Location : ALEXANDROVSKY PARK
Saint Petersburg.
Even after the end of the Northern War in 1721, this section was not built up for a long time.
For the first time, Emperor Alexander I took care of the construction of the park here, commissioning the architect A. Menelas to draw up such a project. However, it was not implemented.
The next initiative to build a park here belongs to the Minister of Finance (1823-1844) Yegor Frantsevich Kankrin. On duty, he often visited the Peter and Paul Fortress, where the Mint is located. In January 1842, Kankrin, during a report to the Tsar, asked permission to set up the park “both to decorate this place and the road to Kamenny Island, and to the benefit of the public.” In response, he was acquainted with the work of Menelas. This project seemed to Kankrin expensive, as it provided for the demolition of Kronverk. The Minister instructed the architect of his department, Anton Matveevich Kutsi, to draw up a new project, in addition, he himself took a direct part in this work.
Already at the next report, drawings, drawings and estimates were provided to Nicholas I. To implement his plan, Kankrin did not ask the emperor for money; the savings of the ministry should have been spent. These funds were not enough for the reconstruction of the entire Glacis, because the project concerned only its eastern part. In February 1842, the project was approved by the emperor.
The new park was transferred to the Mint. The Minister often visited the construction site, personally with the gardener Gusev made a list of the trees, shrubs and grasses needed here. Tradeswoman Otto Kankrin approved the prices and menu of the restaurant that opens here (vodka and liquor for 5-10 cents a glass). It also provided for the establishment of mineral waters. Inside the park, a circular path for riding was held, and a pedestrian path nearby. Arbors, a coffee house, sandboxes for children were installed on the territory. In memory of Emperor Alexander I, the park was called Alexandrovsky.
In August 1847, Nicholas I approved the project for the further development of the Alexander Park, which was to connect with Petrovsky. The works managed to be brought to the banks of the Neva, and the territory beyond Kronverksky Avenue began to be prepared. However, after the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish war and the death of Nicholas I, the project was stopped.
In 1898-1900, at the initiative of the prince of Oldenburg, the building of the former building of the Nizhny Novgorod exhibition – the People’s House (house number 4) was installed in the Alexander Park. In 1903, Alexander Park was cut into two parts by Kamennoostrovsky Prospect, which stretches to the new Trinity Bridge. On May 10, 1911, near the Kamennoostrovsky Avenue, the monument to the destroyer “Steregushchiy” was unveiled.
In 1963, the Gorkovskaya metro station was opened in the Alexander Park.
In 2002-2003, the reconstruction of the Alexander Park was carried out. A pedestrian zone was organized here, 283 new trees and 1974 shrubs were planted, outdated lighting was replaced, fences were updated, lawns were repaired.
Now in the Alexander Park there is a Mini-City, which contains miniature models of city buildings.