Story. History Where is the Mikhailovsky Garden

A unique example of early Russian Art Nouveau in St. Petersburg:

Forged fence of the Mikhailovsky Garden near the Church of the Resurrection on Spilled Blood (Savior on Spilled Blood).

The color photo was taken using a unique technology by the photographer of the last tsar, Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorsky, in 1907, immediately after the installation of the fence (the builders had not yet removed the temporary electrical line).

it is irretrievably lost.

The forged iron fence was made in 1903-1907 at the St. Petersburg art and metalworks factory "Karl Winkler".

The author of the fence is not exactly known. This is probably the author of the Savior on Spilled Blood, architect Parland. Beautiful cylindrical columns are lined with glazed brick in two tones. There are stylized lanterns on the columns, like hats.

Over 80 years, due to the bad climate of St. Petersburg, half of the metal structures were lost and the facing bricks were cracked.

At the end of the “dashing” 90s, a grandiose restoration was carried out (Sponsor - tobacco company J. T. International). The history of the restoration was reminiscent of a detective novel: craftsmen conducted scrupulous research, rediscovering the secrets of old technologies...

Thus, in the archives a negative on silver was found, from which it was established that the monogram of Alexander III and the imperial crown should be placed on the gate (obviously, the monogram and crown were removed in Soviet time for ideological reasons).

Based on the same photographic materials, the lanterns on the pylons and the large forged leaves in the center of the forged gates were restored.

Alexander Borzov‎

Alexander, you said everything correctly. It’s just that this fence was restored by my workshop. Stack LLC - Creative workshop of Gennady Vyunov.

As for the fence project, it’s really not known exactly who drew it.

But the first option was in the sketches. I found it in the archive. It was very simple, not at all like the real thing. The work was actually done by Winkler’s workshop.

Some links have a mark on them. But the most interesting thing is different. The two restored links bear two personal marks side by side. Remember these names - DOBRYANOV and NIKITIN.

Now you can imagine what kind of masters they were if Winkler himself allowed them to stage them

Gennady Vyunov

In winter, the fence is already very impressive

acquires a fantastically unearthly beauty!

Mikhailovsky Garden is one of the rarest landscape monuments architecture XVIII- the first third of the 19th century, representing a unique combination of two different styles of landscape art on the same territory - regular or “French” and landscape or “English”. It is also a striking example of the architectural unity of a building (Mikhailovsky Palace) and the natural landscape (Mikhailovsky Garden), created according to the plans of the great architect Carlo Rossi.

The Mikhailovsky Garden is part of the complex of volumetric-spatial composition of the central part of St. Petersburg, including the Summer Garden and the Field of Mars. Over the long period of its existence, the garden has repeatedly changed its layout in accordance with fashion trends and the tastes of the new owners.

Initially, in the territories of the current Summer and Mikhailovsky Gardens, the garden around the Engineers' Castle and the Engineers' Square, rural settlements were located, as well as the estate and hunting grounds of the Swedish captain Konau - this is evidenced by the plan of 1698. In 1716-1717. architect J.-B. Leblond, commissioned by Peter I, completed the General Plan of Three Summer Gardens. The first and second gardens were located on the territory of the now existing Summer Garden. The third was the garden where the palace of Catherine I was located. The territory on which the Mikhailovsky Garden is now located was part of the third Summer Garden and was called the “Swedish Garden”.

Leblond's plan was, in essence, a project to create a single grandiose palace and park ensemble. Leblon included in it all the plans that were personally approved by Peter the Great. The north-eastern part of the territory, where the palace of Catherine I was located, was the front part. The depiction of the palace in plan almost completely repeats the plan of the central part of the upper chambers of Peter I in Peterhof. Pyramid-trimmed fir trees grew near the palace. An alley of chestnut trees led to a large parterre with a trellis gazebo, a figured pool with a fountain and sculpture. The southwestern half of the garden initially had the layout of a regular fruit garden - the garden of the Russian Imperial Court with a plantation of fruit trees, fragrant herbs, roots, where there were greenhouses, greenhouses, greenhouses and cellars in which various exotic plants and fruits were grown. During the reign of Anna Ioannovna, on the territory of the “Swedish” garden there were areas with “spare” maple trees, i.e. with a nursery. A “jagdgarten” was also set up there - a small hunting area where hares and deer were kept in specially fenced areas for court hunting.

