Krestovsky Island

Krestovsky Island (Russian: Крестовский остров) is a 3.4 km² island in Saint Petersburg, Russia, situated between several distrubutaries of the Neva: the Srednyaya Nevka, the Malaya Nevka and the Krestovka. The island is served by the Krestovsky Ostrov station of Saint Petersburg Metro. The Western part of the island is occupied by the Maritime Victory Park. A new stadium is currently under construction in the west of the island, where [Kirov Stadium; ] was previously located (it was also here, where the international "Goodwill Games" took place in the early 1990s). The Eastern part of the island has been heavily built up since the late 1990s.

In the 19th - early 20th century the island belonged to the Belosselsky-Belozersky family. Alexander Mikhailovich Belosselsky-Belozersky acquired the Island, aided by the infusion of wealth from the fortune of his second wife Anna Grigorievna (ne'e Kozitskaya). In the 1880s after having sold their famous palace on the Nevsky Prospect to Sergei Alexandrovich Romanov (at the Anichkov bridge, the pink palace at No. 41) the Belosselsky-Belozersky family moved to live on the island, in a beautiful house they rebuilt (designed by architect Rastrelli) at the Southern side of the Island.

Street names on Krestovsky island still today reflect the Belosselsky-Belozersky family having occupied the Krestovsky island; "Olgina", "Esperova", "Konstantinova" streets reflect the names of the family members (Olga's street, Esper's street, Konstantin's street). The main North to South street leading to the Belosselsky-Belozersky house was named "Belosselsky Prospect" (the Belosselsky avenue/view), today, however, after the Revolution of 1917, the street name was changed to "Riukhina" street (runs South to the edge of Malaya Nevka from the new Metro station on the island).

On Krestovsky island, many "firsts" sports venues were launched by Belosselsky-Belozersky active support. The first Russian tennis club and horse polo clubs were introduced, as well as a yaught club; all prior to 1917. (Interestingly, during the Soviet times,as well, the Island was the base of one of the most successful sport and rowing clubs, which produced several Olympic winners in rowing). The island was always a center for sports and recreation for the St. Petersburg residents. It was also a gathering place for military officers and foreign diplomats, who participated in the horse polo events organized by the Belosselsky-Belozerskys. As this sport was known to be a preferred sport of Englishmen at the time, the elder Belosselsky-Belozersky, Konstantin became known as the "Angloman" for his interest in promoting this sport!

Two of the last Belosselsky-Belozersky Princes to recide on the island (the sons of Konstantin), Sergei Konstantinovich, and Esper Konstantinovich Belosselsky-Belozersky were successful sportsmen and promoters of equestrian and sailing sports. Sergei Konstantinovich was the second representative from Russia on the International Olympic Committee and worked closely with de Coubertin (who launched the modern Olympic movement). Sergei was part of the Organizing committe of the Paris Olympics of 1900 and took part in the equestrian competions. The younger brother of Sergei Konstantinovich, Esper Konstantinovich was an avid sailor who won a Bronze medal for Russia in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics (in the 10 meter class).

Today, the Belosselsky-Belozersky residence has been reconstructed at the same location where it stood until the late 1950s*. (The original structure was badly damaged during the near 900 day siege of Leningrad, from shelling by the enemy during WW II. It was repaired and used for various purposes, but was demolished finally around 1956). The only structures which remain today of the Belosselsky-Belozersky period to these years are stables and a beautiful landscaped park with a small pond and walkways around it adjacent on the Western side of the location where the Belosselsky-Belozersky house stood. There is also an "accent" piece of the estate remaining by the edge of the water, of the Malaya Nevka. A rose coloured granite structure , holding a bench and circular steps leading to the water's edge, forming a landing for boats and offering a calm venue to view the Southern exposure from the estate. The structure was draped with a beautiful wrought iron balustrade (original design of this beautiful structureby a Swiss architect).

Belosselsky -Belozersky family was forced to flee St. Petersburg/Petrograd during the 1917 revolution and established themselves in Finland, France and the USA.

There is a a new structure rebuilt on the spot of the Belosselsky-Belozersky house on Krestovsky island (in early 2008), said to be true to the original design and drawings. This restructured building is said to be a "boutique hotel" of some 20 rooms (to be confirmed).

External links

• Krestovsky Island @ Encyclopaedia of Saint Petersburg