Description of the attraction
This old garden is a favorite place, not only of the indigenous inhabitants of St. Petersburg, but also of the guests of the northern capital. It is located in the city center, next to the Admiralty building. Its area is 9 hectares. In this historical place, as if there is a parallel between the present and the past of the city. Nearby are architectural monuments: the building of the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, Palace Square, the City Administration / Cheka, the Lobanov-Rostovsky House, the General Staff Building, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the building of the Senate and Synod. The garden is crowned with the Bronze Horseman - a monument to Peter I. Alexandrovsky Garden - the pearl of St. Petersburg is included in the World Heritage List.
In the 18th century, there was a boulevard on the site of the Alexander Garden, then there were already benches and trees here. Admiral S. A. Greig came up with a proposal to build a garden here, botanist E. L. Regel developed a landscaping project. The beginning of the work was timed to the anniversary date - the 200th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the city - Peter I. For 2 years, colossal work was done: the territory was expanded, new shrubs and trees were planted, forged benches made of cast iron were installed. In 1874, the garden was inaugurated and named after Emperor Alexander II, who was personally present at the ceremony.
6 years later, the center of the garden was decorated with a unique fountain, which is one of the most striking sights of St. Petersburg. The construction of the architect L. Geshwend is called "dancing": the height of the jet changes to the beat of the music.
At the end of the 19th century, monuments to M. Lermontov, N. Gogol, M. Glinka, V. Zhukovsky and N. Przhevalsky were erected in the Alexander Garden.
The reconstruction of the Alexander Garden, which was carried out later under the direction of the architect I. Fomin, slightly changed the appearance of the garden: overgrown trees were cut down, and flower beds and rose gardens gave the garden a unique charm and color.
During the Great Patriotic War, St. Petersburg residents preserved all the trees, but the raids of enemy aircraft caused significant damage to the garden. But after the lifting of the blockade of Leningrad, improvement work began here.
Unfortunately, during the years of Soviet power, the garden was renamed more than once. In 1920 it was named the Workers' Garden. In 1936, the Workers' Garden began to bear the name of Maxim Gorky. Later the name "Sashkin Garden" was assigned to the garden. The older generation christened this place that way. In the era of perestroika in 1989, the garden becomes Admiralty, and only in 1997 it was returned to its former name - Aleksandrovsky.
In 1998, for the anniversary date of the famous Russian diplomat Prince Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov (200 years from the date of his birth), his bust was installed in the Alexander Garden. The author of the sculpture is the sculptor A. S. Charkin.
In 2001, restoration began in the garden. The fact is that the original Petrovsky fence required urgent restoration measures, many trees required sawing. But not only these works were carried out, according to a single plan, the Alexander Garden was transformed. The green decoration of the garden was supplemented by trees and shrubs, flower beds and lawns, new paths, and a sewage system were laid. Sophisticated landscape design has made the garden a single ensemble.
The modern Alexander Garden is a place where various festivals and competitions, including world-class ones, take place. In 2007, as part of the 1st International Flower Festival, carpets of floral arrangements were laid out here. As part of this large-scale event, master classes, "Ball of Flowers", exhibitions of ornamental plants, flowers, garden accessories, and children's contests were held.
At any time of the year, this historical landmark is beautiful, and all guests of the northern capital try to visit here.
