Colonist Park is a landscape park in Peterhof covering an area of 29 hectares. Colonist Park was created according to the project of architect A. I. Stakenschneider during the reign of Nicholas I. A special role in the creation of the park was played by the chief gardener of the Peterhof Palace Administration, Erler. The boundaries of Colonist Park are: to the south — Erler Boulevard, to the east — Borodacheva Street, to the north — the embankment of Olgin Pond, and to the west — Samsonievsky Pond-Canal.

The name "Colonist" Park appeared because the Alexandrian German colony adjoined its southern border. It was relocated to this place in 1833. The colony was named after Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.

By the ratio of spaces occupied by water and land, and by the exceptional role water played in shaping the landscape scenes of Colonist Park, it should be classified as a special and rather rare type of landscape composition, namely, a hydropark. The basis of its compositional structure is Olgin Pond, the banks of which are planted with willows. Understanding that urban development could disrupt the poetic solitude and natural charm of the lake landscape, the creators surrounded the park with peculiar "green" screens or barriers in the form of alleys, group plantings, and ribbon plantings. These living barriers hinder visual connection with the city and thereby help focus visitors' attention on the landscapes inside the park. Colonist Park is one of the parks located along the water conduit. Olgin Pond, dug in 1837–1838, is part of the Peterhof water supply system that supplies water to the fountains of the Lower Park. For a long time, this pond served as a source of drinking water for the city.

Colonist Park appeared as a result of the emperor's desire to beautify the view of Peterhof, becoming a "repository" of two amazing ensembles: Tsaritsyn and Olgin Islands, where pavilions with gardens are located. Thanks to restoration work, these ensembles have been accessible to tourists since 2005 during the summer season (from late May to early October). Diverse in artistic design and emotional impact, they still leave no one indifferent.

Before the park appeared, the site was a Hunting Swamp, home to a variety of game. Shooting was allowed only for members of the imperial family and representatives of the Highest Court. In the early 1830s, plans appeared to drain the swamp, which were realized in 1837. A pond appeared in place of the swamp, named "Olgin" after the emperor's middle daughter — Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna.

Two artificial islands were created on the pond. Nicholas Pavlovich decided to gift the eastern island to his wife, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. This was a gift related to the 25th wedding anniversary of the imperial couple. The work was carried out from 1842 to 1844. A pavilion in the "Pompeian style" was built on the island, a garden with flower beds was laid out, decorated with luxurious flower beds, fountains, and sculptures. The ensemble embodied the empress's dream to see Italy. On August 6, 1844, the imperial family visited the island for the first time, arriving by ferry. Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich wrote in his diary that day: "On Sunday, the sixth, after the service, Papa gave Mama the new Tsaritsyn Island, and on it a Greek house, with a multitude of fountains, a pergola, and various things, which are truly wonderful (but it costs one million two hundred thousand). We had breakfast there..."

The western island was given to Truveller, who built a wooden pavilion and arranged a garden there. Opposite the island, the building of his estate has been preserved. In 1845, Nicholas I decided to buy the island back. Truveller learned about this and expressed a desire to return it free of charge, but the emperor did not accept the gift. It was ordered to appraise the island, which was eventually bought for 3,000 rubles. The island became a gift for Olga Nikolaevna's name day — July 11, 1845. It was decided to build a pavilion and lay out a garden on it. The creation of the new Peterhof structure is connected with the imperial couple's Italian trip. It took place in 1845–1846 and was their first visit to Italy, and for Nicholas I — the only one. The consonance of the name of the grand duchess, called Olli in the family, and the name of the area near Palermo — Ollivuzza, where the empress and her daughter spent some of the happiest months of their lives at Villa Butera, seemed remarkable and not accidental. The new pavilion was initially called the "Italian house" or "Ollivuzza"; the name "Olgin" came later, and the island in the family was called "Palermo." It was in Italy that the question of Olga Nikolaevna's marriage to the heir prince Karl of Württemberg was decided. The pavilion construction continued from 1846 to 1848.

