Strelka, the very place where Neva River splits is one of the gorgeous tourist's attractions of St. Petersburg. This place once supposed to be the center of the new capital when Peter the Great had capital moved to the still constructing city of Saint Petersburg, though it didn't become the center of the new capital, it is now one of the favorite tourist's attractions of the city. It locates at the southeastern of the Vasilievsky Island at the very location where the Neva River splits into the Bolshaya Neva and Malaya Neva.
At the time when Peter the Great decided to move the capital to the St Petersburg, he chose the Strelka for the center of his new capital. However, because of the difficulties to access the mainland and its not so good strategic location, the plans proceeded slowly, and after a while, it completely dropped. Although, it became a favorite attraction for tourists in the future.
The main reason behind its popularity is the architectural complex of the area which is somehow attractive in some aspects. The complex which is located in the east part of the island is the oldest part of the city. The complex is built around its main structure which is the old stock exchange building and the two Rostral Columns in front of it. There are several structures in this complex such as the Kunstkamera, the twelve colleges, and the St. Andrew's Cathedral which caught tourists' attention.
While the first stock exchange building was built at the same location in 1730 and reconstructed by Giacomo Quarenghi in 1804, the reconstructed building didn't please anyone and right after it finished, the whole project was demolished, so that the French architect Thomas de Thomon could build his version instead. He designed the building in the style of neoclassical architecture and by imitating the Greek’s temples architecture. The new building was decorated with Greek mythical gods' sculptures and symbols too. The Old Stock Exchange building turned into the Central Naval Museum after the October Revolution from 1939 to 2010, and currently, it's the property of State Hermitage Museum.
In front of the Old Stock Exchange building, two rostral columns are one of the most important symbols of St Petersburg. These two columns which are each at a side of the Strelka's cape has one of the gorgeous panoramic views over the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, and the Admiralty building. These two 32 meters tall columns which are a symbol of the Russia victories in the sea battles, decorated with sculptures and objects that symbolizes the four main rivers of Saint Petersburg. However, the main purpose of these two was to guide the ships and boats through the river.
Currently, one of the most popular attractions in the city is the Strelka which is way more crowded during the national holidays and celebrations. This area with its interesting architecture which is the oldest part of the city, and also the symbols and objects around the area attracts lots of attention toward itself. Besides the panoramic view to the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Winter Palace across the river, there's a small park in front of the Old Stock Exchange building between the two columns which is a peaceful place for walking far from the crowded city especially around the winter palace. Also, this is the best place to take a few panoramic pictures of the Neva River and the attractions around it. This area with its amazing architecture is generally one of the significant tourist's attractions of the city of Saint Petersburg.
If you want to find more about St. Petersburg attractions or what places should you visit on your travel to St. Petersburg, feel free to ask our experts at Star Travel Group or check out our blog pages.
