Old Saint Petersburg Stock Exchange and Rostral Columns

The Old Saint Petersburg Stock Exchange (also Bourse) and Rostral Columns, located in Saint Petersburg in the Russian Federation, are significant examples of Greek Revival architecture. Designed by French architect Thomas de Thomon (1754-1813), and inspired by the Greek Temple of Hera at Paestum, the stock exchange was constructed between 1805 and 1810. The rostral columns erected on either side of the Stock Exchange were completed in 1811. The Old Saint Petersburg Stock Exchange is located at Birzhevaya Ploschad 4.

Old Stock Exchange

The Old Stock Exchange is sited to fill the majestic sweep of the Spit (in Russian Strelka) of Vasilievsky Island, just opposite the Winter Palace. Thomon's design called for a peristyle of forty four Doric columns resting upon a massive stylobate of red granite and supporting an entablature of triglyphs and slotted metopes. A monumental sculptural group similar in form to a quadriga featuring Neptune, and symbolizing maritime commerce, is mounted above the portico. Both inside and outside the Bourse, a motif of the semicircle is recurrent. The interior features a large colonnaded trading hall, now divided into eight exhibition halls. The central rooms are illuminated by an oblong skylight. The surrounding ceiling features double-sunk coffers.

Use as the Central Naval Museum

The Central Naval Museum traces its founding to Peter the Great's creation of his "Model Chamber" in 1709 – a collection of models of ships in the Russian Navy. In 1805 the collection was augmented and renamed the Russian Naval Museum. Following the Russian Revolution, and the establishment of a Communist economic system, the building ceased to function as a stock exchange. During this period the collection received many pieces confiscated from private collections. In 1939 the Old Stock Exchange was assigned to house the growing collection renamed the Central Naval Museum.

Today the collection has over 8,000 items including a ship belonging to Peter the Great in which he learned to sail while a teenager. The collection includes several ancient ships, model ships, engravings, uniforms and photographs documenting the Russian Navy from the time of the Russian Empire, the U.S.S.R., and Russian Federation.

The Rostral Columns

is visible across the Neva.]] Opposite the exchange building on the Neva, de Thomon designed a semicircular overlook with circular ramps descending to a jetty projecting into the river. This formal approach, is framed by two rostral columns centered on the portico of the Stock Exchange. The Doric columns sit on a granite plinth and are constructed of brick coated with a deep terra cotta red stucco and decorated with bronze anchors and four pairs of bronze ship prows (rostra). Seated marble figures decorate the base of each column each representing the major rivers of Russia — the Volga and Dnieper at the northern Rostral Column, Neva and Volkhov at the southern one. The Rostral Columns were originally intended to serve as beacons and originally were topped by a light in the form of a Greek brazier and lit by oil. The braziers have been removed and the tops of the columns refitted with gas torches that continue to be lit on ceremonial occasions.

References

  • Бунин М. С. Стрелка Васильевского острова: История формирования архитектурного ансамбля. М.; Л., 1958.
  • Канн П. Я. Стрелка Васильевского острова. Л., 1973.

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Arzu
18 May 2014
Marvellous you should come exactly if you have enough time anda money
NeKiPiSHui
11 June 2012
The tip of Vasilievsky island is decorated with pretty floral arrangements and a great view towards Peter-Paul Fortress and the Neva embankment.
Appa Dana
28 August 2018
I could say just perfect????????
Jorge Hernández
13 November 2015
Amazing view for the Fortress and the Hermitage
Ben Baron
9 September 2014
Take in the view of the river and the museums on the water.
superpupsa
16 August 2016
Amazing view
Load more comments
foursquare.com
8.5/10
Den M, Андрей and 83,192 more people have been here
Map
ploshchad' Birzhevaya, 4, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 199034 Get directions
Wed-Thu 3:00 PM–11:00 PM
Fri 2:00 PM–2:00 AM
Sat 1:00 PM–2:00 AM
Sun 1:00 PM–Midnight
Mon 4:00 PM–11:00 PM

Spit of Vasilievsky Island on Foursquare

Old Saint Petersburg Stock Exchange and Rostral Columns on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
STN Apartments by the Hermitage

starting $43

Sonata at Nevsky Hotel

starting $72

Small Central Studio near Ermitasce

starting $56

Modern Studio3 old center near Hermitasce

starting $56

Sonata at Nevsky 5

starting $91

Nevsky 3 Guest House

starting $57

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Rostral column

A rostral column is a monumentally scaled column, originating in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Central Naval Museum

Central Naval Museum (русский. Центральный военно-морской му

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Zoological Museum of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences

The Zoological Museum of the Zoological Institute of the Russian

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Exchange Bridge

Exchange Bridge (Russian: Биржево́й мост) is the bridge across Malay

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kunstkamera

The Kunstkamera or Kunstkammer was the first museum in Russia. It was

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Pushkin House

The Pushkin House (Russian: Пушкинский дом, Pushkinsky Dom) is the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Palace Bridge

Palace Bridge (Russian: Дворцо́вый мост, Dvortsoviy Most) is a ro

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Palace Embankment

The Palace Embankment or Palace Quay (Russian: Дворцовая набережн

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
9/11 Tribute Center

The 9/11 Tribute Center shares personal stories of family members who

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
RRS Discovery

The RRS Discovery was the last wooden three-masted ship to be built

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Bunker Hill Monument

The Bunker Hill Monument was built to commemorate the Battle of Bunker

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Wright Brothers National Memorial

Wright Brothers National Memorial, located in Kill Devil Hills, North

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Australian National Maritime Museum

The Australian National Maritime Museum, a maritime museum operated as

See all similar places