In 1741, Empress Elizabeth Petrovna invited Rastrelli to complete the design of a new Summer Palace on the site of the palace of Catherine I and its garden. In April 1743, Rastrelli presented a design for a labyrinth garden, decorated with sculpture and fountains. Behind the palace, another front area was planned with two figured ponds, a fountain and a patterned lace flower bed. The Swedish Garden has been slightly modified. The territory was divided into geometric sections by the intersection of longitudinal and transverse alleys, and five rectangular ponds were dug in the center. Thus, we can say that the Third Summer and “Swedish” gardens became another example of Russian landscape art XVIII century

By order of Paul I, the palace of Elizabeth Petrovna was demolished, and on its foundation in 1787-1801. Mikhailovsky Castle was built. The territory adjacent to the castle completely includes both gardens - Rastrelli's and the "Swedish". The design of the castle complex included the preservation of two figured ponds with linear planting of trees along their perimeter. In the "Swedish Garden", according to the project, instead of five, four ponds were preserved, which were connected to each other by an underground canal, extended to the western figured pond. Here we should especially note the design of a unique water system of ponds and canals.

Mikhailovsky Castle was built as impregnable fortress with drawbridges, surrounded by water. The canals (Voskresensky, Tserkovny and Obvodny) bordering the castle and the front square in front of it with the equestrian statue of Peter I - grandiose architectural ensemble XVIII century, which has no analogues in world architecture. The Third Summer Garden began to be called the Upper Summer Garden and Mikhailovsky Garden. The layout of the “Swedish” garden and its purpose as an orchard (in the western part) and a walking parade garden (in the eastern part) does not change. Unfortunately, in this form the unique ensemble of the Mikhailovsky Castle existed for a very short time. After the assassination of Paul I, the castle ceased to exist as the residence of the imperial family. The royal family leaves the castle, and the park and canals gradually fall into disrepair. In 1822 the castle was transferred to the Main Engineering School.

In 1819, a new stage in the formation of gardens began. During this period, the architect K.I. made a significant contribution to the transformation of the gardens. Russia. On the site of the old greenhouses adjacent to the Upper Summer Garden from the south, Rossi, by order of Alexander I, is carrying out one of the most large-scale projects - the Mikhailovsky Palace complex for Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, the redevelopment of the Mikhailovsky Garden and the improvement of the square in front of the southern facade of the new palace. This was essentially the last palace ensemble, built within the city. The final project for redevelopment of the garden at the Mikhailovsky Palace, on which Rossi worked together with the architect A. A. Menelas, was approved by the emperor in April 1822.

In 1823, Emperor Alexander I approved Russia's projects to redevelop the area around Mikhailovsky Castle. According to the project, the Church Canal will be filled in and the size of the eastern figured pond in the Mikhailovsky Garden will be reduced. Only the Resurrection Canal remains along the southern façade of the castle. But at the same time, Rossi preserves a unique water system (ponds of the Mikhailovsky Garden - canals of the Mikhailovsky Castle), supplementing it with the construction of an underground collector that connected a large pond with the Moika River, thereby ensuring additional water circulation. Around the Mikhailovsky Castle, according to Rossi’s design, a square of two rows of trimmed trees is planted.

A characteristic feature of the composition of the Mikhailovsky Garden in Rossi’s project was the preservation of the layout of its individual sections according to the designs of Leblon and Rastrelli.

C. Rossi created an exemplary “English” garden, in which all the basic planning techniques of the landscape style, taken from English landscape architecture of 1715-1760, were used with great expressiveness. In front of the garden facade of the Mikhailovsky Palace, Rossi placed a vast meadow of irregular oval shape, framed by an alley and inscribed in a regular layout grid.

Another typical technique for planning an “English” garden is the use of ponds with irregularly defined banks. That is why the architect turned the former geometric pools into picturesque ponds of different sizes, the banks of which he gave winding “natural” shapes, and removed the small rectangular ponds in the center of the garden. Another traditional element of the landscape park appeared in the garden - a pavilion with a pier on the banks of the Moika River. Built on the site of the foundation of the first wooden palace of Catherine I, the pavilion was intended for romantic meetings on summer evenings over a cup of tea or playing cards.

