Eastern sage Wen Zhengheng said: “One boulder must reveal the beauty of a thousand peaks.” Such a magnificent boulder can be found in Monrepo Park. A path leading to it branches off to the right from the entrance gates. On this stone Gulliver, there once was a viewing platform. A wooden staircase led to the platform, and its decoration was a wooden pavilion called the “Chinese Umbrella,” under which benches were installed. There, one could rest, take shelter from the sun on hot days, and survey the park’s surroundings from above. From there, an excellent view opened not only onto the estate itself but also the city and even the Vyborg Castle.

This “Chinese Umbrella” was Paul Nikolai’s first construction in Monrepo, a surprise for his father. Ludwig wrote in August 1798: “Already upon entering, I was pleasantly struck by your Chinese mushroom on the big stone. It is a good, skillfully executed idea.” After the 1870s, the “Chinese Umbrella” is no longer mentioned in sources.

The Chinese Umbrella on the big stone has long been gone, and the Vyborg Castle is unlikely to be visible from this platform anymore. But the Boulder (capitalized like that!) remains a wonderful landmark for all people approaching or arriving at Monrepo. And the path, which literally ends at the giant stone, still leads travelers to the Stupishinskaya Alley of the park.

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