History
The banks of Neva-river, buildings’ maze…
From sun to sun, we wish to wander here…
The Peter’s potentate and splendid place
Arose, to be enthroned everywhere…
History of Petrogradskaya Side
Rich history of Petrogradskaya Side is inseparable from the history of Saint Petersburg, since it is here that the city was founded to become the capital of Russia for many years to come.
Traditionally, Petrogradskaya Side (in the 18th century – Gorodovaya Side, Gorodskaya Side, and until 1914 – Peterburgskaya Side) includes a group of islands, with the largest one bearing the name of Petrogradsky (formerly, Peterburgsky). This is the oldest historic district of the city founded by Peter the First in 1703 by laying the Peter-and-Paul Fortress, then called Sankt-Peters-Burch, on the Jänissaari (Zayachy (Hare)) Island.
It is Petrogradsky Island that accommodated the first buildings of the city, which are the Peter’s wooden house, the first mint, the Senate house, and the customs; diplomatic missions of European countries and administrative offices are opening here. The Trinity Cathedral erected on the first square of the city became the main cathedral church of the capital. The city center was initially established just beside of the fortress.
However, for a long period afterwards, the island district was cut off from the “Mainland” by the absence of bridges or ferries; it was green and clean there. Aristocrats, political barons, and bank owners took pleasure in erecting their residences on the Peterburgskaya Side.
Following the emergence of bridges in the late 19th century, most intensive construction projects were concentrated on the Peterburgskaya Side. Within a decade, its architectural appearance changed completely: one-floor small wooden houses were replaced by magnificent quarters of high-rise tenement buildings, and significant public institutions. Masters of “frozen music” such as F. Lidval, E. Virrich, V. Shaub, L. Benois, A. Ackerman, D. Kryzhanovsky, A. Belogrud, and many others could show their creative abilities in this place. At that particular time, scientific and creative elite began concentrate in this part of the city.
Petrogradskaya Side or Petrogradka, as the local residents call it, is a completely unique part of the city to love and be proud of.
In addition to the beautiful architecture of the streets and charm of the small yards, there you will find all necessary things for convenient everyday life, work, and leisure time, including a variety of shops, exquisite restaurants, shopping centers, small cozy coffee-houses; theater and sports life of the city is pulsing through this quarter as well.