Petersburg discoveries - five viewing platforms.

Photo studio them. Karla Bulla is one of the "hidden" sights of St. Petersburg. This chamber museum, whose second name is the Karl Bulla Historical Photography Foundation, is located in the heart of northern capital but not everyone is aware of its existence. In the same building with the museum, various institutions and institutions are located, in addition, there is a unique viewing terrace from which you can appreciate the beauty of the city. Those who wish to visit the Karl Bulla Museum in St. Petersburg and learn about its history will find all the necessary information in the article.

History of the photo salon

The photo studio of Karl Bulla is the oldest studio in the whole territory of Russia. Its history began back in the distant 50s. years XIX century - in fact, then debut photographs began to appear in Russia.

The first owner of the photo studio was Karl Kulish. Now it is impossible to reliably establish in what year he gave birth to his offspring on Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg. Presumably, this happened before 1858. Over the next few decades, the salon changed several owners, until approximately in 1906-1908 Karl Karlovich Bulla, who was then at the peak of fame and popularity, became its owner. The family of the master also began to live in the purchased house.

The revolution did not finally "kill" the photo studio - it continued to live, but already in the status of a state institution. As evidenced by the biography of Karl Bulla, he hastily emigrated from the country in 1917, and his sons tried to continue the business. Alas, they failed to support the father's initiative, but only for the reason that one of the children was sent into exile, and the second was executed. Despite all the obstacles, the photo studio continued its work even during the brutal years of the blockade.

What is the famous building on Nevsky, 54

The building in which the photo studio is successfully functioning. Bulla, also became famous as the house of the Demidovs. Its history began in the 40s of the XVIII century. Then, on this very piece of land, a building designed by the architect Trezzini was built. Approximately 10 years later, it was bought out and remade for the famous statesman I. I. Shuvalov. As a result, a real palace complex "grew up" around the building.

In 1825, the right to own the building passed to an industrialist, a representative of a glorious and noble family. After 16 years, the building was expanded by the architect Pel, after which the house began to bear the name "Demidov Hotel". By the way, it was here in 1843 famous writer Ivan Turgenev met his fatal passion Pauline Viardot.

In the early 80s of the XIX century. The building on Nevsky Prospekt underwent a large-scale restructuring, the project of which was created by the architect Suzor. It was after this that a not particularly remarkable house of 3 floors was transformed into a four-story eclectic building, known to this day.

The revival of the photo salon and the beginning of the museum

In the 90s. of the last century, Dr. V. Elbek, on the advice of his son, decided to become the owner of a photo salon on Nevsky, 54. No sooner said than done! Elbek, however, recalls that he got the house in a terrible state and looked more like a chicken coop with leaking roofs, in which, in addition, stairs collapsed. It was impossible to breathe in the rooms where the photos were developed. The whole situation was so miserable and "killed" that Elbek, according to his confession, could not even dream of opening a good photo salon here or holding vernissages.

The photo salon existed in this form for several more years, remaining profitable business. In the late 90s, Elbek studied the history of the building in detail, learned all the details of the life and work of the photographer Karl Bulla, and set about creating his museum. However, for this it was necessary to carry out the restoration of the salon.

Preparing for the opening of the museum, Elbek began to buy original photographs of K. Bulla and his heirs, as well as photographs of other masters who worked in Russia before the revolution.

Elbek raised funds for a large-scale reconstruction by 2002 and immediately launched the process. During the restoration work, one of the main elements of the photo salon was recreated - the glass ceiling of the photo workshop. In January 2004, Karl Bulla's photo studio was ready to welcome the first visitors in a solemn atmosphere.

Sphere of interests of the master

Thanks to the works of K. Bulla, today we have the opportunity to contemplate various photographs of past centuries. For example, Karl Bulla often photographed the interiors of the mansions of tsars and princes, the architecture of temples that were seriously damaged during the Soviet era, as well as the life of people of the past from different walks of life: from the aristocracy and scientists to ordinary cabbies and hard workers. His photographs allow us to imagine the atmosphere in which certain events took place in St. Petersburg, how the houses and signs of the ancient city looked like. Contemporaries can "visit" the legendary Leo Tolstoy and other people from the world of creativity for several hours.

