The magnificent and majestic St. Petersburg is rich in parks and gardens. At all seasons of the year they beckon guests of the Northern capital and townspeople under the crowns of their centuries-old trees. They are so diverse that everyone can choose their own special place where they want to be alone with nature. Each park has a history and is unique in its own way. Yekaterinhof is no exception - the park, which has become a very popular venue for leisure activities for many Petersburgers. Even in winter it is always crowded.
Park history
Yekateringof Park (SPB) has a long and interesting history. He knew the heyday and the time of complete oblivion. It is obvious that each historical era left its mark on its landscape and the architecture of the ensemble.
In 1711, by decree of Peter I, the Ekaterinhof Palace was built. A garden was laid out in front of him, several canals were laid, and various services were built. A rather modest wooden palace laid the foundation for a beautiful palace and park complex.
At first, Yekaterinhof, the author of which is considered the Italian architect Domenico Trezzini, was just a cozy estate with a fairly simple layout. A canal led to the palace, which had an open terrace surrounded by a balustrade and a wide staircase, which, expanding, created a small harbor. It was dug simultaneously with the construction of the palace and has survived to this day.
Yekaterinhof (park), as well as the estate, is a gift from Peter I to his wife on their wedding day. The place for construction was not chosen by chance - on the banks of the Black River Peter I and A. Menshikov for the first time in the history of Russia (1703) defeated the Swedes at sea.
Park appearance
In front of the palace was a modest garden. Its decoration consisted only of small stalls, trellis galleries, two flower beds and arbors twined with strange plants, created by the French gardener D. Brockett, who was constantly engaged in the arrangement of the garden park.
On the opposite side of the house was a large meadow, which was surrounded by a picturesque grove. There was also a Dutch garden. In front of it were two guardhouses.
In 1717, at the invitation of Emperor Peter, the famous French architect and engineer Jean Baptiste Leblond came to Petersburg. He was commissioned to develop a master plan for St. Petersburg. In parallel, Leblon is working on a reconstruction project for Yekaterinhof. He proposed raising the ground by three feet (approximately 90 cm), since the estate was in a lowland.
Leblon created a project for the reconstruction of the garden and the organization of the park. The work on its implementation was to be led by a former gardener D. Brockett.
Park at Anna Ivanovna
Leblond's project was not destined to materialize. In 1730, Anna Ioannovna, a great hunting lover, ascended the throne. In St. Petersburg, menageries started by Peter I were urgently restored.
Anna Ioannovna wished to see a large hunting park on the territory of Yekaterinhof. Famous architects I. Ya. Blank, M. G. Zemtsov and I. P. Davydov were involved in the development of this project. In the center of the park, the area where the Hunting Palace was supposed to stand was conceived. From him a fancier cleared the menagerie. Designed on the territory of hunting grounds, fields, stables and dog houses.
In 1737, work began on the reconstruction of the park, but was soon suspended - Anna Ioannovna ordered to reduce costs. The project was not implemented.
Reconstruction of the park under Elizaveta Petrovna
Yekaterinhof is a park that reached its heyday during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna. During this period, a large-scale reconstruction of the garden and the palace was carried out. Supervised by Herman van Boles.
According to the developed project, it was planned to redevelop the entire territory of the complex, to create a radiation system of alleys that would lead to the main entrance of the palace.
Elizabeth personally monitored how Yekaterinhof was reconstructed. The park was really landscaped - the old ones were fixed and new paths laid, trees, shrubs planted, the flower beds updated and put in order.
To protect the oaks of Petrovsky planting around them, according to the project of architect A. Vista, a stone fence with an iron grate was installed.
The ponds and the Petrovsky Canal located at the palace were cleaned and deepened. Yekaterinhof - the park that the Great Peter began to create, again became the place of May festivities. The Empress always took part in these celebrations.
Period of decline
After the death of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna Yekatergof, the park, which in her reign was one of St. Petersburg's favorite vacation spots, fell into decay. At the beginning of the reign of the Empress, the ensemble was still given attention. By tradition, glorious events and important dates in Russian history were celebrated here. But soon the lands of Yekaterinhof began to be given to nobles and wealthy citizens. In these areas, summer residences began to appear.
Park in the 19th century
By the end of the 19th century, the park turned into an urban outskirts. Here the proletarians began to gather for May Day, merchants drank at night. After the revolution, the park received a new name - the Garden to them. The 1 of May. During this period, two sights appeared - the legendary "Girl with an Oar" and a monument to the heroes of Krasnodon.
Post-war years
During WWII, the park was badly damaged. In 1949, the Russian architect V.V. Stepanov developed a project for the reconstruction and expansion of a cultural object. A clear division of the garden into two parts without the connection of the existing volumetric-spatial composition led to its complete decline, especially the old, western part. Expansion of the territory was supposed, but everything remained as before. Since October 1948, the object received a new name - Park them. 30th anniversary of the Komsomol.
