Summer Garden

Photo by flickr user jimg944

This garden is the oldest in this North Russian city and was founded just a year after St. Petersburg itself. It was created by order of Peter the Great in 1704 and is overlooked by the famous Summer Palace. This park is unusual in that it is not actually on mainland and is instead on an island where the Fontanka River and Swan canal join the Moika, but it is still very close to the centre of the city. It is laid out according to strict geometric principles in the manner of Versailles, and was the location of the first attempted assassination of a Tsar. The most famous aspect of this city garden is the large collection of statues, the oldest in Russia, which comprises more than 80 statues including those by Italian greats like Boratta and Bozzazza. In summer the garden is a popular location for weddings and private functions. This park is more popular with mature visitors as there are no real facilities available for children save the fountains and coffee/tea house. St. Petersburg is generally agreed to be a fairly safe city, but you should still be aware of pickpockets whilst walking through the statue-lined paths.

Written by  Vikkie Chapman.

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