The maestro's camera "caught" and captured life in all its aspects and directions. He did not seek to show only weekdays or only holidays. It is not surprising that today his work is highly valued by experts from the most different areas: restorers, historians and even filmmakers.

First impressions when visiting the museum

The Karl Bulla Museum is located at 54 Nevsky Prospekt. This is a quiet and pleasant corner on the 4th floor, which still retains the spirit of the aristocracy of old St. Petersburg. On the way up, you can look with interest at the photographs of various contemporary celebrities that adorn the walls here.

At the beginning of the photo salon itself there is a vestibule in which a self-portrait hangs. famous master— Carla Bulla. He is pictured with a portable camera around his neck, which allowed him to take great pictures on ordinary streets. By the way, at that time Bulla's technique was considered extremely "fancy". When you get directly into the museum, which continues with the Carl Bulla exhibition gallery, don't forget also the terrace with the famous platform, which offers a stunning view of the city.

Photo copies of the museum

The museum is spread over only a few square meters, but in such a compact space, the unique atmosphere of the past years is recreated. In particular, there is a piano decorated with candlesticks, and antique clocks with a pendulum hang on the walls. Some frames are originals from the beginning of the last century, other pictures are printed today from old negatives. Among other photographs, it is worth highlighting a large number of photographic portraits of Chaliapin.

Here you can see the unique pavilion chamber of Bulla. Even after many years, it is still workable, so sometimes it is used to create a photo in retro style. Nearby there is a corner with three photo portraits, decorated with greenery. The pictures show Karl Bulla himself and his sons.

photo studio

The room is a well-lit long gallery. Its main part is occupied by non-permanent expositions, because in the salon with a regular frequency there are vernissages made up of creations contemporary masters Photo. K. Bulla's photo workshop is located in a room where the atmosphere of a tropical greenhouse reigns. From above, the building is decorated with a glass dome, which can be easily seen from the street. It is said that Bulla greatly appreciated this particular dome, because thanks to it he could work in his workshop without artificial light.

We add that the dome, which is placed in the photo salon today, is not authentic. In 2002-2003, it was restored and restored as a result of a long and painstaking work.

Balcony terrace

This place is especially popular in a building on Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg. Here you will not see old paintings or photographs, but from here you can see modern Petersburg in the palm of your hand, which is valuable both for tourists and for many local residents. This panoramic terrace is a Mecca for many photographers and ordinary landscape lovers who come here and admire all the beauties of the city from a bird's eye view.

On the terrace there is a small open balcony, decorated with flowers in tubs. The area of ​​the site itself - no more than 1 square meter. From here you can see many sights historic city, and in the distance you can see the domes of cathedrals.

Exhibitions

The photo studio of Karl Bulla on Nevsky Prospekt regularly hosts exhibitions of various thematic areas. Expositions change very often, at least twice a month. It is worth saying a few words about the most famous and relevant events.

Photo contest them. K. Bulla "Era visible features"

This photo contest was "born" in 2007. The international level event takes place every two years in various categories - from sports to nature and landscapes of the city.

Every photo lover will be able to find a theme to their liking and take part in the exhibition (subject to the appropriate quality of work). Participants of the competition are not only Russian, but also foreign masters of the frame.

"Karl Bulla: a look at the world of Tolstoy"

This event is not organized in the photo salon itself. Bulls, but with his direct participation. It will last until the end of May in Moscow. Its exhibits appeared back in 1908, in the summer. It was then that Karl Bulla arrived in Yasnaya Polyana, the residence of the great writer Leo Tolstoy. Bulla had a task from several editions of St. Petersburg at once - to take a series of photographs of Tolstoy.

The great master coped with the task by 100 percent. As a result, about a hundred photos appeared. Many of them are known to the general public, but until recently, only experts in the field of literature and photography were familiar with some. As a result, the Moscow Museum of Tolstoy decided to correct this omission and organized an exhibition of photographs of Karl Bulla.