In 1845, an artificial hill appeared on the southern side of the pond, around which 15 oaks were planted. At the top, a cast-iron bench made in Berd's workshop was placed. After some time, a galvanoplastic copy of Stawasser's sculpture "Nymph and Satyr," painted black, was installed in place of the bench. For guests and residents of Peterhof, the sculpture was associated with a devil, and the elevation was called "Devil's Hill." The sculpture was thrown down several times, so eventually it was moved to the foot of the "Chess Mountain" cascade. In 1845, another small pond was dug, and a small island was created. On it, gardener Erler released 15 pairs of rabbits. Olgin Pond was also decorated with sculpture. A galvanoplastic copy painted white of Stawasser's sculpture "Mermaid" was placed in the water between the islands. Unfortunately, this sculpture has not survived. Another sculpture was located on the western side of Olgin Pavilion — a copy of Klimchenko's work "Narcissus."

Ferry crossings were arranged to Tsaritsyn and Olgin Islands. It was also possible to reach the islands by boats and gondolas, which further enhanced their romantic isolation. The islands served as a place of solitude for the imperial couple, where breakfasts and afternoon teas were held. Sometimes receptions were held, inviting representatives of the imperial court, foreign envoys, and foreign relatives of the imperial family. The ensembles were included in the program of illumination festivals. The tradition of celebrations on the islands, established by Nicholas I, was continued by his successors. In the second half of the 19th century, six grand celebrations were held in Colonist Park in honor of the birthdays of empresses and visits of high guests. These celebrations were held in honor of King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway, King Umberto of Piedmont, King Christian of Denmark, King Carol I of Romania, King George of Greece, and Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany. Temporary "air" theaters were built on Olgin Island each time. A limited circle of people was invited — ambassadors and envoys with families, members of the retinue, officers of regiments stationed in Krasnoye Selo and Peterhof, totaling 300 to 400 people. Ballet performances lasted 40–50 minutes. Then guests rode on illuminated boats, and on Tsaritsyn Island, refreshments were arranged for them, and music played. The islands, pavilions, pond, and park, illuminated by hundreds of thousands of lights, turned into a fiery decoration.

The Inner Garden is distinguished by special originality. Historically, exotic plants uncharacteristic for the northern climate were placed there. In the 19th century, a greenhouse was arranged annually on the site of the garden to preserve them. Under the stone slabs, a conserved stove used once for heating is still preserved. The garden is decorated with marble statues and busts. The murmur of water from two fountains gives this corner an idealistic mood. From the garden, on the western side, one can reach the terrace, in the corner of which is the sculpture "Sleeping Venus" by Italian master Baruzzi. It once stood near the Pink Pavilion of the Meadow Park but was moved to Tsaritsyn Island after the revolution and miraculously survived during the Great Patriotic War. The Inner Garden is connected to the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna's Own Garden by a long pergola entwined with grapes. In the pergola is one of the island's best sculptures by Russian master Pimenov, "The Beggar" or "Boy Asking for Alms."

The Empress's Own Garden is designed as a parterre of regular geometric shape, resembling a bright multicolored carpet. The scents of roses remind of the island's mistress, who was called the "White Rose." Alexandra Feodorovna considered this flower her symbol, which best reflected her romantic, shy, and partly misunderstood nature by many contemporaries, a soul, as Zhukovsky put it, "pure, simple, filled with deep feeling." In the center of Alexandra Feodorovna's Own Garden stands a Corinthian column made of white and blue matte glass tubes. Made to order by King Frederick William IV of Prussia and architect Hesse, three columns became royal gifts to the wife, sister, and cousin. The column presented to the wife, Queen Elisabeth Ludovika, was installed in the private royal garden of Marly in Potsdam. The column sent to Bavaria to cousin Maria, wife of King Maximilian II of Bavaria, took its place in the center of the garden on Rose Island. In 1854, the third column was delivered to Peterhof — a gift to the beloved sister, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, for her birthday. The "crystal" columns emphasized the unity of the three gardens, three images of paradise for their owners. The columns shared a common and further fate. They perished during World War II but were revived in 1999–2001 thanks to the initiative and efforts of Munich architect Jutta Krivitz and sponsors' funds. Another characteristic detail of the garden on the island is the "ruin." For its creation, the architect used parts from the dismantled St. Isaac's Cathedral by Rinaldi, on the site of which Montferrand built a new cathedral: these are fragments of marble columns and giant capitals. The central place in the composition is occupied by the torso from the statue "Religion" (1718–1719) by Antonio Corradini.

The eastern facade corresponds to the landscape part of the garden. This part of the garden is arranged without any regularity — only winding paths. Near their turns, at junctions, groups of shrubs and trees are placed. In the eastern part of the island grows the famous Washington oak, planted personally by Emperor Nicholas I in 1842. The acorn was brought from the grave of the American president from the Mount Vernon estate. By Alexandra Feodorovna's order, after her husband's death in 1855, a gilded basket was arranged near the oak, and forget-me-nots and pansies — flowers of memory and love of the spouses — were planted.

