Twenty kilometers from the center of Sochi, at the mouth of the Mzymta River, is a city that arose about 400 years ago. Its history is no less interesting than the history of ancient settlements on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory. We are talking about Adler - a resort rich in historical and natural monuments. In today's article, we will talk about one of the attractions of the city - the park " Southern Culture " .
Sochi was a favorite city of Russian nobles. In the 19th century, land was actively bought by ministers, tsarist officials, and bankers. Danil Drachevsky , a general and well-known statesman, also loved these places. Park " Southern Cultures " in Sochi appeared, thanks to this man.
Daniil Drachevsky
He was born in the Chernigov province in 1858. He graduated from the military gymnasium. He participated in the Russian-Turkish war. Drachevsky made a brilliant military career, and in 1907 he took the post of mayor of St. Petersburg. The general did a lot for the improvement of the Northern capital, but he liked the southern landscapes rather than St. Petersburg. In Adler, he acquired the estate, here he decided to set up a park, for which he attracted the best specialists in Russia.
The idea to create a corner of exotic plants in Sochi came to Drachevsky in 1910. After five years, the general was brought on charges of embezzling a large amount from the state budget. Perhaps the estate in Adler has nothing to do with this matter. In 1918, Drachevsky died. He, like many Russian nobles, became a victim of the " Red Terror. "
Arnold Regel
Drachevsky entrusted the creation of the park to the well-known gardener and dendrologist . Arnold Regel was an engineer, he devoted most of his life to landscape architecture. At the end of the XIX century, he founded a company that was engaged in the planning of private gardens. And in 1910 Regel designed the park, called " Random " . This was the order of General Drachevsky. At the mouth of Mzymta, three kilometers from Adler, a unique natural monument appeared, which was later renamed " Southern Cultures " . The park in Sochi, whose photo was often decorated with Soviet postcards depicting the sights of the country's main resort, after the revolution, like many other objects, was nationalized.
From the history of the park
So, Drachevsky acquired land in Adler and ordered the creation of the project of the future park to the best landscape architect in the country. It is noteworthy that Regel at that time worked in St. Petersburg. Being two thousand kilometers from Adler, he led the process of building the park. Regel requested data on the topography, soil composition, and collected information about the state of the climate. Roman Skrivanek , a gardener of Czech origin, a native of Adler, embodied the idea of the architect.
The South Culture Park in Sochi was built in record time - in just two years. In 1912, Drachevsky was able to inspect his possessions with a feeling of complete satisfaction. It was a real masterpiece of landscape art.
Soviet time
During the first five years, more than 700 species of rare plants were collected. But there was a revolution. The new government was not up to the park and other Sochi attractions. They shot not only the general, but also the masters of park art. In the territory where the picturesque park was laid out, a state farm appeared. Among exotic plants, now more and more common vegetables and fruits usual for Russia were found here.
In the mid-thirties, the authorities finally remembered the park, built on the site of a former noble estate. The territory was expanded, a new collection of East Asian plants was planted, which were received as a fee for assistance in the construction of the Sino-East Railway . In the late thirties, the Southern Cultures Park turned into the main supplier of exotic flowers, plants and shrubs not only for the Krasnodar Territory, but also for the whole country.
In the fifties, a new eucalyptus alley appeared in the park. This was the last major landing in the twentieth century. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the park gradually collapsed. By the end of the nineties, he was already in a deplorable state, in which tornadoes played a significant role. The Southern Cultures survived, thanks in large part to the dedicated work of the park staff. After all, experts looked after exotic plants, no matter what .
According to reviews, the South Culture Park in Sochi today is in excellent condition. Reconstruction began in 2008. Five years later , Southern Cultures became a branch of Sochi National Park. Today it is included in the list of the main attractions of the Adler district.
What does the park look like these days?
Blooming oasis is located near the street with a symbolic name. The address of the park " Southern Culture " (Sochi): st. Nagorny impasse, 13 / 3B. But many vacationers, when asked about how to get here, are called Flower. The fact that the "Southern Culture" are very close to this street. The park is open every day from 9:00 to 19:00. Paid entrance. The cost of a ticket for an adult is 250 rubles. Admission is free for children under 7 years old. For adolescents up to 14 years old a discount (120 rubles).
Park " Southern Culture " can be visited at any time of the year. Here is a unique collection, which includes about 1,500 trees and shrubs. The territory is divided into small sections by small paths and winding paths. In open glades you can see rare cultures: a tulip tree, a Himalayan cedar, and fir, and eucalyptus. Before visiting it is better to familiarize yourself with the scheme, which is located at the entrance. The park offers guided tours. Be sure to make at least a few photos of unique plants when visiting, because nothing like this can be seen in any park in Russia.
How to get there
From Sochi to the park " Southern Culture " can be reached by bus number 57K. He stops near the airport building. From here to the road will take at least thirty minutes. You need to get out at the next stop after the " Poultry Factory " . From Sochi you can get to the park and take bus number 135. Tourists need to get to the Noviy Vek stop, then go to Kaspiyskaya, cross the bridge over the Mzymta River and turn right into another street with a floral name - Tulipov Street.
How to get from Adler station?
From here you can reach the park by buses No. 59, 57, 171, 132. The stop is located on Enlightenment Street, located from the station from the sea. For those who like hiking, you can take minibus number 135. Vacationers will have to get to the “ Market Mishutki ” stop, then go to the park for about one and a half kilometers: turn off Aviation on the Caspian, walk three hundred meters, turn onto Tulpanov Street.