As part of the exposition, visitors to the photo salon can see authentic images of Leo Tolstoy, his relatives and friends, as well as a whole scattering of celebrities from the beginning of the 20th century. Perhaps the main rarity was delivered to the capital for the exhibition - K. Bulla's pavilion camera, as well as some unique items from personal archive and printed editions of past years with the works of the maestro.

Exhibition of pre-revolutionary erotic photography

There is a separate corner in the Karl Bulla Museum, marked with a sign "18+". To get to it, you need to climb the most top floor where there is a cozy and small room. It has an exposition of pre-revolutionary erotic photography.

As part of this unusual exhibition, visitors can see erotic retrospectives and scenes from the private collection of the current owners of the photo studio. It is worth noting that not all of the scenes shown are innocent.

Despite the fact that the author of these photos is not Karl Bulla, they are very interesting to study. By the way, according to historians, the master himself and his sons were also engaged in erotic filming, photographing naked athletes and athletes with pumped up bodies.

Another plus of this room on Nevsky Prospekt is a gorgeous view from the window. Just for him, it's worth stopping by for at least a couple of minutes.

Museum location and opening hours

The photo studio and museum of Karl Bulla is located in St. Petersburg at the address: Nevsky Prospekt, 54 (landmark - Gostiny Dvor metro station). The institution also has its own official website, which has all the necessary information for those who wish to visit it. True, often there are problems with access to it.

The salon is ready to receive its clients every day from 10 am to 20 pm (Sunday and Monday are days off in the photo salon). Visitors are very flattering about the museum. They note that there is something to see even for those who are not fond of photography. In the museum you can just relax, enjoy the masterpieces of art. Photographers can get new ideas for themselves.

Cost of visit and services

You can get into the museum and photo studio of Karl Bulla for quite reasonable money. Entrance fee - 50 rubles, for students and pensioners (subject to availability of relevant documents) - 25 rubles. Inside you can conduct amateur photography - it will cost 100 rubles. Professional photography costs several times more - 1000 rubles.

Also in the museum you can buy bright postcards with photographs of Bulla himself (one by one - 12 rubles, there are sets of 200 and 250 rubles). There is also an atelier where you can rent 19th-century outfits for photo shoots. Renting a dress or suit "antique" will cost about 200 rubles. For the work of a professional photographer, you will have to pay 3 thousand rubles (per hour, does not depend on the number of participants).

Today we want to talk about one of the little-known chamber museums in St. Petersburg. Carla Bulla located in the very center of the city. However, not everyone knows that this representative building, crowded with numerous shops and institutions, has an interesting museum-gallery, as well as a unique terrace where you can view from above on Nevsky Prospekt!

Review of the memorial photo salon named after Karl Bulla on Nevsky, 54

Historical Photography Foundation named afterCarla Bulla located on the corner of Nevsky Prospekt and Malaya Sadovaya Street, a stone's throw from Gostiny Dvor, right next to the famous Eliseevsky. In short, you can't imagine a more central place.

To find yourself in a quiet, pleasant corner with the aristocratic atmosphere of old St. Petersburg, it is enough to go through the door with the sign “Photosalon” and, leaving the noisy Nevsky Prospekt behind you, overcome the pedestrian climb to the fourth floor.

The way up is brightened up by photographs of various celebrities of our time hung on the walls.

Finally, we are at the target. To the left is a door with a sign "Photoshop".

First, there will be a small lobby with a new, antique-styled finish and a mass of flowers, which also seem to be specially selected in the spirit of Belle Epoque.

All sorts of ferns, ficuses, palm trees and other green spaces abound throughout the cabin, which is why you tune in to a blissful, almost resort mood. The glass roof only adds to the greenhouse flavor.

One more small staircase - and we find ourselves in the actual memorial corner ( museum), continuing with an exhibition gallery and a terrace with an observation deck, where we will go a little later (sweet for dessert).

In the memorial corner, which occupies only a few square meters, the atmosphere of antiquity is recreated: there is a piano with candlesticks (periodically in the salon sounds live music), on the walls - a clock with a pendulum and numerous photographs taken in this and other salons.

Some of the photographs are authentic photographs from the early 20th century.

Others were printed already in our time from old negatives.

