekt.

The sights, photos of which are presented above, have been attracting tourists for many years not only from Russia, but also from other countries of the world. Of course, the article does not list all the important places of the street. Each house of the avenue has its own unique history, so you should spend a lot of time walking around Nevsky.