On the territory of the Mikhailovsky Garden there were many flower beds and beautifully flowering shrubs. The most valuable thing that Rossi retained during the redevelopment was the system of alleys, which forms the basis of the composition. The alley plantings were partially preserved and supplemented with picturesque groups of trees. Before the revolution, the garden was a palace garden and was closed to citizens. The further history of the Mikhailovsky Garden is tragic, like the fate of all historical territories.

In 1902, the small eastern pond became shallow and was filled in. At the same time, in connection with the construction of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ according to the design of the architect A. A. Parland and a new garden fence, the West Side garden

In 1922, the garden was renamed the garden of MOPR (International Organization for Assistance to Fighters of the Revolution). The former Mikhailovsky Garden under this “poetic” name acquired the status of an ordinary city park. A transverse path crossed the English meadow; platforms for a stage and pavilions were built, where exhibitions were organized in 1924. Later these areas were replaced with children's playgrounds. In the early 1960s. the construction of a tennis court and a public city toilet was permitted here. During this period, all planting of trees and shrubs was carried out chaotically. The growing trees gradually covered the garden façade of the Mikhailovsky Palace and the perspective from the palace to the Field of Mars. Every year the features of the once magnificent historical landscape changed.

Surveys in 2000 showed that the garden was in critical condition. Work on the reconstruction of the Mikhailovsky Garden was carried out in 2001-2007.

The complete reconstruction project is based on preserving the landscape English style in the center of the garden, and the regular French layout along the perimeter. It made it possible to recreate one of the best gardens in the central part of St. Petersburg and restored the historical significance of the Mikhailovsky Palace - Mikhailovsky Garden complex.

100 great sights of St. Petersburg Myasnikov Sr. Alexander Leonidovich

Mikhailovsky Garden

Mikhailovsky Garden

In its alleys a feeling of something real and authentic is born. And this is no coincidence. This is the only city garden that has preserved the style of the original imperial garden. And this is probably why it is here that the wonderful holiday “Imperial Gardens of Russia” is held annually.

Petersburg gardens and parks appeared immediately after the founding of the city. One of the first was the Summer Garden.

Before the founding of St. Petersburg, the territory of the modern Mikhailovsky Garden was part of the Swedish hunting grounds. And then it became part of the Summer Garden. That first, or Great, Summer Garden stretched from the Neva to the present Nevsky Prospekt.

In 1712, Peter I gave part of the land for the establishment of the residence of his wife, Empress Catherine. On the site where the Rossi pavilion is now located, a small wooden palace, called Golden Mansions.

Fence of the Mikhailovsky Garden

A garden was laid out at the palace, which stretched between the rivers Krivusha (the current Griboyedov Canal) and Erik (Fontanka) almost to the Bolshaya Perspektiva (Nevsky Prospekt). The garden at the Golden Mansions was called Tsaritsyn, or Her Majesty’s Garden. It was then that the name Third Summer Garden was finally assigned to the garden. For this garden, nightingales and other rare birds were brought from the Moscow, Pskov and Novgorod provinces. Fruit trees and berry bushes were planted here in abundance.

Five rectangular ponds were dug to the south of the palace. All kinds of fish were bred in them. To the east, the “mansion” contained cellars with wines and other food supplies.

In 1718, Peter I invited the famous Hanoverian gardener Gaspar Vocht to care for the garden. He worked in the First, Second, and Third Summer Gardens. In addition, he maintained the Apothecary Garden.

On June 24, 1741, construction began in the Second Summer Garden, on the site where the Mikhailovsky Castle is now located. Summer Palace. In 1745, Empress Elizaveta Petrovna settled in the palace. Here, by the way, the future Emperor Pavel I Petrovich was born.

Under Elizaveta Petrovna, the territory of the modern Mikhailovsky Garden was redeveloped. The garden received a regular layout. Trees trimmed into shapes geometric shapes, sculptures were placed along the alleys, figured ponds were dug, flower beds, flower beds and pavilions were arranged. An imperial bathhouse was built on the banks of the Moika. In the center of the garden there were swings, carousels, and slides.

In 1768, the Golden Mansions of Catherine I, by order of Catherine II, were dismantled.