Among others, numerous photographic portraits of Chaliapin, alone or surrounded by friends and relatives, stand out.

Sometimes in the lower right corner of the brownish photographs you can see the signature monogram of Karl Bulla.

Here we see a unique pavilion Bulla era camera, which is still in working order and sometimes used to create retro photographs in the style of the master.

In the neighborhood there is a nook surrounded by greenery with three photographic portraits depicting the photographer himself and his two sons (the elder Alexander and the younger Victor). Details about the biography of Karl Bulla and the fate of his sons .

Another old camera of that time is also shown here. These two outlandish cameras the size of a good hurdy-gurdy are a matter of special pride for the creators of the museum.

It's no secret that Petersburg Germans left a huge mark in the pre-revolutionary history of the city on the Neva. Natives of Germany were among the outstanding architects, sculptors, engineers, teachers, military leaders, bankers and patrons of the arts. Actually, until 1917, the Germans made up the largest percentage of the St. Petersburg population after the Russians. And Carla Bullu can rightly be attributed to this remarkable layer. By the way, he was far from the only migrant from German lands who successfully worked in the genre of photography in the capital Petersburg (read more in the article).

Life in all its manifestations fell into the lens of his camera: ceremonial and everyday. Bulla became a real chronicler of an era - a lost era. It is not surprising that now his photographs are the most valuable material for historians, restorers, artists, filmmakers.

The main part of the light extended gallery of the photo salon is reserved for temporary exhibitions: the salon regularly hosts exhibitions of works by contemporary photo artists and photojournalists. In particular, the most interesting Karl Bulla International Photo Contest “Era of Visible Features” is held every two years, the purpose of which is to create a “historical photo chronicle of Russia”. The last such competition started in May 2015. Final exposure the best works according to the results of the competition will be opened here, on Nevsky, 54, in November 2015.

The doors on the right lead to the operating photo studio, located in an unusually bright room with the atmosphere of a tropical greenhouse. This is the historical photography workshop of Karl Bulla. towering over the building glass dome clearly visible even from below, from Nevsky Prospekt. Bulla greatly appreciated this ceiling light, as it allowed the photographer to work with natural light.

The current dome is not authentic. It was recreated during the painstaking restoration of the photo studio in 2002-2003.

The modern photo salon continues to provide various services for professional artistic photography and restoration of old photographs. In particular, here you can shoot in costumes made in the fashion of the 19th century, as well as order the restoration and printing of old photographs.

Let's return now to the main exhibition gallery. Through the glass doors at the far end you can get to balcony-terrace overlooking Nevsky Prospekt.

For this panoramic terrace this is where most photographers and just lovers of urban landscapes come to admire the center of St. Petersburg from a bird's eye view.

The terrace is a small open balcony with a metal ladder and indispensable flower tubs.

Having overcome three thin perches-steps, you find yourself at the very top - a small, less than one square meter, platform with excellent panoramic view to the crossroads of Nevsky and Sadovaya: Gostiny Dvor, City Duma building, Alexandrinsky Theatre, Russian National Library- everything is in the palm of your hand. In the distance you can see the domes of Kazan and St. Isaac's Cathedral.

Enjoying the view is somewhat hampered by a sense of uncertainty: it is difficult to relax, standing at such a decent height, especially under the onslaught of the wind, even if it is completely safe. But the more fearless visitors literally go further: they climb over the fence and illegally go down this very ladder to continue the adventure. Rooftop walks are a favorite Petersburg entertainment. And what not to do for the sake of good pictures!

Before leaving the museum, you should also take a look at the small exposition organized on the landing.

Of particular interest are two five-meter panoramas of Nevsky prospect: before us is an old one, taken by an unknown photographer in 1861 at a long exposure of 5 minutes (because of which there is not a soul on the streets, only a lone horse), and a modern circular panorama, taken in 1998 by photojournalist Sergey Kompaniychenko. Both panoramas were taken from the same point: from the balcony at the base of the spire of the Admiralty Tower.

