“What secrets does this street hold?” That is what many ask about Birzhevoy Proezd. We are standing on Birzhevoy Proezd in Saint Petersburg. This street is more than just a path. It is a connector of histories.
Birzhevoy Proezd links us to the Old Saint Petersburg Stock Exchange. The Stock Exchange stands proudly nearby. This area was once planned as the city’s heart. Italian architect Domenico Trezzini designed it. He envisioned it as a center for trade. It would host the Stock Exchange and shops.
Later, Jean-Francois Thomas de Thomon redesigned the Stock Exchange. He chose the style of ancient Greek temples. In front, the Rostral Columns rose. Figures at their bases represent Russia’s great rivers. These are the Volga, Dnieper, Neva, and Volkhov.
The ensemble included customs warehouses. Architect Ivan Lukin built these in 1826-1832. Granite embankments frame the Spit. Large stone balls sit on pedestals. Samson Sukhanov, a stonemason, carved them. He used no measuring tools.
In 1894, a fenced garden appeared. It had benches, sculptures, and vases. This was between Birzhevaya Ploshchad and the river. In the 20th century, protests filled the square. Speakers used the Exchange steps as podiums. In 1920, the park became a kitchen garden. It helped save people from starvation. A flood in 1924 destroyed the garden. The square was rebuilt in 1926.
For a time, the square was named after Pushkin. In 1960, the Birzhevoy Bridge was completed. It mirrors the Palace Bridge. Both have the same dimensions. In 1989, the square regained its historic name.
Birzhevoy Proezd provides access to the Northern Warehouse. The Northern Warehouse is located at Birzhevoy Proezd 2. The Northern Warehouse was built between 1826 and 1832. Ivan Lukin was the architect.
Today, Birzhevoy Proezd is a popular spot. Locals and tourists both visit. Wedding parties often stop here. It offers some of the best views of fireworks over the Neva.
As you stand here on Birzhevoy Proezd, consider its layers. It has seen trade, protests, and rebuilding. It connects the past with the present. Birzhevoy Proezd is a vital thread in the city’s fabric. It is more than just a street. It is a living piece of St. Petersburg’s story.