An Island Unlike Any Other

Vasilievsky Island (Vasileostrovky District) is the largest island in the Neva Delta and one of Saint Petersburg's most fascinating and diverse areas. It was originally intended by Peter the Great to be the city's commercial and civic heart — a Russian Amsterdam, threaded with canals. Though that grand plan was never fully realised, the island retains a character quite distinct from the rest of the city.

A Brief History

Peter the Great envisioned Vasilievsky Island as a hub of trade and scholarship. He established the Kunstkammer (one of Russia's first museums), the Academy of Sciences, and the city's first university here. The grid of "Lines" (Linii) — the island's numbered east-west streets — reflects that original planned layout. Today, the island is home to one of Russia's largest universities and has a distinctly academic, intellectual atmosphere.

The Strelka: Where the City Meets the River

The eastern tip of Vasilievsky Island, known as the Strelka ("arrow"), is one of the most iconic viewpoints in Saint Petersburg. From here, you can look across both branches of the Neva to the Peter and Paul Fortress on one side and the Winter Palace on the other — one of the great urban panoramas in Europe.

The Strelka is dominated by the former Stock Exchange building (now housing the Naval Museum) and flanked by the two Rostral Columns — towering red columns decorated with ships' prows that were used as lighthouses in the 18th century.

Key Attractions on Vasilievsky Island

  • Kunstkamera: Russia's oldest museum, founded by Peter the Great. It originally housed a collection of anatomical curiosities, and while this still forms part of the exhibition, it now also covers anthropology and the history of science.
  • Menshikov Palace: One of the oldest stone buildings in the city, built for Peter's favourite, Alexander Menshikov. Now a branch of the Hermitage.
  • Academy of Arts Museum: A magnificent Neoclassical building housing a collection of Russian academic art and a famous collection of plaster casts of classical sculpture.
  • Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art: Russia's largest private museum of contemporary art, located on the western end of the island — an excellent counterpoint to the city's classical museums.

The Middle of the Island: University Life and Local Streets

Moving away from the grand Strelka into the heart of Vasilievsky Island, the city becomes noticeably more local and lived-in. The numbered Lines are lined with 18th and 19th-century residential buildings, independent cafés, bookshops, and neighbourhood restaurants. This is where students from Saint Petersburg State University live and socialise, giving the area a youthful, creative energy.

The Western End: New Development and the Gulf

The western end of the island has seen significant new development in recent years, with modern residential and commercial buildings near the new Primorsky (Seaside) district. The Gulf of Finland is visible from here, and on clear days the view out towards the open sea is genuinely striking.

Getting There

Vasilievsky Island is well-connected to the rest of the city:

  • Metro: Vasileostrovskaya and Primorskaya stations (Line 3) serve the island.
  • On foot: From the city centre, the island is easily reached by crossing the Palace Bridge (Dvortsovy Most) — itself a landmark worth noting, as it opens to allow ships to pass during the summer nights.
  • Bus and tram: Several routes connect the island to the mainland.

Best Time to Visit

Vasilievsky Island is rewarding at any time of year. In summer, the Strelka is a popular gathering spot during the White Nights, and the drawbridge opening is a spectacular sight. In winter, the frozen Neva and snow-covered embankments create a stark and beautiful atmosphere.