The same principle of comparison formed the basis of the recent exhibition "Petersburg a century later." At this exhibition, historical photographs of St. Petersburg, taken by Karl Bulla, side by side with contemporary photographs taken by Kompaniychenko from the same points. This panorama was also shown at the exhibition. (I thought: if the panoramas were filmed today, there would probably be even more cars on the streets).

Under the panoramas there is a collection vintage photos made on turn of XIX-XX century in different cities Russia.

Of course, there are also photographs taken in a St. Petersburg photo studio, and a wide variety of them (Karl Bulla's studio was far from the only one: photo salons were then found almost on every corner, at least in the city center).

From here, one more small staircase leads to the upper floor, where a sign with a warning sign "18+" indicates.

In a cozy room under the roof, a permanent exhibition of pre-revolutionary erotic pictures.

Erotic retro-portraits and scenes (innocent and not so) from the private collection of the current owner of the photo salon are shown here.

It is worth looking into this room just for the sake of a beautiful view from the windows.

The view opens from two windows: on the one hand, the roof of Eliseevsky is visible, on the other - the Alexandrinsky Theater, the Russian National Library, Gostiny Dvor and the St. Petersburg roofs stretching into infinity.

The history of the photo salon on Nevsky Prospekt, 54

The photo studio in the Demidovs' house on Nevsky, 54 is one of the most respectable in St. Petersburg. Moreover, this the oldest photo studio in Russia. It has been leading its history since the mid-1850s, that is, almost from the moment the first photographs appeared in our country.

The first owner of the photo studio was Karl Ludwigovich Kulish, who started as a daguerreotypist on Gorokhovaya Street. In what year he opened the studio on Nevsky, it is not known exactly, but, apparently, it was before 1858 (before renumbering; then this house was listed under No. 55, not 54). In 1866, the atelier was purchased by the eminent St. Petersburg photographer - Italian Ivan (Giovanni) Bianchi. Unlike Kulish, Bianchi did not limit himself to pavilion portrait photography: he was almost the first photographer in St. Petersburg who began to go out into the street and shoot views of the city, working in the genre of photo reportage.

In 1872, the photo studio became the property of the merchant of the second guild, Rudolf Fedorovich Beyer, and later the salon was inherited by his son Johann. In the 1880s, Grigory Alexandrovich Borel became the owner. The location of the studio was the most advantageous: almost in the very center of Nevsky, next to the Alexandrinsky Theater and the Public Library, at a busy shopping intersection, near Gostiny Dvor and the Passage. No wonder it was so popular. View of the house in 1872-1882:

In 1882-1883 the building was rebuilt for the merchant A. M. Ushakov according to the project of the famous architect P. Yu. Syuzor. In the new building, along with many other establishments, a photographic studio was opened. This time, Ivan Pavlovich Chesnokov became the owner (the company was called Borel after the former owner). View of the house after reconstruction:

Finally, around 1906-1908 ( exact date unknown) photo studio on Nevsky, 54 acquired Karl Karlovich Bulla- the most famous St. Petersburg photographer, who was then at the zenith of fame. The master's family also settled in the same building. And the Borel company moved to the neighboring house No. 56, where it existed until the construction of Eliseevsky (1903). House on Nevsky, 54 in the photo of Karl Bulla himself:

After the revolution, the photo salon continued to work, but already as public institution. Karl Karlovich emigrated in 1917. The business was continued by his sons, but their fate was tragic. The eldest son Alexander Bulla was sent into exile in 1928, and the youngest, Viktor Bulla, was shot in 1938 on a false denunciation. The dynasty of photographers was forgotten for decades. However, the studio continued to work and did not close even during the years of the blockade. In the post-war period, "Photo No. 1" became the center of portrait and family photography. Residents of Leningrad lined up to take a memorable photo in the family album, took portrait photos and passport pictures with pleasure.

As you can see, photography on Nevsky, 54 has been working for more than 150 years.

Details about the life and work of Karl Bulla and his sons can be read in a separate note.

About the Demidov House (Nevsky, 54)

The building that houses the historic photography studio is known as Demidov's house.

The first known house on this site was built in the 1740s by the architect Pietro Antonio Trezzini. In the 1750s, it was bought out and rebuilt (presumably according to the project of S. I. Chevakinsky) for a statesman Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov. A whole palace complex arose around the building, occupying the entire block to Italianskaya Street.

