Imperial Parks of Petersburg: The Summer Garden

For Browsing

The Summer Garden was originally created as a summer royal residence, and a part of the Usaditsa Island was allocated for its arrangement: Peter I chose a settled and advantageously located estate on the site where the property of Swedish Major Erich Berndt von Konow (Konau) was located — a small house with a farmyard and a garden. At that time, this part of the island served a transportation function (lost with the construction of the Bolshaya Perspektivnaya Road). In Peter's time, it was a place for court festivities, assemblies, and receptions; from the mid-18th century, the garden was used for aristocratic walks and even horseback riding. In the 19th century, it became a public garden. Today, it houses a museum and exhibition complex.

Jermaine

Swedish Summer Garden

Summer Garden, Embankment of Lebyazhya Kanavka, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191186

Petersburg and Ingria: Swedish Influence and Legacy

Imperial Parks of Petersburg: The Summer Garden

In 1638, Swedish Queen Christina gifted the merchant Bernhard Steen von Steenhausen extensive lands in the lower reaches of the Neva, on its left bank. Swedish researchers established that after Bernhard's death in 1648 or 1649, the estate passed to his daughter Maria-Elisabeth, who married Joachim von Konau, a German immigrant. In 1662, their son Erich-Berndt von Konau inherited the estate. At the age of 20, he left service in the Swedish navy and settled on his estate, where, according to researchers, he created a garden "in the Dutch style."

Jermaine

The Summer Garden Grille is one of the wonders of the world.

1 Summer Garden St., Saint Petersburg, Leningrad Region, Russia, 191186

Petersburg: Stories, Legends, and Myths

Imperial Parks of Petersburg: The Summer Garden

The poet K. N. Batyushkov wrote: "Look at the fence of the Summer Garden, which is reflected by the greenery of tall lindens, elms, and oaks! What lightness and what elegance in its design. In 1824, the scholar D. I. Sokolov noted that 'the embankments of Petersburg and the fence of the Summer Garden can be counted among the wonders of the world!'"

Jermaine

Samoyed King

Dvortsovaya Embankment, 2E, Saint Petersburg, Leningrad Region, Russia, 191186

Petersburg: Stories, Legends, and Myths

Petersburg: Great Names

Petersburg: Jews

Imperial Parks of Petersburg: The Summer Garden

He helped Peter I shave the beards of the boyars, became a king, and was exiled.

Jermaine

Summer Palace of Peter I

Building A, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191186

Petersburg: Unusual and Interesting Houses

Great Architects: Domenico Trezzini

Imperial Parks of Petersburg: The Summer Garden

Petersburg: Palaces and Their Fates

For the construction of his summer residence, Peter I chose a well-established and advantageously located estate on the cape between the Neva and the Nameless Channel (now the Fontanka River), where the property of Swedish Major E. B. von Konow (Konau) was situated – a small house with a farmyard and a garden. In August 1710, by Peter’s order, construction of a stone building began on the site of the former house, following the design of architect Domenico Trezzini. In 1713–1714, work was carried out on the interior and exterior decoration of the building, in which architect and sculptor Andreas Schlüter may have participated.

Jermaine

Coffee House of the Summer Garden

Letniy Sad St., 3, Saint Petersburg, Leningradskaya, Russia, 191186

Imperial Parks of Petersburg: The Summer Garden

The Coffee House is a small elegant pavilion in the classical style, rightfully considered one of the finest adornments of the famous Summer Garden. Once, a grotto stood in its place, built according to the design of architect A. Schlüter. The grotto was a true work of art; its walls were decorated with seashells and columns, and in the center stood a fountain with a statue of Neptune.

Jermaine

Tea House in the Summer Garden

Palace Embankment, 2, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191186

Imperial Parks of Petersburg: The Summer Garden

A small wooden park pavilion called the "Tea House," built according to the design of architect L. I. Sharleman in the neoclassical style, consists of two rectangular rooms connected by a Doric order colonnade. The rooms were used as storage spaces, while the open central section served as a shelter from the rain for garden visitors.

Jermaine

Porphyry Vase in the Summer Garden

First Engineering Bridge, Pestelya Street, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191023

Petersburg and Ingria: Swedish Influence and Legacy

Imperial Parks of Petersburg: The Summer Garden

A gift to Emperor Nicholas I from King Charles XIV of Sweden as a token of goodwill after numerous wars between Russia and Sweden.

Jermaine