The Admiralty is a historic naval building on the south bank of the Neva, at the western end of Nevsky Prospect in central St Petersburg. Its long golden spire, topped by a ship-shaped weather vane, is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. The building houses the Russian Navy academy and is not open to tourists, so plan to see it from outside. Walk around the building and through Alexander Garden for views of its architecture and statues, including figures of Mikhail Glinka and Mikhail Lermontov.
A shipyard at the start of Nevsky Prospect
The Admiralty’s history began in 1704, when Peter the Great established a shipyard on this site. The first ship built there was launched in 1712. An earthen fortification later guarded the port, before a stone Admiralty was built and given a spire. The building was rebuilt during the 18th and 19th centuries, and the spire has remained a defining part of the successive structures.
The Admiralty’s unusual plan is shaped like a broad U, open towards the Neva. That form followed the layout of the shipyard that had occupied the site. Today the building is used by the Russian Navy academy, and visitors admire it from outside.
The spire and its ship
The gilded needle rises above a white-and-yellow building and ends in a weather vane shaped like a caravel. The spire can be seen along Nevsky Prospect and from locations across central St Petersburg, helping orient a walk through the historic centre. The small ship at its tip also appeared periodically on the emblem of local football club Zenit between 1988 and 2013.
Look up from different points around the building to see how the spire stands above the surrounding streets and gardens. The Admiralty lies beside Palace Square and close to the Hermitage, so it fits naturally into a walk between central landmarks.
Alexander Garden and the riverfront
Alexander Garden occupies the area in front of the Admiralty. Its statues include composer Mikhail Glinka and writer Mikhail Lermontov. Another depicts Nikolai Przhevalsky, a 19th-century explorer of Central Asia, accompanied by a camel. Take time to look around the garden as well as at the building itself.
The Admiralty stands on the left, or south, bank of the Neva, at a stretch known as the Bolshaya Neva. The river and nearby embankments give the walk a different perspective from Nevsky Prospect. During summer white nights, evening twilight can merge with the light before morning. Bridge openings for ships are another feature of the city’s river life.
FAQ
Can you go inside the Admiralty?
No. The building houses the Russian Navy academy and is not accessible to tourists.
How long should I spend at the Admiralty?
Allow about 30 to 60 minutes to walk around the exterior and through Alexander Garden.
What should I see at the Admiralty?
Look for the gilded spire topped by a ship-shaped weather vane, then walk through Alexander Garden to see its statues, including those of Mikhail Glinka and Mikhail Lermontov.
Where is the Admiralty in St Petersburg?
It stands on the south bank of the Neva, at the western end of Nevsky Prospect, near Palace Square.
