The Admiralty building we see today was built between 1806 and 1823.The building is the marvelous example of the Russian Empire style, with rows of white columns, wonderful relief detail and numerous statues. The gilded spire of the Admiralty and particularly the little ship on its top is one of St. Petersburg’s famous landmarks. The Admiralty was Russia’s Naval Headquarters until 1917, and now serves as a naval college.