University Embankment




The area bordering the Great Neva directly across from the Admiralty is known as University Embankment. It consists of a number of interesting buildings bordering the river.

Kunstkammer

Around the corner from the Zoological Museum stands the Kunstkammer. Supposedly Peter the Great ordered construction of the Kunstkammer on the site of a tree that had a branch, which grew back into itself in the form of a loop. The Kunstkammer was meant to house Peter's collection of human and animal oddities. It was constructed between 1718 and 1734 and is a prime example of Russian Baroque architecture. The building also contained a tower that was used as an observatory. The original tower collapsed and has been rebuilt three times. Peter considered the Kunstkammer as a place of enlightenment for the people and chose not to charge admission. Visitors were introduced to various animals and humans, deformed or misshapen in various ways. Much of the collection comes from the Dutch anatomist, Frederik Ruysch. The Kunstkammer also contains a giant globe. The globe was stolen by the Germans during World War II from the Russian town, Tsarskoe Selo. In 1947 the globe was returned and given a new home in the tower of the Kunstkammer. The Kunstkammer became the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology in 1878. It now contains collections of items belonging to ancient cultures from around the world.

Academy of Sciences

Standing adjacent to the Kunstkammer is the Academy of Sciences. The Academy of Sciences was originally created by Peter I in 1724. Originally housed in the Kunstkammer, The Academy was given its own home in the late 18th century. The Academy was constructed between 1783 and 1789 by Giacomo Quarenghi. The Academy of the Sciences was eventually moved to Moscow, but the building remains and contains a number of scientific institutions.

Twelve Colleges


Further West along the Embankment stands a long and narrow building known as the Twelve Colleges. This enormous building is actually twelve buildings paced next to each other and connected. Domenico Trezzini built the Twelve Colleges between 1722 and 1742. At this point they were separate buildings placed next to each other, but they were later connected. They were meant to house the Russian government that was broken up into twelve different sections: the senate, the synod, and ten ministries. Peter I imposed this European style of government. In 1835 the Twelve colleges began to be used by St. Petersburg University and still are to this day. A remarkable aspect of the Twelve Colleges is the main hallway, which stretches for half of a kilometer. Lenin, the future leader of the revolution attended the University in the late 19th century.

Menshikov's Palace



Further West from the Twelve Colleges lies Menshikov's Palace, home to Prince Menshikov. Close friend of Peter the Great, Menshikov was given an abundance of land on Vasilyevsky Island and built his mansion along the banks of the Great Neva. The palace was started in 1710, and was designed at various stages by a large number of European architects. The two-story palace is lavish and ornate. Intricate tile work gives the interior a unique feel. Peter, who preferred plainer living arrangements, used Menshikov's Palace to entertain guests and foreign ambassadors. Menshikov eventually attempted to take too much control of St. Petersburg after Peter the Great's death, and was banished to Siberia where he died soon afterwards. His property was confiscated by the state and the palace was used for the First Cadet Corps, the best highschool in Russia. A museum of the Cadet Corps was started in the 1880's and continued until 1924. In the 1970's, the Menshikov Palace became part of the Hermitage and extensive renovations attempted to recreate its original appearance.

Academy of Arts



Past the Menshikov Palace lies the Academy of Arts. The Academy of Arts was built between 1764 and 1768 by Alexander Kokorinov and Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe. The academy was originally intended to train artists from the three major disciplines: painting, sculpture and architecture. In 1764 a junior school was added to the academy, and a class of sixty six-year-olds was enrolled. These children would continue in the academy until they were 15. At that point, if they were not deemed to have a future in the arts, they were given training as craftsmen. Today, the Academy is run by the Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture.

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