SPB GKU "Park Ekateringof"
In 1993, the public institution "Yekaterinhof Culture and Recreation Park" was established. He faces the following tasks:
- restoration and development of the park and organization of leisure activities;
- improving the environmental situation of the city.
To achieve the goals SPB GKU "Park Ekaterinof" carries out the following activities:
- regular cleaning of the territory, storage of swept snow;
- planting and care of trees, shrubs, lawns, flower beds;
- Creation, repair and maintenance of park paths and sites;
- carrying out protective and preventive work on plant protection and agrotechnical care for them, on sanitary cleaning, cutting down
and replacing diseased and damaged plants;
- installation, maintenance and care of small architectural forms, landscape gardening furniture, implements and equipment;
- the cultivation of planting material and the production of land-vegetable mixtures based on the collection and processing of grass, leaves and other organic waste;
- maintenance of engineering networks located in the park;
- Organization of a greenhouse and greenhouse facilities for growing flowers, agricultural and wood-shrub products;
- maintenance and servicing of sledges, boats, sports, beach and game equipment, attractions;
- carrying out cultural, entertainment and sports and recreational activities in the park.
Yekaterinhof Park today: attractions and entertainment
If you happen to come to St. Petersburg, you must visit Yekaterinhof Park . It is a quiet corner in a busy city. Silky grass, a pond with boats and magnificent horses. This is a great place for those who want to be alone with nature, read in the shade of centuries-old trees and think. Park "Ekaterinof" (metro station "Narvskaya") still preserves priceless historical sights.
Ekaterinhof - a park that resembles the legendary Peterhof. It can be considered a miracle of engineering of those ancient times.
The Ekaterinofka River is an ideal place for a relaxing holiday. From its shore offers a magnificent view of the Church of the Epiphany.
Ekaterinhof Palace
Until now, experts are arguing who built the Yekaterinhof Palace. Some believe that the architect D. Trezzini became its author. Under Peter I, the palace was small, wooden, with narrow and low rooms.
Behind the complex was a vast park and menagerie. Peter liked to move through the water, so a navigable canal was dug to the palace from the Black River. It ended at the porch with a small harbor. Round ponds were dug on both sides of the canal. In 1823, the first suspension chain bridge in Russia was built on the Petrovsky Canal, which has not survived to this day.
In 1924, the Yekaterinhof Palace burned down from an accidental fire. The residents of nearby villages stole what was left of it for firewood.
Boat station
Yekaterinhof Park (metro station “Narvskaya”) has its own ponds. And therefore, there are boats too. Everyone can rent a boat or a catamaran and ride on the mirror surface. At the pond you can feed the ducks. Park guards recommend using rye bread for this.
Colon (Pillar of Molvin)
This very high column made of red granite is located at the entrance to the park, not far from the Molvinsky bridge over Tarakanovka. There are several versions about the origin of this pedestal, which does not have any inscriptions.
According to one of them, this is a monument to the favorite of Catherine Mons, whom Peter the Great executed as a warning to his unfaithful wife. According to another version, this is the burial place of the horse of Peter I Lysette.
The column was staged by architect Montferrand. There is another, quite controversial hypothesis that connects the appearance of this attraction with the name of the Molvo vodka and sugar manufacturer, who had two factories and a summer house on the shores of Tarakanovka. The Pillar of Molvin seemed to be a billboard - it placed an advertisement for popular products.
Rides
Surprisingly, the antique Yekaterinhof attractions, unlike those in the Tauride Garden, not only did not close, but even prettier and flourished. Despite its venerable age, most carousels work properly. Between them built nice huts in which you can buy tickets.
And in another such house there is an old classic shooting range with two pneumatic guns and several targets. At the gates of the attractions there is a mobile unit, to the delight of the kids making popcorn and cotton candy.
Cafe
There are many cafes and bistros in the vicinity of Yekaterinhof Park. Shawarma, barbecue, coffee, tea, soft drinks. In addition, there are McDonald's and the Attic Cafe with excellent home cooking.
Tennis
There are five clay tennis courts in the park. Locker rooms and showers are organized in the utility rooms. You can bring your own rackets or rent them in the park.
Equestrian Club (Yekateringof Park)
Before the revolution, this park was one of the most popular places for horseback riding. And today there is an equestrian club. Ekateringof Park invites everyone to learn how to stay in the saddle (600 rubles a month) or just ride a few times under the supervision of an experienced instructor (150 rubles per hour).
The club breeds thoroughbred horses. Here you can buy your favorite individual. Everyone can individually engage with a trainer, take part in an original photo shoot. The club has a children's section and a section for people with disabilities. Experienced trainers are involved in miraculous hippotherapy. Here you can order wedding rides, horseback riding and chat with these smart animals.