I decided to visit one of the oldest department stores in our city this time. But instead of strolling through the shopping gallery, I turned to the courtyard to visit the new site for shopping, festivals, and recreation.
Department store facade from the Sadovaya Street side
Great Gostiny Dvor occupies a large space on the right side of Nevsky Prospekt. This department store was built in the late 18th century and immediately became the most popular store in our city. The territory occupied by the department store, was constantly growing. By the end of the XIX century total length of the main facades overlooking the central city streets - Nevsky Prospekt and Sadovaya Street - was more than a kilometer, and in the back, behind the main facades of the department store, were hidden ten internal streets, where small stores were concentrated and trade with customers flourished.
Entrance to the courtyard from the side of Sadovaya Street
During the reconstruction of the department store in the 20th century, the interior space was reorganized and many old structures were demolished. After that, the courtyard of the Great Gostiny Dvor was closed to citizens: the department store continued to operate, but all trade was concentrated in the main galleries. This has only recently begun to change, but the concept of using the courtyard space is still in development. But a poster has already appeared above the arch, inviting people to enter the courtyard.
It seems that I was a little late with my visit to this place (or, on the contrary, I was a little rushed) and got in the off-season: the New Year's fair had already stopped its work, and the spring souvenir range had not yet been brought in. Therefore, numerous stalls were closed, and even the food court did not work.
I walked a little farther, and found that of all the winter activities now available only the ice rink. You can bring your own skates, or rent skates, and do a few laps on the ice surface. The little red pavilion is the house of Santa Claus.
Next to the ice rink is a beautiful merry-go-round, but it didn't work either.
Colorful lions guard the entrance to the International Academy of Music named after Elena Obraztsova.
I walked around the yard to get a general idea of the space. I often caught my eye the details: the colorful flags, the snowmen and lanterns hiding in the snow.
I especially liked the restaurant corner, decorated with grandmother's chandeliers and big blue balloons. In the corner there was a decorated Christmas tree. But that cafe was also closed.
The rest of the courtyard looks like an ordinary courtyard of a big department store. Some of the buildings are being renovated, and maybe in a few years this whole space will be transformed.
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| Smartphone | Google Pixel 3a |
| Location | Saint Petersburg, Russia |
This is my entry for the #marketfriday challenge by 