Petrograd side of St. Petersburg

October. St. Petersburg. Kamennoostrovsky Avenue. But today we won’t follow it. Another time, sure. There is something to see.

We are underground. Just under that avenue. This is the metro station Petrogradskaya. On the subway, we will not roam today too

We got off the subway and turned right around the corner. Narrow alley. Many people. Everyone has their own affairs. But our path lies in the other direction. We will go left. In Russia, “going left” means ... seeking extramarital affairs or a variant of low social responsibility. But just go to the left. Before us will open Leo Tolstoy Square. It is not a pedestrian, but we will violate this rule. Why else do you need rules ... for a violation (actually I was joking, if that).

Why did I break the rules for pedestrians? So that you can consider one beautiful building. Maybe the most beautiful in the city. But everyone has different tastes. This building stands in the way of Bolshoi Avenue. The avenue rests on it and diverges on two sleeves. Thus, the square has five streets at the intersection. The house is called the "Tower House". It is the architectural dominant of Leo Tolstoy Square.

Once on the site of this house was a velodrome and ice rink. The first hockey with a ball match in Russia was held here, as well as a boxing demonstration match. More details can be read here

However, we continue our journey. We will go along Bolshoy Prospect of the Petrograd Side. Small streets and alleys go right and left. Official history says that most houses were built in the 19th century. But there is another story. She claims that the houses were not built, but restored. There is strong evidence for this, but the topic is another conversation. We will just look around and pay attention to various interesting details of modern life and old architecture.

Here I see Egyptian motifs. What does a scarab beetle do in the northern city?

I know exactly what this crow is doing. She hides some food from me

And these are all sorts of minor innovations. They are not always combined correctly with the style of the city. This is an inevitable evil dictated by a thirst for money. But there are good decisions and even funny ones.

This old part of the city cannot be called too green. But there are places where you can find the shade of trees and a bit of peace. The day was a bit rainy. People were not eager for walks. Although there is enough space for walking.

Finally, I reached the street I needed and turned right (mind you, not left). This street was under repair. I will tell you where and why I went in the next part, so as not to overload this post.