In the 1770s-1790s, diplomat Count A. A. Bezborodko, mathematician D. Bernoulli, publisher I. F. Bogdanovich, Princess E. R. Dashkova, poets and statesmen G. R. Derzhavin and I. I. Dmitriev. Empress Catherine II paid visits.

In 1825, the house was purchased by a representative of the famous family of breeders Demidov- industrialist N. N. Demidov(he himself, however, had lived in Florence since 1815). In 1841, the building was expanded by the architect A. Kh. Pel. Here lived the son of Nikolai Nikitich P. N. Demidov- founder of the Demidov Prize of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, Colonel K. K. Danzas- Lyceum comrade and second of A. S. Pushkin. The house contained the furnished rooms of Madame O. Chatillon, and it was called the Demidov Hotel. In 1843, the writer I. S. Turgenev met the singer P. Viardo-Garcia at the hotel.

From 1878 until the revolution, the house was owned by a merchant of the 1st guild A. M. Ushakov. In 1882-1883 the building was rebuilt according to the project of the famous architect P. Yu. Syuzora(among his creations is the Singer House, also known as the Book House, on Nevsky Prospekt).

Instead of a modest three-story house, the now familiar four-story building appeared in the forms of mature eclecticism: with rich stucco on the facade, two-story bay windows with arched pediments and an effectively rounded corner under a small dome.

Profitable house of A. M. Ushakov in different times hosted many well-known establishments: book store and the library of A. A. Cherkesov (on the basis of which the Central City Library named after V. V. Mayakovsky will later be created), the music publishing house of V. Bessel, and a hairdresser's. In the first third of the 20th century, the house worked atelier of photographer K. K. Bulla and his sons.

During blockade of Leningrad and in the post-war period on Nevsky, 54 continued to operate photo studio, as well as salon.

In 2002, a commemorative plaque was installed on the wall of the corridor at the entrance to the hairdresser's: " This barbershop worked throughout the blockade. During these years, the work of hairdressers proved: beauty will save the world". (The barber shop existed until 2006).

Another memorial plaque can be seen on the facade of the house.

It says that on this corner during the days of the heroic defense of Leningrad in 1941-1944 there were loudspeakers where residents of the besieged city came to listen to reports about events at the front.

Reconstruction of the photo studio and opening of the Karl Bulla Museum

In the 1990s, a St. Petersburg doctor Valentin Evgenievich Elbek decided to buy a photo studio on Nevsky, 54. This idea was suggested to him by his son. However, by that time, the photo studio, according to Elbek himself, was more “ looked like a chicken coop, kept in a terrible state, with leaking roofs, crumbling stairs. It was impossible to breathe in the rooms where the photographs were developed and printed. Everything was in such desolation that it was hard to even imagine that someday it would be possible to make a good photo studio here, to create a museum named after Karl Bulla» .

For several years, the photo salon existed in such a neglected form, and remained a profitable enterprise. By the end of the 1990s, the new owner, having studied the history of this place in more detail and learned more about the fate of the famous dynasty of photographers, became convinced of the need to restore the salon and create a memorial place. Gradually began the acquisition of genuine photographs Carla Bulla and his sons, as well as photographs of other masters of pre-revolutionary Russia, filmed in St. Petersburg and throughout Russia.

In 2002, at the expense of V. E. Elbek, a photo salon was held large-scale reconstruction, which made it possible to preserve a memorial building for the city photo studio Bulla. The historic glass ceiling of the photo workshop was recreated. Although the reconstruction could not be completed, as planned, by the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, the solemn opening of a photo studio Carla Bulla took place in January 2004.

Currently, a small museum with an exhibition gallery and the Karl Bulla Foundation for Historical Photography, registered in 2005 and aiming to study and popularize Russian photography of the 19th - first half of the 20th century, operate in the premises of the reconstructed photo salon. In the historical pavilions there is a modern photo studio.

Visiting the Karl Bulla Museum in St. Petersburg: address, opening hours, ticket price

Carl Bulla Photo Studio (Historical Photography Foundation and Cala Bulla Museum) located at Nevsky prospect, 54, near the metro station "Gostiny Dvor".

