The European Architects The European Architects of St. Petersburgof St. Petersburg

By Joshua WoodBy Joshua Wood

IntroductionIntroduction

St. Petersburg founded by Tsar Peter I in 1703.St. Petersburg founded by Tsar Peter I in 1703. It was founded on the Neva River, and was modeled It was founded on the Neva River, and was modeled

after European urbanization and architecture as a after European urbanization and architecture as a sign of Peter’s attempts at modernization.sign of Peter’s attempts at modernization.

The city was also founded partly to serve as an The city was also founded partly to serve as an outpost against the Swedes during the Northern outpost against the Swedes during the Northern War.War.

Peter sought out European architects and other Peter sought out European architects and other artisans to build his new city based on the European artisans to build his new city based on the European model. Swiss architects from Ticino came and built model. Swiss architects from Ticino came and built the city over several decades. These architects’ the city over several decades. These architects’ families would become well known in St. Petersburg, families would become well known in St. Petersburg, and would bring a new culture and way of life at and would bring a new culture and way of life at Peter’s request.Peter’s request.

Domenico AdaminiDomenico AdaminiArrives in St. Petersburg in Arrives in St. Petersburg in

1816 and begins work on 1816 and begins work on the palace of Grand Duke the palace of Grand Duke Nicolas, and Nicolas, and reconstruction of the reconstruction of the Winter Palace.Winter Palace.

In 1825 he is given the In 1825 he is given the award of St. Anna for his award of St. Anna for his contribution to the contribution to the construction of the new construction of the new city.city.

Carlo RossiCarlo Rossi

After travelling in Europe After travelling in Europe and Russia, he comes to and Russia, he comes to St. Petersburg in 1812 and St. Petersburg in 1812 and is appointed chief architect is appointed chief architect of the court.of the court.

His works include Glazovo His works include Glazovo Estate, the Anchikov Estate, the Anchikov Palace, and the Yelagin Palace, and the Yelagin Palace.Palace.

Anchikov Palace

Marco RuggiaMarco Ruggia

In 1787 he begins work on In 1787 he begins work on the stock exchange at the the stock exchange at the imperial court Zarenhof.imperial court Zarenhof.

He continues working in He continues working in St. Petersburg and St. Petersburg and eventually becomes court eventually becomes court architect in 1820.architect in 1820.

Pietro Antonio TrezziniPietro Antonio Trezzini

Trezzini arrives in St. Trezzini arrives in St. Petersburg in 1726 and Petersburg in 1726 and works on the interior of the works on the interior of the twelve colleges.twelve colleges.

In 1743 he works on In 1743 he works on reconstructing the reconstructing the Transfiguration Cathedral. Transfiguration Cathedral. In 1745 under orders of In 1745 under orders of Empress Elizabeth I, he Empress Elizabeth I, he bases the Cathedral off of bases the Cathedral off of Moscow’s five domed Moscow’s five domed churches.churches.

Transfiguration Cathedral

Domenico TrezziniDomenico Trezzini

The father of Pietro The father of Pietro Trezzini, he reaches St. Trezzini, he reaches St. Petersburg in 1704. By Petersburg in 1704. By 1706 he is appointed head 1706 he is appointed head architect of the Office of architect of the Office of Defense and Construction. Defense and Construction. At this point he begins At this point he begins work on the Peter and Paul work on the Peter and Paul Fortress.Fortress.

He builds Peter’s Winter He builds Peter’s Winter and Summer Palaces, and and Summer Palaces, and would jointly design the would jointly design the Twelve Colleges.Twelve Colleges.

Peter and Paul Fortress

ConclusionConclusion

During Peter’s reign, extraordinary changes During Peter’s reign, extraordinary changes were imposed on Russia as a whole in an were imposed on Russia as a whole in an attempt to modernize the country. This attempt to modernize the country. This Europeanization of the country can perhaps Europeanization of the country can perhaps best be seen in the construction of the city of best be seen in the construction of the city of St. Petersburg. This city is a living testament St. Petersburg. This city is a living testament to the cultural change brought to Russia from to the cultural change brought to Russia from the west. It is through the European the west. It is through the European architects that planned and built the city that architects that planned and built the city that we see the cultural link behind the we see the cultural link behind the modernization of parts of this vast nation.modernization of parts of this vast nation.