188. The Admiralty & Admiralteyskaya Metro Station
The Admiralty is one of the most prominent landmarks along the Neva River in the city center. This row of buildings was constructed in the Russian Empire style from 1806-1823, and occupies the entirety of the Admiralteyskaya Embankment between the Palace Bridge
next to the Winter Palace to the east, and the Bronze Horseman and St. Isaac's Cathedral to the west. Three of the main streets in the city center (Nevsky Prospekt, Gorokhovaya Ulitsa, and Voznesensky Prospekt) all converge on the Admiralty, so you can see it from a few kilometers to the east or south as you walk or drive toward the heart of the city. The weather vane in the shape of a sailing ship atop the main spire is one of the most recognizable symbols of St. Petersburg.
The original Admiralty complex was established in 1706 as a shipyard, and produced 262 warships over a span of 140 years. The current buildings were subsequently used as the home of the Sea Ministry, the Central Naval Headquarters, the Naval Museum, and the Revolutionary Naval Committee. From 1925 until the early 2000s, the Admiralty was the home of the Dzerzhinsky Higher Naval College. The Russian Naval headquarters moved back into the Admiralty in 2012. As a military building, it is no longer open to visitors, so I'm not sure what the extensive complex looks like on the inside, but I've certainly admired the exterior from many vantage points throughout the city.
The Admiralteyskaya Metro Station is the closest subway stop to the Admiralty. It was opened in December 2011, so it is among the newest stations in central St. Petersburg. The underground station area was actually built in 1997, but the construction process took the better part of two decades due not only to the poor quality of the soil in the area but also to the challenge of finding a suitable lobby and entrance location in such a historic part of the city.
The St. Petersburg Metro system has a greater average depth than any other subway system in the world, and the Admiralteyskaya Station at 86 meters (282 feet) below ground level is the deepest in Russia, and one of the deepest in the world. The main escalator is 125 meters (410 feet) long, which is apparently the maximum length that escalators can be safely built. A second escalator that is 25 meters (82 feet) long carries passengers the remaining distance to the tracks. An interesting diagram available here shows a profile view of the entire station and access route.
The station is filled with artwork and details that recognize the area's importance in Russia's naval history. Some of the marble used in the station walls was chosen because its color is reminiscent of the waves of the Baltic Sea, and numerous sculptures of Russian admirals and naval commanders are located throughout the station. My favorite elements, however, are the beautiful mosaics. The most prominent (at the end of the platform) is the mosaic "Founding of the Admiralty by Peter I" by Alexander K. Bystrov. Other panels in the station show the sea god Poseidon, an early view of St. Petersburg from the Neva River with Peter the Great in the foreground, and a character that I guess might be intended to represent Mother Russia, sitting in front of a tall ship.
The Admiralty:
Admiralteyskaya Metro Station:
The original Admiralty complex was established in 1706 as a shipyard, and produced 262 warships over a span of 140 years. The current buildings were subsequently used as the home of the Sea Ministry, the Central Naval Headquarters, the Naval Museum, and the Revolutionary Naval Committee. From 1925 until the early 2000s, the Admiralty was the home of the Dzerzhinsky Higher Naval College. The Russian Naval headquarters moved back into the Admiralty in 2012. As a military building, it is no longer open to visitors, so I'm not sure what the extensive complex looks like on the inside, but I've certainly admired the exterior from many vantage points throughout the city.
The Admiralteyskaya Metro Station is the closest subway stop to the Admiralty. It was opened in December 2011, so it is among the newest stations in central St. Petersburg. The underground station area was actually built in 1997, but the construction process took the better part of two decades due not only to the poor quality of the soil in the area but also to the challenge of finding a suitable lobby and entrance location in such a historic part of the city.
The St. Petersburg Metro system has a greater average depth than any other subway system in the world, and the Admiralteyskaya Station at 86 meters (282 feet) below ground level is the deepest in Russia, and one of the deepest in the world. The main escalator is 125 meters (410 feet) long, which is apparently the maximum length that escalators can be safely built. A second escalator that is 25 meters (82 feet) long carries passengers the remaining distance to the tracks. An interesting diagram available here shows a profile view of the entire station and access route.
The station is filled with artwork and details that recognize the area's importance in Russia's naval history. Some of the marble used in the station walls was chosen because its color is reminiscent of the waves of the Baltic Sea, and numerous sculptures of Russian admirals and naval commanders are located throughout the station. My favorite elements, however, are the beautiful mosaics. The most prominent (at the end of the platform) is the mosaic "Founding of the Admiralty by Peter I" by Alexander K. Bystrov. Other panels in the station show the sea god Poseidon, an early view of St. Petersburg from the Neva River with Peter the Great in the foreground, and a character that I guess might be intended to represent Mother Russia, sitting in front of a tall ship.
The Admiralty:
Admiralteyskaya Metro Station:
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