Dome

View of Twelve Colleges on the west end of the complex, showing east elevation; Thomon also laid out the surrounding area [streets and building blocks] at the tip (strel’ka) of the Vasily [Vasilevskiy Island] with granite quays and ramps, siting a pair of rostral columns there to serve as lighthouses. Opposite the exchange building on the Neva, de Thomon designed a semicircular overlook with circular ramps descending to a jetty projecting into the river. This formal approach, is framed by the two rostral columns centered on the portico of the Stock Exchange. Many of the scheme’s elements, including the columns, may be found in contemporary French academic projects, but Thomon’s composition is memorably impressive and forms one of the most characteristic features of St Petersburg’s inner townscape. Strel’ka is variously translated as "spit" or "little arrow." Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 6/16/2009)