Russian National Library, St. Petersburg.

In 1796-1801 the architect E. Sokolov built the first library building at the corner with Sadovaya Street. In 1828-1834, Rossi added a new building, the main facade of which faces Ostrovsky Square. The walls of the new addition were decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures of scientists, orators, philosophers, and writers of antiquity, dominated by the figure of Minerva. In the late 19th century, Rossi's edifice was augmented by addition of a building, designed by E. Vorotilov, at the corner of the street named for Ivan Krylov, the narrator of fables who for many years worked in the library. Saint Petersburg's library is one of the world's largest (with 25 million volumes) and the second-largest in Russia. The Russian holding is the world's most complete collection of editions of books printed in Russia.