This triangular island has been closed to the public for the majority of the last three centuries, and its structures appear to be little more than ruins at present. Its fortunes are slowly changing, however, and it has been taken over by the city authorities who are slowly transforming the island into an arts and entertainment centre. While the island remains closed at the time of writing, parts of it have been open over recent summers, so may be possible to visit during your stay.
In Peter’s time, the complex was used for ship-building (its name refers to the place where he learned the trade). In the 19th century, a large basin was built in the middle of the island. Here experiments were conducted by scientist Alexey Krylov in an attempt to build a boat that couldn’t be capsized. In 1915 the navy built a radio transmitter here – the most powerful in Russia at the time – but it’s been derelict and inaccessible ever since. If you walk by, look out for the impressive red-brick-and-granite arch, designed by Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe in the late 18th century, one of the city’s best examples of Russian classicism.
In its new form, the island is expected to house exhibition spaces, a children's centre, educational facilities, shops, a cinema and even a hotel. Check the website to see if the recent summer openings (for concerts, markets, public art and sports events) are still ongoing before the island's completion, which is due by 2018.
