There are names of places familiar from childhood from books and movies. Such places include the Alexander Garden of St. Petersburg and many of the city's attractions. It does not always happen to be there, but if you still manage to visit this city, then we know that you need to find a little time and be sure to see famous places and, of course, find out the history. Though not always what we see will justify our children's ideas, but the realization that I have been here and walked along these light paths brings a feeling of satisfaction.
What was the beginning
The Alexander Garden of St. Petersburg is an ancient garden that has a history associated with the history of the city itself. It begins with the Admiralty, which was originally built as a shipyard, part of the Admiralty Fortress. Her drawings were signed by Peter I himself, who was personally present at the bookmark.
Like any fortress, the Admiralteyskaya was surrounded by a moat filled with water, and glacis - a place specially cleared of trees, thanks to which the enemy can not get to the fortress unnoticed. Over time, the Admiralty as a fortress has lost its significance. The glacis space became known as the meadow, where livestock and military exercises were grazed .
During the holidays, mass festivities were organized here, for which booths, slides for riding, carousels, and fairs were held. Under Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, the canal was ordered to be cleaned regularly and the territory of the meadow should be paved. This work was fully completed only under Catherine II.
Paul I decided to restore the Admiralty Fortress and made some reconstruction here, as a result of which the fortifications were put in order, the embankment was enlarged and strengthened.
Location of the Alexander Garden in St. Petersburg
The plan of the city of St. Petersburg was conceived by Peter I in the form of three rays emanating from the central point - the Admiralty. Two rays, planned even during the first emperor, were Nevsky and Ascension Prospects. The third ray, modern Gorokhovaya Street, appears in 1736.
These three rays emanating from the Admiralty divided the giant meadow into three future areas: Admiralteyskaya, Isaakievskaya and Petrovskaya. In other words, the Admiralty together with the Alexander Garden is the historical center of the city.
Naturally, the main attractions are concentrated around the garden: St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Winter Palace, the building of the Admiralty itself, the Senate, the Synod, Palace Square, the building of the Mayor, the house of Lobanov-Rostovsky and, of course, the Bronze Horseman. Find it in the city is easy, the address of the Alexander Garden in St. Petersburg: Admiralteysky Prospekt, 1.
Boulevard
The city developed rapidly. The northern capital became the center of international relations and the face of the empire. It was here that ambassadors from all countries came. The Admiralty area gradually became the center of the city. Emperor Alexander I decided to eliminate the fortress. To this end, he ordered the Admiralty building to give a secular appearance so that it fits into the ensemble of the city.
Before proceeding with the reconstruction, Alexander I issued a decree ordering to create a boulevard around the building, which over time was destined to become a prototype of the Alexander Garden of St. Petersburg. On three sides of the Admiralty, three paths were to pass, along which four rows of trees were planted. Guidance was entrusted to the English gardener Gould.
Green benches were set up on the boulevard according to the project of Ruska. Lighting was carried out using 50 oil lamps. The whole territory was fenced, and it was possible to enter the boulevard through the turnstiles, guarded by sentries. Each lawn was surrounded by a border of bars. Tea and coffee houses were built. The boulevard has become a favorite place for citizens to walk.
Breakdown of the Alexander Garden
The initiator of the garden layout at the site of the boulevard was Admiral S. A. Greig, the landscaping project was developed by botanist E. Regel. The beginning of the laying of the garden was timed to coincide with the anniversary date - 200 years since the birth of Emperor Peter I (1874). Emperor Alexander II himself took part in it, by whose name the garden was named.
In two years, a lot of work was done: the site was expanded, a large number of trees and shrubs were planted, new benches made of cast iron were put. The grand opening was held in 1874. Over time, the garden acquired new elements that formed its unique appearance. Six years later, under the guidance of architect L. Geshvend, a “dancing” fountain was built in the Alexander Garden in St. Petersburg, which is a landmark of the city.
Towards the end of the 19th century, monuments to V. Zhukovsky, M. Lermontov, N. Gogol, M. Glinka, N. Przhevalsky were discovered in the park. After this, a partial reconstruction of the garden was carried out. The work was led by the architect I. Fomin. Cutting down of overgrown trees was carried out, crowns were trimmed, flower beds and rose gardens were broken.
How to get there
After the revolution, the garden was renamed several times, but in the end it began to be called as before - Alexandrovsky. UNESCO Garden is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
How to get to the Alexander Garden in St. Petersburg? You can get to it by metro. Drive to the Admiralteyskaya station, from which walk a bit to the garden itself. But do not confuse the Alexander Garden with the Alexander Park, which is located on the Petrograd side.