One of the paths frames the island, sometimes approaching the water, sometimes moving away from it, allowing admiration of the ensemble from different points. The effectiveness, completeness, and expressiveness of all views are created by the precise ratio of the island's size, pavilion, pond, and tower height. In the artistic appearance of Tsaritsyn Island with the pavilion, everything was of great importance; it was conceived as a single complex that could not be deprived of any component.

The western island, bought back from Truveller, is a gift from Nicholas I to his middle daughter — Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna — for her wedding day with Karl of Württemberg. The pavilion and garden project was developed by Stakenschneider.

A landscape park with winding paths and freely arranged flower beds was laid out near the pavilion. To arrange flower beds, borders, and a flower garden, "black soil" was brought to the island. The path ran along the shore, following its contours, closing near the pavilion standing at the edge of the island. Along the paths on both sides, "English strawberries" were planted, as well as strawberries, raspberries, and currants. Climbing plants were planted near the pavilion and on its upper platform.

The garden on Olgin Island differs from the garden on Tsaritsyn Island, yet at the same time forms a single whole with the entire ensemble of Colonist Park. Freely planted groups of trees and bushes, extensive green lawns, winding paths, willow branches hanging over the water, and freely "scattered" flower beds created a romantic mood and reminded of Elysium, Julia's garden in Jean-Jacques Rousseau's novel "Julie, or the New Heloise." The author of the novel noted that Julia's garden reflected, to some extent, the woman's inner world, free from mental turmoil. Perhaps the garden on Olgin Island was a kind of wish and farewell to the daughter, who was getting married and leaving her homeland.

In the center of the meadow stands the sculpture "Venus Removing Her Sandal," a copy of a work by Vitali (1794–1854). Also in the garden are two marble benches by an unknown master, made according to Stakenschneider's drawing. In honor of the creator of Colonist Park, a bust of the architect (a modern copy of the 1852 plaster original by Rumyantsev) has been displayed on the island since 2005. The bronze portrait of Stakenschneider, installed on the lawn in front of the eastern facade of Olgin Pavilion, is the only monument to the outstanding architect of the historicism era, creator, in particular, of the ensembles of Tsaritsyn and Olgin Islands.

The image of paradise is perfectly complemented by "paradise birds." Currently, peacocks, golden roosters, and blue pheasants are kept on Olgin Island. Previously, the island could be reached by ferry and by boats and gondolas. As a reminder of this, a real Venetian gondola is displayed on the island. It was a gift from the city of Venice to St. Petersburg on the 300th anniversary of the city's founding.

Gradually, since the reign of Nicholas I, a tradition began to develop of holding celebrations in Colonist and Meadow Parks. At first, these were places for afternoon teas and breakfasts, but gradually unique events began to be held here. It all started in 1846 — the year of Olga Nikolaevna's wedding. Then, for the first time, a new type of illumination was arranged on the islands using more than 50,000 colored lanterns modeled after those the emperor had seen in the Lazienki — his residence in Warsaw. The following year, the emperor wished to repeat this wonderful celebration, which happened. Another illumination in the new parks took place in 1851. Nicholas Pavlovich actively participated in everything: from choosing figures to developing the guests' route. The event was organized in honor of Olga Nikolaevna's name day, who was visiting her relatives that year.

Besides illumination, under Nicholas Pavlovich, a tradition of theatrical performances on the water was established in Peterhof. At first, such performances were organized near the "Ozerki" pavilion. It is known that in August 1850, architect Benois was ordered to prepare an estimate for the construction cost of an "antique theater," similar to the theater in Lazienki, created under Stanisław August Poniatowski. The monarch's desire may have been influenced by Italian impressions, as during the trip he saw antique theaters. The estimate was prepared, but the idea was not realized.

The tradition of celebrations on the islands, established by Nicholas I, was continued by his successors. In the second half of the 19th century, six grand celebrations were held in Colonist Park in honor of the birthdays of empresses and visits of high guests. These celebrations were held in honor of King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway, King Umberto of Piedmont, King Christian of Denmark, King Carol I of Romania, King George of Greece, and Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany. Many famous artists of the imperial ballet participated in these performances, including Kschessinskaya and Karsavina.

Sources:

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Колонистский_парк