Slipping through time, imagine Vasilyevsky Island as Peter the Great envisioned it. Canals crisscrossed the landscape, mirroring Amsterdam and Venice. Today, we stand on Birzhevaya Liniya, a street born from this grand vision. Birzhevaya Liniya whispers tales of transformation. Originally, canals lined this area, intended to be the administrative heart of Russia. Stagnant water forced a change of plans. The canals were filled, giving birth to the “lines” of Vasilyevsky Island. These “lines” are not streets in the conventional sense. They represent the sides of the streets, each with its own unique designation. Birzhevaya Liniya holds a special place. Located near the eastern tip of the island, it’s a hub of science and museums. It derives its name from the Old Saint Petersburg Stock Exchange, a historical building nearby. Birzhevaya Liniya runs almost parallel to Mendeleyev Line, named after the famous chemist Dmitry Mendeleyev. He lived and worked in the Twelve Collegia building, now part of Saint Petersburg State University. Here on Birzhevaya Liniya, we see the island’s evolution, from Peter’s initial dream to the vibrant cultural center it is today. The Stock Exchange, once bustling with traders, now stands as a testament to the island’s rich past. Birzhevaya Liniya connects us to this history, offering a glimpse into the ambitions of Peter the Great and the ever-changing face of Saint Petersburg.
М. К. Прудников
Born into a peasant family in 1913, Mikhail Prudnikov’s journey began in a small village nestled within the Tomsk Governorate.