Admiralty Building

Description

The Admiralty building is the former headquarters of the Admiralty Board and the Imperial Russian Navy and since 2012 once again the headquarters of the Russian Navy.The building was re-built in the 19th century to support the Tsar's maritime ambitions. The original design was a fortified shipyard which was later surrounded by five bastions and further protected by a moat.

The Empire Style edifice visible today lining the Admiralty Quay was constructed to Andreyan Zakharov's design between 1806 and 1823. Located at the western end of the Nevsky Prospekt, The Admiralty with its gilded spire topped by a golden weather-vane in the shape of a small sail warship (Korablik), is one of the city's most conspicuous landmarks and the focal point of old St. Petersburg's three main streets - Nevsky Prospect, Gorokhovaya Street, and Voznesensky Prospect - underscoring the importance Peter I placed on Russia's Navy.