Iskusstv Square

Categories / Architecture/Architectural Monuments/Architectural Ensembles
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ISKUSSTV SQUARE, situated between Inzhenernaya Street and Italyanskaya Street. Known as Mikhaylovskaya Square from 1834 to 1918, then called Lassalya Square until 1940, in memory of German socialist F. Lassal (1825-64). The square was constructed as part of the Mikhaylovsky Palace, and makes up a single architectural ensemble with Mikhaylovskaya Street. The square is rectangular as per the planned project; the building facades were embellished by architect C.I. Rossi to form a single style with the Mikhaylovsky Palace. House No. 1 formerly accommodated the Mikhaylovsky Theatre (1831-33, architect A.P. Brullov, M.P. Mussorgsky Opera and Ballet Theatre at present). House No. 3 was built in the 1820s for P.V. Golenishchev-Kutuzov, and house No. 5 was architect P.P. Jacot's private residence (1831, added onto in 1863, architect J.D. Corsini; completely rebuilt in 1990-91, facades preserved). From 1912 to 1915, the building housed the Stray Dog cabaret theater, re-established in 2001. House No. 2 was occupied by P.P. Svinyin in the 1820s-30s, then by O.I. Senkovsky (Sekowski) in the 1840s. In 1903, the building was demolished, with the purpose of erecting a new City Duma or State Bank building (neither project was implemented); in 1937, a school was built there (architect N.A. Trotsky; in 1947, the front of the school was stylised to match the square, architect A.A. Kedrinsky). The school is now a gymnasia associated with the Russian Museum. House No. 4 (1830-32, architect A.M. Bolotov) belonged to Count Matv. Y. Vielgorsky (see The Vielgorskys), who held musical and literary salons. The front of the Lazarev Residence overlooks Iskusstv Square (13 Italyanskaya Street; 1799-1802, architect E.T. Sokolov; rebuilt in 1892-96, architect A.S. Khrenov, and in 1910, architect A.A. Maximov). In the early 20th century, the building belonged to Grand Prince Nikolay Nikolaevich the Younger. Starting in 1910, it accommodated the Palace-Theatre, then from 1929 to 1934 gave way to the Music Hall, directed by I.O. Dunaevsky. From 1938 on, the building housed the Musical Comedy Theatre. The Assembly of Nobility gathered at house No. 9 on Italyanskaya Street (1834-39, architect Jacot; added onto in 1899-1901, architect A.P. Maximov), and included a white columned hall that hosted symphonic concerts (known as the Bolshoy (Grand) Philharmonic Hall since 1921). A public garden was laid out in the square's centre in 1827-28 (re-planned in the second half of the 19th century and in 1949, architects E.I. Katonin, V.D. Kirkhoglani). In 1957, a monument to A.S. Pushkin was erected on the square (sculptor M.K. Anikushin, architect V.A. Petrov). In 1999-2001, Iskusstv Square was paved with granite slabs (architect F.K. Romanovsky).

Y. M. Piryutko. Anikushin Mikhail Konstantinovich
Bolotov Andrey Mikhailovich
Bryullov Boris Pavlovich
Corsini Jeronim Domenikovich
Dunaevsky Isaak Osipovich
Golenishchev-Kutuzov Pavel Vasilievich
Jacot Pavel Petrovich
Katonin Evgeny Ivanovich
Kedrinsky Alexander Alexandrovich
Khrenov Alexander Sergeevich
Kirkhoglani Valerian Dmitrievich
Lassal Ferdinand
Maximov Alexander Alexandrovich
Maximov Alexander Pavlovich
Mussorgsky Modest Petrovich
Nikolay Nikolaevich (Jr.), Grand Prince
Petrov Vasily Alexandrovich
Pushkin Alexander Sergeevich
Romanovsky Felix Karlovich
Rossi Carl Ivanovich (Carlo Giovanni)
Senkovsky Osip Ivanovich (Yuzef Yulian)
Sokolov Egor Timofeevich
Svinyin Pavel Petrovich
the Lazarevs
Trotsky Noy Abramovich
Vielgorsky Mikhail Yurievich
Inzhenernaya Street/Saint Petersburg, city
Iskusstv Square/Saint Petersburg, city
Iskusstv Square/Saint Petersburg, city, house 1
Iskusstv Square/Saint Petersburg, city, house 2
Iskusstv Square/Saint Petersburg, city, house 4
Iskusstv Square/Saint Petersburg, city, house 3
Iskusstv Square/Saint Petersburg, city, house 5
Italyanskaya Street/Saint Petersburg, city, house 9
Italyanskaya Street/Saint Petersburg, city
Italyanskaya Street/Saint Petersburg, city, house 13
Mikhailovsky Palace
Mussorgsky Opera and Ballet Theatre
Stray Dog, Cabaret
Musical Comedy Theatre
1957