EPOCH OF CLASSICISM IN PETERSBURG ARCHITECTURE

The baroque was replaced with the Russian classicism, that fully met the new tasks and esthetical tastes of the educated people of that time. The beauty of the simple, strict architectural forms in the classical constructions was combined with the demands of the convenience. The great contribution into the classicism formation in Russian architecture, namely Petersburg, was made by the founders of the style - the great Russian architect V.I.Bazhenov, his project was used by the architect V.F.Brenna, who constructed Mikhailovsky (Engineer's) Castle (1797-1800), and I.Ye.Starov, the architect of Taurida Palace (1783-1789 ) and Troitsky Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky Laura (Monastery) (1778-1790).

The great role in the development of classicism in the Russian architecture in the end of 18-start of 19 century was played by G.Quarenghi,who designed the main building of the Academy of Sciences (1783-1789), the building of the Assignation Bank at Sadovaya street (1783-1790),the Hermitage Theatre with the arch over the Swan Ditch (Lebyazhhaya Kanavka) (1783-1787 ), Smolny Institute (1806-1809), Small Gostinny Dvor (1790-s) and other constructions.Ye.T.Sokolov designed the Public Library on the corner of Nevsky avenue and Sadovaya street (1796- 1801). City planning of Russian classicism epoch reached its highest level in the first third of the 19 century, when the most famous and important masterpieces of Russian and world architecture - monumental public houses and palaces were built and the main ensembles in the centre of the city were completed. Since 1802 the problems of city planning and development were solved by the "Committee of the City Duties Administration". In 1808 the "Committee of City Buildings" was organized. It was responsible for the construction and repair of all the government properties. In 1816 the "Committee supervising the Building and Hydraulic Works" was organized. Until 1842 it controlled all the construction works in the city planning.It was managed by C.I.Rossi, V.P.Stasov and A.A.Mikhailov.The prominent engineer A.A.Betankur was the Chairman of the Committee.During this period the architect A.N.Voronikhin constructed the Kazan Cathedral (the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan, 1801-1811) near Nevsky avenue and the building of the Mining Institute on the Neva river embankment (1806-1811). The famous architect Thomas de Thomon designed the splendid Stock Exchange (1805-1810, Central Naval Museum today) and two Rostral Columns (1806) on the Spit of Vassilievsky Island. One of the greatest Russian architects, who created his own "Russian classic" was A.D.Zakharov. His most outstanding work is the building of the Admiralty (1806-1823).It focused not only the best ideas of the famous architect, but the main trends of the whole architectural epoch. V.P.Stasov built Pavlovsky Barracks on the Field of Mars (1817-1820). His best construction is the Moscow Triumphal Gate (1833-1838). The ensembles and buildings, designed by C.I.Rossi between 1818 and 1834, were of the great importance for the city. His first work was Yelagin Palace (1818-1822) with the park, pavilions and service structures (1818-1822 ), rebuilt from the little building according the order of Alexander I. In 1819 Rossi was entrusted to build the Palace for the Grand Prince Mikhail Pavlovich. Mikhailovsky Palace (1819-1825 , Russian Museum today) is one of the best architectural monuments of the epoch. The main reconstruction of the General Staff lasted since 1819 till 1829. C.Rossi elaborated the most simple solution: the correct semicircle for the square with the monumental arch in the center, leading to Morskaya street, completes the ensemble of the Palace Square. The most outstanding masters among the architects of the first half of the 19 century were: Auguste de Montferrand, the author of the monumental St.Isaac's Cathedral (1818-1858), built with the help of many Russian architects and engineers and creator of the Alexander's Column (1830-1834) on the Palace Square, famous with its proportions and beauty, and A.P.Bryullov, the author of the Guard Corps Staff building (1837-1840) on the Palace Square.