Universitetskaya Embankment, 7/9
1722-42. Architect D.Trezzini; from 1734-with the 
participation of D.Trezzini, T. Schwertferger 
and M.Zemtsov
Now the Petersburg University (main building)

This is one of the earliest 18th-century structures, 
a rarest example of a public building of the period. 
It was designed to accommodate the highest 
bodies of state power in Russia - the Senate and 
the Collegia (Ministries) instituted by Peter the 
Great. In 1724, after the construction had been 
started, a competition for the best design was 
announced for the first time in Russian History. 
The building consists of twelve separate parts (by 
the number of ministries), joined into a single 
whole. The main facade of enormous length 
(approx. 400m) faces east, while its flanking part 
overlooks the |Neva|Custom1|O:127|.Later the building was partly 
(in 1819), and, further, wholly (in 1835) 
transferred to the possession of the Petersburg 
University. Consequently, in 1834-38, it was partly 
rebuilt (architect A. Shchedrin). The open arcade 
was glazed; a garden was laid out along the 
facade fenced with