Public Library

Founded by Catherine the Great as the Imperial Public Library and National Book Depository (1795). A complex of buildings was built (late 18th and 19th century). Main wing on Nevsky Prospekt and Sadovaya Street was designed by Yegor Sokolov (1796–1801). Carlo Rossi and Apollon Schedrin built a second wing looking onto the square in front of the Alexandrinsky Theatre (1828–34). Sculptors Vasily Demut-Malinovsky and Stepan Pimenov contributed to the decor.