Opening hours of the museum and gallery: from 10:00 to 20:00, daily (at the photo salon Sunday and Monday are days off).

The entrance ticket costs 50 rubles (students and pensioners - 25 rubles). Amateur photography of the museum and panorama of Nevsky Prospekt - 100 rubles, professional photography - 1000 rubles.

Official website of the Karl Bulla Foundation: bullafond.ru

If you will be on Nevsky, 54, be sure to look into this salon. It is worth coming here both for the sake of the stunning view from the observation deck, and for getting to know memorial museum, which, despite its modest size, will make you admire the talent and performance famous photographer and his sons and become interested in their life and work.

Want to see St. Petersburg a little down?
There is such an opportunity if you visit the observation decks of the city.
For myself, I chose five, which I will tell you about.
This post has a minimum of words. More and more pictures, addresses and links.

Colonnade of St. Isaac's Cathedral

From 10:30 to 18:00 from May 1 to October 31 daily
From November 1 to April 30, a day off - the first and third Wednesday of the month

Colonnade during the White Nights
From 18:00 to 4:30
(valid from June 1 to August 20, on Wednesdays - from 10:30 to 22:30)

The ticket price as of July 2014 is 150 rubles.
UPD - in the evening and at night - 300 rubles.

Metro "Gostiny Dvor" or "Nevsky Prospekt".

Belfry of the Smolny Cathedral- the highest museum observation deck in the city.

Located at an altitude of 50 meters, get ready to overcome 277 steps.

Opening hours - from 10:30 to 18:00.
Day off - Wednesday.

The work of the box office and the admission of visitors stops 30 minutes before the closing of the museum facilities.

The ticket price as of July 2014 is 100 rubles.

Carl Bulla Photo Studio

The photo studio on Nevsky 54 has existed since the 1850s. It did not stop working even during the Great Patriotic War and the Siege of Leningrad. In 2002, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out in the photo salon, which preserved the memorial room of the Karl Bulla photo salon. The Karl Bulla Foundation for Historical Photography operates on the premises, which studies and popularizes Russian photography of the 19th - the first half of the 20th century, a museum operates, and expositions are held.

Address: St. Petersburg, Nevsky prospect, 54.
Opening hours: daily from 10-00 to 20-00, seven days a week.
Metro "Nevsky Prospect" or "Gostiny Dvor".

In addition to old photographs, the salon is also interesting for the presence of an observation deck.

View of the Gostiny Dvor, with a terribly bright sun.

And back inside, away from the sun.

Nastasya and the "father of Russian photography" - Karl Bulla.

Next point - AZIMUT Sky Bar & Lounge on the 18th floor AZIMUT Hotel St. Petersburg.

Address - Lermontovsky prospect, 43/1, metro station "Baltiyskaya".

Loft Project Floors

Since 2007, the center has occupied the area of ​​the former bakery at 74 Ligovsky Prospekt.
There are galleries on site. contemporary art, exhibition spaces, Green Room Coffee House, open roof and Location Hostel.

Metro "Dostoevskaya" or "Vladimirskaya" (the nearest one is "Ligovsky Prospekt", but as of the beginning of July 2014 the station was closed for repairs).

The price of a ticket to the roof is 250 rubles. From 09.00 to 11.00 - free of charge.

Ticket inscription:
"I am familiar with the rules of comfortable rest and safety instructions for being on the roof of the Loft Project ETAGI, I agree, I undertake to comply. I understand that being on the roof is dangerous. I go out on the roof at my own peril and risk"...

Coffee house "Green room".

June 5th, 2015 , 02:11 am

If you turn from Nevsky Prospekt to Malaya Sadovaya Street, you can see a monument to the St. Petersburg photographer. It was installed in 2001 and is a 2.5 meter bronze figure of a photographer who is preparing to shoot. Photographed by sign - taking the photographer under right hand. For financial well-being with the photographer "put up" for the little finger.

