St Petersburg, Russia - The Admiralty [with St Isaac's Cathedral behind on the right] The Admiralty building was constructed in 1823 as the administrative headquarters of the Russian Navy. Designed by Andreyan Zakharov, it is best known for its impressive central tower and crowning gilt spire. Rising to a height of over seventy meters, the spire is surmounted by a brilliant windvane in the form of a frigate, which has become the ubiquitous symbol of the city. 20&21/08/00