A paradise of greenery, sculpture and fountains, the Summer Garden is perfect for a stroll on a summer day. Amble along its well-manicured avenues and follow in the footsteps of Peter the Great himself.
The garden has been part of the city since 1704 and Peter the Great took a personal interest in it, advising on the design. The result is a huge, but very neat and orderly park. When it first opened it was private and the average person of St. Petersburg could not access the garden until a hundred years later. As you wander through note the huge amount of sculptures and spouting fountains, all evidence of the money poured into its construction.
Search out the Summer Palace of Peter the Great in the gardens. This relatively humble building was designed by Domenico Trezzini and was finished in 1714. Peter the Great would retire to behind the peach-colored walls of this two-story building in the summer months. Go inside to see what the rooms would have looked like at the time.
Walk through the paths lined with sculptures inspired by the classical world and you’ll soon come to the rather basic Cabin of Peter the Great. Peter stayed here just after he arrived in what would become St. Petersburg. It is a tiny rustic building that still has many keepsakes that belonged to the ruler. Though it was once wooden, the building is protected by stone today.
Although there is plenty to see in the garden, its fencing also often draws admirers. The Neva fencing was designed by Yury Felten and has an incredible style. Interspersed with slim columns, the railings have the same exactitude as the garden within, using straight lines to make pleasing shapes.
To get to the Summer Garden, take a metro train to the Gostiny Dvor station and walk from there. Entry to the garden itself is free, but there is a charge for some of its attractions once you are inside.