The Admiralty Building

Admiralty building view from Palace Square

In the very first years of the future capital of the Russian Empire, St. Petersburg was built more like an outpost; the first master plan for the city was developed only in 1712. Until that time, not a single construction project existed. Often based upon the already-existing roads and settlements, Peter first began to implement the new capital plan with the stone buildings modeled after those of Western European cities.

Admiralty.View from the Palace Square 1810 Painter: Bart  [1] 

Admiralty building
drawing XVII cnt by Chelnokov

Construction of all administrative, residential, retail, transportation facilities worked to address the fundamental needs of a young, developing coastal town, namely shipbuilding and fortification.


After the construction of the fortress on Vasilevsky Island in 1703, another fortification was installed in November 1704 in front of the main fortress on the left bank of the Neva, the dockyard-castle "Admiralteystvo".

The first drawings were made by Peter himself, and in his private traveling journal he wrote:
"I have just laid the Admiralty, 200 sazhens* long and 10 sazhens wide, but they will have fun in the tavern." (*obsolete Russian unit of length, equivalent to 2.1336 meters)

Part of the city plan  [1]

  The Admiralty was the compositional center of the famous "Admiralty trident", a parallel three-street system in the city center. In 1737, "The Commission of St. Petersburg Construction" gave the Admiralty its city-forming role. Its spire was decided to be the focus of not only Nevsky and Voznesensky Prospekts, but also of the central branch (Gorokhovaya street).
This method of urban design was not an entirely new concept; a similar solution was used by Italian architects to create the Piazza del Popolo in Rome.

Admiralty building
view from Voznesensky Prospekt

Initially, the Admiralty was a great rectangular plot, built up on three sides by ten berths (facilities for building and repairing vessels), timber stores (warehouses) and a central wooden tower with an iron spire.

From 1711 to 1718 the Admiralty was surrounded by moats and stone-clad slabs, behind which stood behind the parapet with six bastions. It was built up on three sides and open on the fourth to the Neva River. Against the open side was a large entrance and main gate, over which halls for the meeting the Admiralty College board were constructed. Around the building were building materials and various workshops including a large forge. One of the wings housed a drafting hall, where ship plans were drawn up. In the college, the art of war was taught.

Admiralty
 veiw from Vasilievskii island

The boat on the spire of the Admiralty is one of the symbols of the city of St. Petersburg. On the facade of the building you can find sculptures, whose images were inspired by the sea, and legends and myths associated with it. The boat also emphasizes the naval function of the building. The first Russian warship “Eagle” was considered the prototype of the boat crowning the Admiralty spire. Indeed, something had to conserve the memory of the famous ship. The model was placed on the steeple in 1719 by Herman van Boles.

Admiralty view from Palace Square

Between 1806-1823, by decree of Alexander I, the architect Zakharov reconstructed and renovated the Admiralty. During this time, the fortifications were deemed useless, and were demolished. Zakharov built third building of the Admiralty, which has become a symbol of sea power in Russia. The length of the main façade is 408 meters, and the height of the tower including the spire is 72 feet. The boat itself weighs 65 kg, and is covered by two kilograms of pure gold. The original design of the tower by the architect Khorobov remained intact. Zakharov only "dressed" the tower in an external "box".

Admiralty View from Vasilievskii island

 According to Zakharov’s design the base of the tower was fortified in a strong cubic shape, instead of constructing a multi-windowed entrance area. Outside, the vault is decorated with two stacked arches. In the gaps between the arches are clock faces. From the Neva, the building is flanked by the West and East pavilions.

Admiralty western pavilion and Saint Isaac's Cathedral

Of particular importance in the architectural composition of the Admiralty is the element of sculpture. On the frontal wall of the side pavilions are reliefs depicting the Greek goddess of justice Themis. The central arch is flanked on either side by high pedestals of statues of nymphs bearing globes (sculptor F. Shchedrin). Hovering above the arch of Glory and the bas-relief is the allegorical "The institution of the fleet in Russia" (Sculptor II Terebenev). At the corners of the first tier are figures of ancient heroes: Alexander the Great, Achilles, Ajax and Pyrrhus. Twenty-eight sculptural allegories are located above the colonnade, they include representations of the elements fire, water, earth, and air; four seasons; four winds; the muse of astronomy and patroness of sailors, Urania; the Egyptian goddess, Isis; and others.

Panorama view
Google maps view

Supporting materials have been taken from:
[1] Walking in St. Petersburg http://walkspb.ru
Buzinov VM Palace Square. An informal guide "Tsentrpoligraf", 2006
Pilyavsky VI, Tietz A. Ushakov, YS History of Russian Architecture: A Textbook for high schools .- M.: Architecture-C, 2020