Architectural Palimpsest — St Petersburg University
The Exhibition Hall of the Twelve Collegia building at St Petersburg University will host the exhibition "Architectural Palimpsest: St Petersburg University", celebrating the University’s birthday.
The exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the architectural identity of Russia’s oldest educational and research institution. Over three centuries, the University has witnessed diverse scientific schools, cultural projects, and historical milestones, reflected in its architectural evolution. From classicism to historicism and St Petersburg modernism, the buildings tell stories of changing eras, owners, and urban development.
The term "palimpsest" refers to a multi-layered structure where each layer remains visible and significant. Similarly, the University’s buildings — once government offices, mansions, and palaces— retain traces of their past while serving new purposes today.
Highlights include a 3D model of the Twelve Collegia building, accompanied by lithographic works by artist Olga Vasilyeva, created for the University’s 300th anniversary. The exhibition also features late 19th-century photographs from the University’s History Museum, showcasing interiors, laboratories, and the Botanical Garden.
Additionally, Olga Vasilyeva’s engravings from the "University" and "Vasilyevsky Island" series will be displayed, including a view of the fountain created for the University’s 300th anniversary and a winter scene of the main entrance with the recently installed monument to Count Uvarov.