Universitetskaya (University) Embankment, 3
1718-34. Architects M.Zemtsov, G.Mattarnovi, N.Herbel, G.Chiaveri
Rebuilt in 1754-58, architect S.Chevakinsky

The  building was designed for the library and the 
oldest Russian |museum|Custom1|W:180| founded by Peter 1 in 
1714 end based on his private collections 
brought back from his European travels. 
Originally the |museum|Custom1|W:180| had been housed in 
|Kikin's Chambers|Custom1|O:64|; later the |Kunstkammer|Custom1|W:180| moved 
into a building especially designed to house it. 
the story of the construction was rather 
complicated. It involved many outstanding 
architects of the 18th century. The building 
consists of two three-story wings designed in 
Baroque and joined into a single whole by the 
central volume that is topped with a multi-tier 
tower. After the fire of 1747 the building was 
restored by the architect Chevakinsky, who 
introduced some changes into the exterior. To 
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 
|Academy of Sciences|Custom1|O:81| the |Kunstkammer's|Custom1|W:180| 
interiors were decorated with sculptural 
allegorical groups, busts and medallions 
representing prominent scientists (of those, two