In 1817, large-scale work began on the creation of the ensemble of Mikhailovskaya Square and the construction of the Mikhailovsky Palace. The plan of the architect Karl Ivanovich Rossi included the redevelopment of the entire surrounding area. Including the former Third Summer Garden. Famous architects, artists, and gardeners were involved in landscaping the garden in 1822–1825. While maintaining elements of a regular layout, the garden was given a landscape character. An English meadow was built at the northern façade of the palace. And the rectangular ponds were filled in. On the site of the Golden Choir, Karl Ivanovich Rossi designed a pavilion-pier. Now this is the Rossi Pavilion.

The redesigned and redesigned garden of the palace built by 1825 received a new name - Mikhailovsky.

By 1830, the Garden Fence was extended along the Mikhailovsky Garden. The garden was fenced off from the street with an artistic fence.

The owner of the garden, like the palace, was the wife of Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna. The grand ducal couple organized horseback riding here and celebrated memorable dates and holidays. Among the townspeople, the Mikhailovsky Garden received an unofficial name – Elena Pavlovna’s Garden.

One of the most memorable events in the history of the garden occurred on a warm summer day in 1839. A ball was held in the Mikhailovsky Palace in honor of the wedding of Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna (daughter of Nicholas I) and the Duke of Leuchtenberg. And the Mikhailovsky Garden truly turned into a Garden of Eden. The newspapers wrote: “All the flowers from the Pavlovsk and Oranienbaum greenhouses were brought to the ball on 200 carts and 5 barges, which were driven by a special steamer... Everything in the garden and palace was blooming and fragrant, and such an abundance of rare and multi-colored plants had never been seen... Fantastic illumination shone from the garden with wonderful view to the Field of Mars and the Neva..."

On March 1, 1881, on the embankment of the Catherine Canal, opposite the Mikhailovsky Garden, members of the terrorist organization “People's Will” mortally wounded Emperor Alexander II. On the same day the sovereign died. In memory of this event, the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, better known as the Savior on Spilled Blood, was built here in 1883–1907.

Between the Mikhailovsky Garden and the Cathedral, an artistic Art Nouveau fence appeared, designed by the architect Alfred Aleksandrovich Parland. The semicircular fence was made in 1903–1907 at the enterprise of K. Winkler. Along with the fence of the Summer Garden, it is considered one of the most beautiful in St. Petersburg. After the fence took its place, the policemen who kept order on the streets were charged with ensuring that the loitering public did not damage the forged lace. And the caretakers of the garden had to timely add lubricating oil to the bushings of the openwork gates with the imperial monogram, which opened onto the square from the central alley of the Mikhailovsky Garden.

After the transfer of the Mikhailovsky Palace for the needs of the Museum of Emperor Alexander III (Russian Museum) in 1898, the garden became publicly accessible. True, at the entrance they hung a sign on the gate: “Dogs and soldiers are not allowed to walk.”

In 1900, the territory of the Mikhailovsky Garden was reduced due to the construction of the Ethnographic Museum building.

After the revolution, the Mikhailovsky Garden fell into disrepair.

In 1924 they decided to restore the garden. They cleaned the pond, repaired the fence on the Sadovaya Street side, and planted new trees.

In 1929, a wooden wall was erected in front of the Rossi Pavilion. sculptural composition by A.P. Solovyov. The sculptor called it the “Tree of Freedom”; the sculpture represented a peasant freeing himself from his shackles. In 1939, a sports ground, installed a stage and a toilet. A new path was laid through the garden from west to east.

During the war and the siege of Leningrad, the territory of the Mikhailovsky Garden became a hiding place for many monuments. They were buried on lawns and alleys. Among them, for example, is an equestrian monument to Alexander III. The shells that fell here damaged many trees and created craters in the garden. But the monuments were not damaged.

Restoration work in the Mikhailovsky Garden was carried out in 1949. In 1959, a bust of the sculptor F.I. was installed in the meadow. Shubina.

In 1999, the Mikhailovsky Garden was transferred to the jurisdiction of the State Russian Museum. The next reconstruction of the garden was carried out in 2002–2004. He was again given the features that Karl Ivanovich Rossi outlined. Old and diseased trees were cut down and new ones were planted.

The “Tree of Freedom” and the bust of Shubin were removed, and the previously laid paths were returned.

At the Rossi pavilion, on the banks of the Moika, a bust of the architect was installed, as well as busts of the artists K. Bryullov and A. Ivanov.