How to get to Elagin Island? There are many ways, but this is not the main thing. Why do you need to go there, that is the question. And Elagin Island in St. Petersburg is attractive to many. Let's start from the beginning.

Let's start with amazing landscapes

The natural beauty of Elagin Island is due to the peculiarity of its location. It is located in the Neva delta, near its very mouth. On both sides it is washed by the Neva branches: the Bolshaya and Middle Nevka, and on the seaside side - Gulf of Finland Baltic Sea.

Since ancient times, the coastal lands were low and marshy. Elagin Island is no exception. Over time, its territory, like others, was drained. As for the natural vegetation, it was previously represented by conifers, but over time, “exotics” - broad-leaved trees and various shrubs - began to be planted here. It is believed that the very first “exotic” trees were planted here under Peter I himself - oaks. Now there's variety flora The islands are very large. I would especially like to mention those places coastline along a network of inland water channels, where willows bend over the water, forming natural silver arbors.

Formed over time on Elagin Island park ensemble Every year in the spring and summer it is supplemented with fields and flower beds of various flowers. The period when the tulip festival comes to Elagin Island is especially noteworthy. And this is truly a holiday! First of all, for the eyes and soul. It is impossible to remain indifferent to such beauty!

Elaginoostrovsky "zoo"

Natural animal world Elagin Island in St. Petersburg is represented by a wide range of different types fauna: fearless squirrels scurry back and forth along the paths and trees - red and blue, field and house mice, shrew and shrew, weasel and ermine; you can see a muskrat in the water. In the bird kingdom, in addition to the usual city “residents” - pigeons, crows, tits, sparrows, ducks, there are also migratory birds - chaffinch, nuthatch, blue tit, gray flycatcher, thrush, rook, nightingale, wagtail, woodpecker, duckling, mallard. In warm weather there are quite a large number of insects near the water.

Thanks to man, a small zoo was founded in the Elaginoostrovsky corner of St. Petersburg, where in aviary cages you can see: a black raven, a variety of chickens, pheasants, running ducks, mute swans, geese, reindeer, a Cameroon goat, the fox Alice, and a pet donkey Camilla and the sheep Masha.

It was located in the historical part of the park, on the site of a 19th-century farm, and from 2005 to 2010 it hosted zoological themed exhibitions. The mini-zoo has its own name - “Zoosphere” and is an interactive educational project, within the framework of which the Animal Trail is laid out.

A little history

Elagin Island in St. Petersburg in ancient times, when it was still inhabited by Finno-Ugric tribes, had a Finnish name. In many sources it is given as "mistula saari". However, the proposed meaning of this toponym as “bearish” or “black” does not correspond to the translation from. The version “black island” can be considered closest in sound and spelling, only in this case its Finnish name will not be “mistula”, but “mystu”. Let's take it for starting point that the original Finnish name of the island was “Mistu-saari” - “Black Island”. According to legends, the guardsmen of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, at the beginning of Peter I’s exploration of these lands, called the island “Mishin”, since bears lived here.

Peter I, rebuilding new territories as European city Russia, in the conditions of the Northern War, was very strapped for funds, and therefore gave away lands in the vicinity of the new city to his associates, but on the condition that they would drain and improve them at their own expense. Elagin Island was donated to P.P. Shafirov. Over the entire 18th century, nine owners replaced each other here: P. Ya. Yaguzhinsky, A. P. Melgunov, G. A. Potemkin, I. P. Elagin, G. V. Orlov and others.

The greatest contribution to the formation of the Elagino Island ensemble was made by I. P. Elagin, in whose honor this territory would later be named.

In the 19th century, the estate was bought in favor of the state by Emperor Alexander I and for a century was considered one of the favorite suburban residences of the Romanovs. And how to get to Elagin Island was not a question for the previous owners - of course, by water.

Architectural ensemble

Elagin Island is quite large. To explore its architectural sights, of course, you can walk to them through the beautiful park. And if you are limited in time, how to get to Elagin Island so as to immediately get to it historical heart? Don’t get your hopes up, the palace and park buildings of the ensemble are grouped so that you still need to walk to get to them, but the shortest way is: from the Krestovsky Ostrov metro station, enter through main entrance in the Central Park of Culture and Culture and by going to wooden bridge, go either along the embankment to the right or follow the sign right through the park alley.

