St. Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Russia. Many tourists, coming here, do not even bother to pre-book excursions. You can just walk around the city and discover something new and beautiful every day for several months. Some places attract not only with their beauty, but also with a special atmosphere, for example, Izmailovsky Garden.
Historical background
Not all native Petersburgers know that the Fontanka River was once a small stream, and the lands in its vicinity were considered suburban. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, it was customary to organize dachas and build estates here. On the left bank of the Fontanka, one of the most comfortable estates was the possession of the postmaster Ash. It is believed that it was he who was the first to build a well-maintained park around his house at the place where the legendary Izmailovsky Garden is located today. In 1785, Catherine II transferred the garden and the manor house to the Academy of Sciences and the Imperial Russian Academy. A little later, the park becomes the property of P. Zubov, the favorite of the Empress. New owner breaks down hereluxury flower garden. However, already under Alexander the First, the territory becomes abandoned. And it is appropriate to call the park only landscape.
Buff Garden
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the green zone gets its modern name. Izmailovsky Garden was named after the regiment of the same name, the barracks of which were very close on the Fontanka. In 1888, the park was rented by the German city club Schuster Club. It was at that time that the first restaurant was opened in the recreation area, an equipped stage and many other entertainment facilities appeared. Even then, this place became quite popular, but its real dawn was a little later. In 1898, a new tenant appeared near the garden - Peter Tumpakov, a merchant who came from Yaroslavl. He demolished almost all the old buildings, erected a new restaurant and a theater, which he called "Buff", and soon the whole park began to be called that. Tumpakov installed electric lighting in the garden, which was a novelty for that time. In the evenings, performances and performances by the most fashionable artists were held here, flower beds and trees were illuminated, and multi-colored light bulbs were lit around. It was an incredibly fashionable place where all the most distinguished and we althy residents of St. Petersburg came.
Park in Soviet times
After the events of 1917, the park retained its purpose and overall appearance. The theater building was rebuilt and enlarged, there was also a summer terrace where concerts were held, and on weekdays you could play chess. The Izmailovsky Garden did not suffer too much even during the blockade: on itsterritory, local residents planted a vegetable garden. After the war, the original name was returned to the park, the local theater, accordingly, became known as the "Summer Theater of Izmailovsky Garden". In 1980, a new Youth Theater was opened on the territory of the green recreation area. In the 90s of the last century, the garden did not receive proper care and was in some desolation, like many other similar objects throughout the country. The situation began to change for the better with the beginning of the 2000s.
Izmailovsky Garden: photo and decor description
Large-scale reconstruction and improvement of the recreation area was carried out in 2007. Then the old theater building was dismantled and a new three-story building was built. Luxurious flower beds were again laid out in the park, new benches and lanterns appeared, and all garbage was removed. Although the recreation area is small, it is pleasant to visit here. According to many, like all of St. Petersburg, the Izmailovsky Garden has a very special aura and atmosphere. Not so long ago, the park was decorated with modern sculptures. These are giant squares and balls that hide in bushes or hang directly from tree branches. There are big-eyed fly agarics, windmills and other intricate characters and figures here. This design makes the park truly unusual and literally cosmic. Many tourists who come to St. Petersburg for a few days tend to get into the Izmailovsky Garden and take original photos as a keepsake.
Petersburg angel
In the autumn of 2012, the mostreal angel. No, this is not an excerpt from a mystical novel about St. Petersburg, but quite real notes of contemporaries. The sculpture was created by Roman Shustrov, and this model was among the winners. This special place is Izmailovsky Garden. The angel installed here is also an exception to the rule. This is a small man in a hat and raincoat with an age that is difficult to determine, he has a book in his hands, and an umbrella over his head. Wings growing from the back complete the picture. The author emphasizes that he wanted to portray a collective image of the spirituality of the St. Petersburg intelligentsia. These were special people born at the beginning of the last century in the northern capital. Having lived not the simplest and happiest life, they know how to remain young and positive in old age, and it is a pity that every year there are fewer and fewer of them among us.
Where is Izmailovsky Garden?
This recreation area is one of the oldest and most legendary in St. Petersburg. Finding it is not difficult at all, the exact address is Fontanka River Embankment, 114. The solid fence of the park, as well as the riot of greenery behind it, can be seen from afar. Another landmark is the theater, located right in the green zone. Be sure to take the time and visit the Izmailovsky Garden during your trip to St. Petersburg. How to get here by public transport? Everything is quite simple - the nearest metro station is Technological Institute, then it is more convenient to ask passers-by for directions or use a navigator.
