Upper and Lower Dutch Gardens

The Upper and Lower Dutch Gardens, featuring a formal layout, were created in 1794-1795. They are separated from the Palace Park by the Karpin Pond with a canal. They are called Dutch because flower beds were planted in this part of the park, and in the eyes of 18th-century contemporaries, Holland was considered the trendsetter in the art of flower cultivation. The marble sculpture looked especially festive against this colorful background. This is a complex of gardens located next to the palace and having a formal layout. The Lower Dutch Garden was decorated with sculptures and designed as a large lawn intersected by several straight paths. From the Lower Dutch Garden, several stone staircases lead to the Upper Garden. The Upper Garden is planted with trees, between which straight alleys are laid out. The compositional center of the garden is a platform where a marble statue of Athena was installed. Next to the Upper Dutch Garden is the Linden Garden, separated by a narrow canal. The Linden Garden has an elongated shape and borders Krasnoarmeysky Avenue.

The formal gardens were intended for showing guests, leisurely walks, and holding celebrations; their clear layout, symmetry, and neatness made them seem like an extension of the palace chambers in the open air.

Sources:

https://gatchinapalace.ru/park/attractions/upper_and_lower_dutch_gardens.php

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Дворцовый_парк_(Гатчина)#Нижний_и_Верхний_Голландские_сады