Presidential Library's online projecttells about history of Senate and Synod buildings

The Presidential Library, which is located in the historic building of the Holy Synod, invites you to explore the online project "Ensemble of Buildings of the Senate and Synod".

The architectural ensemble of the Senate and Synod stands in the heart of St. Petersburg, near St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Bronze Horseman, and it is directly linked to the history of our city and the Russian Empire. It reflects the changes in architecture and the functional purpose of buildings in the region.

The online project allows visitors to learn about the main stages in the development of central St. Petersburg and the history of the Senate and Synod buildings. It also provides information about the activities of various institutions that have occupied these buildings over time.

The first section of the project covers the history of this place from 1703 to 1834, when it was the main shipbuilding center of the capital. From the very beginning, the Admiralty and its numerous services were located there. Visitors to the Presidential Library's portal can view ancient engravings, plans, and maps depicting the main sights of St. Petersburg during that time, including the first buildings of St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Senate, and the surrounding squares.

A separate section tells about the construction of the ensemble of buildings of the Senate and Synod, one of the most famous architectural monuments of Russian classicism. The beginning of its history can be traced back to August 10, 1827, when Emperor Nicholas I visited the Senate. He found the building cramped and the premises untidy. A special architectural competition was then announced in order to give the building a more appropriate character for the vast square. From the works submitted, the emperor chose the design of Karl Ivanovich Rossi, an outstanding architect.

The section details the process of designing and constructing the new buildings. The Senate building was completed in November 1835 and the Synod's building a year later. From their construction until 1917, these buildings were under the jurisdiction of the institutions they served.

From 1922 to 2006, the Senate and Synod buildings were occupied by the Historical Archive (today the Russian State Historical Archive). A separate section of the Internet project contains photographs of the archive and its staff taken in the 1920s and 1980s.

On January 31, 2007, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order "On the establishment of the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library." The historical Synod building in St. Petersburg was chosen as the location of the library. This document is presented in the section on the institution.
Thanks to the interactive project, you can find out how the restoration and reconstruction of the building took place in 2007-2009. For example, during the architectural and construction works, the courtyard, which used to house outbuildings, became a representative Pillared Hall, where events of various formats are held today, including at the highest state level.

Virtual projects are an actively growing area of activity for the Presidential Library. Thanks to these projects, unique materials are made available to a wider audience. One can explore virtual tours and excursions on the Presidential Library's portal in the Exhibitions section. The link is https://www.prlib.ru/about_exhibition.