In the place where the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island pierces the Neva, dividing it into Bolshaya and Malaya, between the two embankments - Makarov and Universitetskaya, one of the most famous architectural ensembles in St. Petersburg flaunts - Birzhevaya Square. Two movable bridges lead here - Birzhevoy and Palace, symbolizing the city in a variety of images. Here is the building of the former Stock Exchange with the Central Naval Museum located in it, the Rostral Columns, recognizable all over the world, rise, a magnificent square is spread. Exchange Square is surrounded by many other attractions and museums of the city.
What led to the appearance of the square on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island?
The history of the Market Square dates back to the beginning of the 18th century. This part of the island was more elevated, so it began to be used earlier than the rest of its territory. The first designs were windmills, until 1729 there was the position of the artillery battery of V. D. Korchmin.
The arrow was chosen for celebrations with fireworks; in the mid-18th century, colorful performances of the “Theater of Illuminations” were arranged here.
In 1716, the development plan of Vasilievsky Island was approved and the first stone and wooden buildings — residential buildings and institutions — began to be built on Strelka. The new business center of the city and, accordingly, the new main city square were to be located here. The proposals of the architects succeeded each other, but did not suit the king until 1722, and the planned temple on the square was never erected, since Peter rejected all his projects in the end.
Since 1728, the wooden pier of the seaport has settled on Strelka, the institutions serving it are located here. The first exchange in Russia has been operating in St. Petersburg since 1703, it was transferred to Vasilyevsky Island along with the port and customs. At first, the exchange was located in one or another wooden building.
The square, which was located right there, played the role of a market; during the navigation season, it traded with foreign merchants. Since 1753, on the city plan, it was called Kollezhskaya.
How did the modern architectural ensemble of Birzhevaya Square arise?
In 1764, a redevelopment project was developed for Strelka Vasilievsky Island, and in 1767 it was approved. The plan provided for a semicircular area. Among other buildings, it was planned and in 1783 the construction of a stone building of the Exchange was started according to the sketches of the architect D. Quarenghi. But it turned out to be unsuccessful, it was rebuilt and completed only during the reorganization of the architectural ensemble in 1804-1810 by the architect Tom de Thomon.
During these large-scale works, Cape Strelka of Vasilievsky Island acquired a now-known appearance - a mound of 123.5 meters was made, lengthening it, the new Exchange building became the main one in composition, College Square remained behind it, and a new semicircular appeared in front of the facade, now almost completely occupied by the square. Rostral columns were erected, banks and descent to the water were decorated. Soon after the completion of the Exchange building, the new square in front of it began to be called the Exchange.
In 1826-32, warehouses and customs were built near the Exchange building.
In 1937, the square was renamed in honor of A.S. Pushkin, it was also planned to erect a monument to the poet (as a result, it was placed on the Square of Arts).
1989 brought the square back to its historical name.
In 2010, the architectural ensemble was equipped with artistic lighting.
