The landscape park, a monument of 19th-century art, is located in the northwest of Moscow and is recognized as a cultural heritage site. Contrary to popular belief, it is not named after Peter the Great, but due to the former location of the High-Petrovsky Monastery.

The park covers more than 22 hectares, with a palace rising in its center. Muscovites immediately fell in love with this place, and it received the unofficial name "Moscow Versailles." Centuries-old trees coexist with well-maintained recreation areas, making the park popular among city dwellers. In summer, people seek refuge here from the urban hustle, and on weekends, they attend matches of the Dynamo football club.

In 1774, after the victory over the Ottoman Empire, Catherine II decided to commemorate this event by constructing a palace in the Turkish style. The project was initially led by Bazhenov, who was later replaced by Matvey Kazakov. The palace, built on the monastery's land, was distinguished by exquisite sculptures and luxurious decor.

Although the palace did not become the empress's residence, Catherine stayed here twice after its opening in 1783. The building held symbolic significance, while the park remained abandoned. Under Alexander I, a tradition emerged to stop here during coronations, and the palace became known as "the way palace."

During the Patriotic War, part of the park was damaged by fire. French soldiers did not loot the palace; it was the peasants who did. Reconstruction began under Nicholas I, led by architect Ivan Tamansky, who changed the decor to a European style.

In 1812, Napoleon stayed at the Petrovsky Palace for four days, watching the fire in Moscow. Pushkin mentioned this event in "Eugene Onegin."

Tamansky was assisted by Mikhail Lopyrevsky and the Scot Adam Menelas, a master of garden art. The process was overseen by General Bashilov. The collaboration of these individuals led to the creation of "Moscow Versailles," covering 65 hectares.

At Menelas's initiative, ponds and pavilions for veterans of the 1812 war appeared in the park. Three alleys crossed the forest strip: Naryshkinskaya, Petrovskaya-Razumovskaya, and Lipa, with the central one being the Palace Alley. A new road for royal persons was laid to the Kamer-Kollegsky rampart.

The complex was located on Maslovaya wasteland, where dacha plots of the nobility were purchased for construction. According to Bykovsky's project, a summer theater was built on Palace Alley, and a garden for festivals appeared nearby. Under Alexander II, the park became a place for public festivities, with the construction of an imperial pavilion and fountains with wine and tea.

During Nicholas II's coronation, public festivities took place in Petrovsky Park, despite the tragedy at Khodynka Field. After the revolution, this became one of the accusations against the autocrat.

In the second half of the 19th century, parts of the park were sold for the construction of dachas for the nobility, which reduced its territory. Among the notable residents were writers Turgenev, Pisemsky, and Zagoskin, and entrepreneurs Ryabushinsky and Morozov. The park preserved its unique layout of alleys, with linden, maple, and oak trees, and later poplars were planted.

At the "Black Swan" villa of Nikolai Ryabushinsky, known for his extravagance, noisy parties were held. The dacha amazed with its appearance, surrounded by palm trees, and instead of a guard dog, there was a leopard. The fire of 1915 and the revolution damaged the "Black Swan," but the portrait of Bryusov by Vrubel was saved. Now, the Moscow mayor's office is restoring artifacts based on photographs and sketches.

Vrubel also left his mark in the park's history while undergoing treatment at the Usoltsov hospital. The specialist's dacha became a medical institution where representatives of the creative intelligentsia were treated. The Usoltsov psychiatric clinic, with its red gates, is the main attraction of the park and is protected by the state.

The first entertainment establishment in the park appeared in 1836, called "Voksal," where Liszt and Rubinstein performed. Near the Petersburg highway was the restaurant "Yar," popular among the bohemia. The building was repeatedly reconstructed.

The "Strelna" restaurant amazed with its luxury; architect Natruskin designed a winter garden with tropical trees. The "Eldorado" restaurant had an ambiguous reputation due to frequent brawls.

The park became a refuge for gypsy camps, with concerts held at "Yar." In 1899, the first line of electric tram was introduced to the park.

The park also houses the Church of the Annunciation, where hundreds of parishioners gathered on holidays. The main shrine of the church is the miraculous icon of the Lord Almighty from the 17th century.

With the onset of the civil war, the park fell into disrepair, dachas were looted, and restaurants closed. During the years of Red Terror, several hundred hostages were shot here.

In the 1920s, the park was used for sports activities, and the Dynamo stadium was built, opening in 1928. The park became the center of sports life, hosting international competitions at the stadium.

The park's restaurants closed, and new state structures appeared in their place. In the 1990s, restoration of ancient buildings began, and the Malachite Hall was restored.

The Dynamo stadium was replaced by the "VTB Arena," designed by architect David Manika. A sculpture was installed in honor of Lev Yashin, the first goalkeeper to receive the "Ballon d'Or."

A church dedicated to the holy martyr Vladimir was built in the park, covered with mosaics. The painting was done by artist Sergey Golyshev, and the work took 16 years. The church has the status of a baptismal.

The park operates around the clock and is located in the Northern Administrative District of Moscow. It can be reached by tram and buses, with parking nearby. The nearest metro stations are "Petrovsky Park" and "Dynamo."

Address: Moscow, Leningradsky Prospekt 40. On days of paid events, entry and access to the park are restricted. Attendance reaches 250,000 people per day.