Old Head of Kinsale Cape

Old Saint Petersburg Stock Exchange (the Bourse) is a neoclassical building located on the eastern tip (Strelka) of Vasilyevsky Island in central Saint Petersburg. It was designed by the French architect Jean-François Thomas de Thomon and completed in the early 19th century.

The site includes the main porticoed exchange building and two flanking Rostral Columns set on the riverfront, forming a deliberate architectural composition on the Neva River. The complex is a focal point of the city’s riverside landscape and is visible from the Winter Palace and Palace Embankment.

Originally constructed to house commercial exchange activities, the building has long been associated with maritime and trading functions; over time it has been used for museum and cultural purposes related to naval and maritime history. The structure and columns remain key elements of Saint Petersburg’s classical urban ensemble.

Sited at the Strelka of Vasilyevsky Island, the building faces the Neva River and is centrally located within Saint Petersburg’s historic core, close to the city centre and major landmarks on the opposite bank.

• Architect and period: Designed by French architect Jean-François Thomas de Thomon and completed in the early 19th century, the building is a key example of Russian neoclassical architecture.
• Best viewpoint: The building and its forecourt are best viewed from the opposite bank of the Neva or from the Palace Embankment, where the full composition and the Rostral Columns are visible.

What to See#

• Exchange building: The neoclassical exchange building occupies the tip of Vasilyevsky Island and faces the Neva River, forming the architectural centrepiece of the Strelka (spit).
• Rostral Columns: Two large rostral columns stand on either side of the approach to the building and serve as prominent riverfront landmarks seen from across the Neva.

The Old Head of Kinsale is about a 20-25 minute drive south of Kinsale town centre and roughly 35-45 minutes from Cork city. Take the R600 and follow signs for the Old Head; limited parking is available. There is no public bus directly to the head; taxis from Kinsale or Cork are common.

• Walk the coastal loop rather than staying on the road-the cliffs reveal seabird colonies and small coves.
• Time a visit near sunset for dramatic light on the headland's lighthouse and long views down the Cork coast.
• Be mindful of cliff safety: keep well back from the edge and watch for loose ground, especially after rain.