Saint Petersburg City Duma

Emperor Paul replaced it by the so-called Ratusha, but his son, Alexander I, had the Duma restored four years later.

A spacious central hall of the City Duma was frequently let to host high-profile social events.

The structure is located at the corner of the avenue and Dumskaya Street, opposite the Merchant Court and Grand Hotel Europe.

Its distinctive tower, formerly used for fire observation, can still be seen the whole length of Nevsky Prospekt after the crossing with Fontanka River.

During the Soviet years, the Smolny Institute effectively functioned as the Saint Petersburg City Hall.