Alexander Garden

Before the garden existed, this was open military ground. When the Admiralty fortress and shipyard was founded in 1704, a glacis was laid out in front: an open strip kept clear for the fortress artillery. After the Admiralty lost its defensive role, the ground became Admiralty Meadow; part of it held a Sea Market from about 1712 to 1717. In 1721, a plan was laid out for three main roads radiating from the Admiralty, and Swedish prisoners planted a birch avenue leading to Nevsky Prospect. After the fortifications were removed, a boulevard took shape: the canal was filled in in 1817, and a lime-tree avenue was laid out in 1819. Botanist Eduard Regel designed the city garden, and by its opening on 8 July 1874, 5,260 trees and 12,640 shrubs of 52 species had been planted. Alexander II planted an oak beside the portal of St Isaac’s Cathedral; it is still marked as a tree planted by the emperor. During construction of the fountain in 1876, workers uncovered the buried course of the old fortress moat. In 1923, architect Ivan Fomin cut clearings through the garden, continuing the alignments of the three city thoroughfares.

Birds recorded nearby include rock pigeon, hooded crow, house sparrow, mallard and great tit.