Tavrichesky Garden, one of the largest parks in St. Petersburg, is located in the city center, near famous landmarks such as the Smolny Cathedral and the A. V. Suvorov Museum. The main architectural dominant of the park is the Tavrichesky Palace, from which the garden got its name. Together they form a unified landscape-architectural complex. Today, this garden is a favorite place for residents of St. Petersburg to walk with children, engage in sports, have picnics, or photo sessions. It also hosts public festivities, with the celebration of Maslenitsa being particularly popular.

History of the Creation of Tavrichesky Garden

The Tavrichesky Garden and palace form a single ensemble created between 1783 and 1789. This complex became a symbol of Russia's victories in the wars of the late 18th century. The owner was Grigory Potemkin, who financed the construction from his personal funds. Later, the palace and garden were purchased by the treasury and gifted to Catherine II along with the title of the Most Serene Prince of Taurida.

The garden was laid out in 1783 and 1800 by English gardener William Gould, who was a pupil of Lancelot Brown, known for his landscape parks. Gould is considered one of the founders of Russian landscape gardening.

Tavrichesky Garden in Imperial Times

Initially, Tavrichesky Garden was closed to the public as it was managed by the imperial court. A system of two ponds with channels was created in place of the Samoroyka River. During their construction, viewing hills were formed from the excavated soil.

Two islands were created in the south of the Large Pond, one of which was planted with trees. In the north, a hill was built with a view of the palace. The island was connected to the shore by two bridges, one of which was built by Ivan Kulibin in 1793 but was later dismantled.

Trees were planted along the edges of the site to separate it from urban development. In 1793-1794, the first metal bridges in St. Petersburg appeared in the garden. Sturgeon were released into the ponds, and in 1794, the Garden Master's House and other buildings were constructed according to the design of Fyodor Volkov.

Volkov, a well-known architect and master of classicism, also built greenhouses where fruits and pineapples were grown. On the pond's shore, he erected the "Admiralty" gazebo, where boats were stored.

Tavrichesky Garden for Everyone

In 1815, the first Russian steamboat "Elizaveta" was tested in the garden. In 1822, Ludwig Charlemagne built a fence with gates along Tavricheskaya Street. Swans swam on the pond, and peacocks walked on the lawns. In 1829, a prince from Persia gifted a sea seal to the garden.

The garden became accessible to the public. A restaurant opened in the "Admiralty" gazebo. In 1875, a pavilion was built to replace the burned gazebo. In winter, people skated and slid down ice hills here.

Other Names of Tavrichesky Garden

The garden suffered from the flood of 1924 and the blockade of Leningrad. From 1932, it was called the Culture and Leisure Park named after the First Five-Year Plan, and from 1958, the City Children's Park. In 1975, the garden was returned to its historical name. Despite the renaming, it has always remained Tavrichesky Garden for the residents.

Restoration of Tavrichesky Garden

In 1962, a monument "To the Young Heroes of the Defense of Leningrad" was opened in the garden. In 1990, a bust of Tchaikovsky was installed, and in 1995, a monument to Yesenin. The first restoration took place after the war and was completed in 1958, the second in 1997 and 2001. Old trees, mainly oaks, larches, and lindens, have been preserved in the garden. In the central part, open areas alternate with post-war plantings.

The Greenhouse of Tavrichesky Garden

The greenhouse is part of the ensemble of Tavrichesky Garden. The first greenhouse was designed by William Gould at the request of Catherine the Great. In the late 1920s, the Palm Greenhouse was dismantled and moved to the Botanical Garden. In 1935, a new greenhouse was established here from the Tsarskoye Selo horticulture.

Today, in the greenhouse, one can escape the urban hustle, have a romantic date or photo session among tropical greenery, as well as attend exhibitions and concerts. On the second floor, there is a cafe "Orangery" with a view of the greenhouse, where you can have coffee and a snack.