Admiralty in St. Petersburg -. One of the most beautiful and famous monuments of the capital of North Construction was started in 1704 according to the drawings of Peter I on the island between the Neva and the Moika (the island was named Admiralty). Admiralty was conceived as a major shipbuilding Russian shipyard on the Baltic Sea and
Next was the center of ship building. Admiralty rooms were masterskimi.Verf by ship was built by the letter “P”, the main façade had a length of 425 meters, the side walls – 213 m Admiralty and performed defensive function:. It was a fortress enclosed by an earthen rampart with 5-D earthen ramparts and a deep moat. Around the perimeter with 2 sides dug 2 channel. To review the enemy around the building was cut down forest. So there Admiralty meadow. The first ship of the Admiralty shipyard was launched on April 29, 1706.
During the reign of Peter I the stocks Admiralty came down 262 warships. Building of ships lasted until 1844 year.
In 1711, in the center of the main facade built tower with a spire with a ship. Under a ship was a gilded ball, inside of which – gold Potbelly with samples of coins minted in St. Petersburg. Now Boat, Bronze Horseman and dissolved Palace bridge against the backdrop of the fortress are the symbols of St. Petersburg.
Admiralty building and the area around it was reconstructed several times.
So in 1732-1738 gg. under the direction of architect I.K.Korobova built stone building Admiralty. The ship weathervane on the spire raised on 72-meter height.
The beginning of the 19th century reconstruction of the building was carried out under the supervision of the famous architect AD Zakharova. The complex has been completely rebuilt. The building was three storeys, adorned with 56 statues, 11 reliefs and 350 moldings. architect’s idea was to glorify the power of Russian fleet, strengthening the image of Russia as a naval power.
At the foot of the towers on the sides of the arches on granite pedestals are sea nymphs bearing the earthly and heavenly spheres. On the pediments of the side porticoes depicts the Greek goddess of justice Themis, reward soldiers and artisans. Above the arch of the central tower – two floating Glory with bowed banners. Above them – bas “The institution of the fleet in Russia” at the corners of the first tier, on the parapet of the tower – the figures of ancient heroes – Alexander, Pyrrhus, Ajax and Achilles. Above the colonnade – 28 sculptural allegories: fire, water, earth, air, four seasons, four cardinal points, the Muse of Astronomy – Urania and patron saint of sailors, the Egyptian goddess Isis and others. At the top of the central tower – golden dome with a clock and an octagonal lantern with a small cupola, passing in spire height of 23 meters. Reconstruction was also carried out in 1928, 1977, 1997-1998.
Admiralty building occupied by naval and educational institutions, Ministry of the Navy, Naval Staff, School of Naval Architecture. Now the building is located Admiralty Naval Engineering Institute im.FEDzerzhinskogo
During World War II the spire or dome was sheathed, but the Admiralty building still suffered from shelling and bombs. Leningradites restored complex.
With Admiralty, which is a monument of early classicism, began the birth of the fleet in Russia, the development of shipbuilding and maritime power of Russia.