This sculpture appeared in this place not by chance. Right here, atNevsky avenue 54 , from the beginning of the twentieth century until the 1930s, there was a photo studio of the famous dynasty of photo artists bulla . Their works immortalized famous politicians, scientists and artists, the most important eventsRussian history , masterpiecesPetersburg architecture .

Photo studio named after Karl Bulla operating. But this is not just a photo studio, this is a museum, a fund of historical photography. We go up the stairs to the fourth floor.

The photographic studio on the site of the current Foundation was established in the 1850s, the exact date is unknown, it is only established that this was before 1858 (according to the information on the back of the preserved photograph). Its first owner is Karl Ludwigovich Kulish. Initially, the photo studio had a long name - Photo Kulish in St. Petersburg on Nevsky Prospekt opposite the Alexandrinsky Theater in Demidov's house No. 55. Demidov is the owner of the whole house, a merchant, and No. 55 - because it was before the renumbering of houses 1858 . Only a few small format photographs of this master have survived. AT 1866 the owner changed - the studio was acquired by the Italian photographer Ivan (Giovanni) Bianchi. He is among the first to photograph the city, works in the genre of photo reportage. Subsequently, starting from 1872 , the photo studio changed owners several times. In 1882-1883, the building in which the studio was located was rebuilt according to the project Pavel Syuzor . Approximately at 1906 — 1908 (exact date unknown) becomes the owner of the photo studioKarl Karlovich Bulla , he was assisted by his sons Victor and Alexander.

Now there is peace and grace, a pleasant atmosphere of the art of photography, intertwined with history and modernity at the same time. The Carl Bulla Museum Photo Studio is furnished with stylized furniture, flowers and trees. The main decoration is the work of Karl Bulla, in addition, no less interesting temporary exhibitions are held here from time to time.

From the salon you can go to the observation deck, which offers a view of Nevsky Prospekt.

Below Gostiny Dvor.

And Garden Street. By the way, please note that trams no longer run here, but the rails and the contact network have been preserved. There is a reason for this, which I will talk about a little later.

The Russian National Library is a unique place. Its richest collections of books, newspapers and magazines put it in second place in the world.

View of the Catherine's garden.

And drama theatre.

Petersburg roofs.

But let's go back to the museum.

During the reconstruction, the glass dome of the room was restored. The fourth floor offers a stunning view of the city, against which visitors love to take pictures.

Karl Karlovich Bulla was born into a German family in the Prussian town of Leobshütz, but he worked almost exclusively in St. Petersburg. In 1875, he opened his own photo studio, which at the beginning of the 20th century was located in the building of the Passage on Nevsky.
Back in 1886, he received from the Ministry of Internal Affairs "permission for the right to produce all kinds of photographic work outside the home, such as: on the streets, apartments and in places in the immediate vicinity of St. standard of the Universal Postal Union.
Since 1897, photographs of Karl Bulla began to be published in the mass and popular magazine Niva. Since that time, his name has become known throughout the Russian Empire.
After 1916, Karl Bulla handed over his photographic business to his sons, Alexander and Viktor, and he himself settled on the island of Ezel. He died there in 1929.

Severe social upheavals did not bypass the famous dynasty: in 1928, Alexander Bulla was arrested and sent into exile, and in 1938, as a German spy, on the denunciation of his “colleague” in the photo studio, Viktor Bulla was sentenced to death.

Employees of the NKVD confiscated the result of their creative work from the Bulla family - the negatives accumulated over decades of painstaking work. Some of the negatives were savagely destroyed during the search, the remaining negatives were confiscated and this moment form the basis of the collection State Fund film and photo documents (more than 130,000 items!).

More detailed information You can read about the salon on its official website: http://www.bullafond.ru/12.html.

In 2002, on the initiative and at the expense of the new owner of the premises, Valentin Evgenievich Elbek, on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out in the photo salon, which made it possible to preserve the memorial premises of the Karl Bulla photo salon for the city. A full-scale restoration of the shooting pavilions, in which Karl Bulla and his sons worked, was carried out.

If you happen to be on Nevsky 54, be sure to look here. The entrance to the museum is paid, but it is worth visiting even for the amazing view from the observation deck to the center of St. Petersburg.