Twelve colleges  
 

University buildings - corner of the Twelve Colleges building by Domenico Trezzini built between 1722 and 1742. The main facade (length) of the building is at right angles to the Neva, so only the end is visible from the river side, just west of the Academy of Sciences. The college was commissioned by Peter I but the design was changed by Prince Menshikov, on whose land it was built, to save him space. This resulted in Menshikov receiving Peter's ire. The 12 collegees were originally government departments modeled on the Swedish style - foreign affairs, war, finance and others.It was Alexander I who in 1802 replaced the colleges with European ministries and in 1819 gave the buildings to the University which was founded then.

 
   

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