Stock Exchange and Columns, St Petersburg, Russia

Side view of the Old St Petersburg Stock Exchange (or Bourse), with the two Rostral Columns fronting onto the River Neva. The Exchange was built between 1805 and 1810 in Greek Revivalist style, inspired by the Greek Temple of Hera at Paestum. It includes forty-four Doric columns, and a sculptural group above the portico featuring Neptune, symbolising maritime commerce. The Rostral Columns were completed in 1811. They are decorated with bronze anchors and four pairs of bronze ship prows (rostra). They were originally intended to serve as beacons and were topped by a light in the form of a Greek brazier and lit by oil. More recently the braziers have been replaced with gas torches which are lit on ceremonial occasions

1805 1810 Bourse Doric Hera Neptune Neva Paestum Portico Revival Revivalist Rostral

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