Silver Rows

The Silver Rows is an architectural monument of classicism, erected in 1784-1786 by the architect Giacomo Quarenghi. The architectural appearance of the building has come down to us almost unchanged.

The name of the building dates back to the first half of the 18th century: at the end of the 1730s, one-story wooden shops with galleries were located on this site, which traded in silver and precious stones. They burned down in 1783. By order of merchants and at their expense, stone Silver Rows were built here.

Quarenghi used here one of his favorite compositional themes - a two-tiered arcade, echoing the Gostiny Dvor located nearby. In the lower tier, finished with rustication, the arcade was open. The two upper floors are united by false arches and semi-columns. In 1878, the gallery was glazed, doors and showcases were installed in the front arcade.

In 1955, the inner walls on the first floor of the building were dismantled and a large trading floor was set up. For a long time, the Dynamo sporting goods store was located here. During the reconstruction of the "Silver Rows" in 1981-1982. the lower gallery was reopened, and in 1999 it was glazed.

After the sports store, there was an art goods store on the ground floor, then a jewelry store and other stores. Until 2005, the St. Petersburg Cultural Foundation operated on the second floor, and today the directorate of the St. Isaac's Cathedral is located here.