And here in front of you is a complex of surprisingly slender and laconic buildings in the “antique” style. Only one master could build this way - the architect of St. Petersburg, Karl Ivanovich Rossi. The center of the entire composition is the Elaginoostrovsky Palace. In addition, the ensemble included the Armory, Kitchen and Stable buildings, Music pavilion, Greenhouse, Pavilion with granite pier.

Central Park of Culture and Culture yesterday

In this case, yesterday is a very relative concept. More like in the past tense. Why CPKiO? This is what Elaginoostrovsky Park was called in Soviet times, and this name meant culture and recreation. And even now the old name is used among the townspeople.

After the 1917 revolution, the estate was nationalized. And in 1932, a city park was opened in it, which two years after the opening would be named in honor of the Leningrad political figure Sergei Mironovich Kirov. The park quickly became a place popular among Leningraders, not only because of its beauty, but also because of the abundance of leisure areas: sports, children's and dance areas, various club associations, chess and checkers tournaments, attractions and the possibility of boating.

In the post-war period, in its first decade, the ensemble was revived practically from ruins, and then again returned to the city as a place active rest Leningraders. And a recreation center was opened in the palace. During this time the park and architectural ensemble heavily damaged by vandalism. And only from the late 1980s did the Elaginoostrovsky ensemble begin its true revival.

Leisure center today

The revival of the historical estate began with the opening of the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts and Interior in the restored palace building. Over time, the palace began to organize interactive educational programs that were popular among the townspeople, mainly for children and teenagers. And for adults, fascinating excursions are offered both around the palace itself and interesting thematic routes throughout the palace and park ensemble. Various exhibitions and festivals are regularly held here, evenings are organized for those for whom..., there are dance, children's and sports grounds, rope park and hiking trail, as well as traditional boating and catamaran rides. Every year in June for the past seven years, street theaters on Elagin Island present their work as part of the annual international festival. In the summer, musical evenings and concerts are held in the Music Pavilion.

Here is another route for those who are looking for how to get to Elagin Island: from the metro station " Old village"walk along to Primorsky Prospekt and cross the nearby bridge. And then - wherever your heart desires!

Pyotr Arkadyevich lived on Elagin Island with his family in the summer from 1907 to 1911 at the invitation of Nicholas II. The island in the Neva delta became the royal residence in 1816. The first mentions of the island in Russian written sources date back to the first half of the 18th century, when it was called Misha Island. Mishin may have been consonant with the Finnish name Mistulansaari.

The island began to be “inhabited” on the initiative of Peter I. In the 18th century, the island often changed owners, one of them was Prince Grigory Potemkin, who sold the island to Ivan Perfilyevich Elagin. In 1786, a palace was built on the island and an English park with ponds and canals was laid out, at which time the name Elagin Island was established. The park on the island was opened to public visits for the first time.

In 1817, by decree of Emperor Alexander I, Elagin island was purchased by the treasury. Alexander I wished to create a residence on the island for his mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. A commission was created to rebuild the palace on the island, and the project was entrusted to the architect Carlo Rossi. He completely rebuilt I.P.’s house. Elagin, leaving only strong external walls, giving the new palace features of the Empire style. The powerful rotunda in the center of the building was complemented on both sides by side porticoes with pediments and columns of the Corinthian order. The western façade was decorated by C. Rossi with a portico with six columns.

In 1822 the palace was ready, at the beginning of summer from the pier opposite Winter Palace For the first time, Alexander I took his mother and her retinue by boat to a newly built country residence. Rossi met the imperial steamer on the Granite pier of the island and organized a ceremonial display of his creation, which Maria Feodorovna liked. In addition to the palace, the architect built the “Pavilion under the Flag,” a semicircular rotunda in the shape of an ancient temple, a kitchen pavilion decorated with niches with statues of ancient gods, and a music pavilion. For K. Rossi, this project became a real victory and elevated him to the heights of world fame.

After the death of Maria Feodorovna, the palace served as the summer residence of the Romanovs. The interiors of the palace are remembered by the guests and owners of Elagin Island, Maria Stolypina recalls: “Despite its large size, the Elagin Palace turned out to be very cozy, and without spending a week in it, we began to feel as if this house had been familiar and dear to us for years. Downstairs there is a very beautiful oval hall with choirs, living rooms, an office and a reception room for the pope, as well as two always locked rooms in which Alexander III used to live. Upstairs there is a small living room and all the bedrooms, as well as a house church and two rooms for visitors.”

Palace from the 20th century

Like other royal estates, after the 1917 revolution the palace came under the jurisdiction of the Petrograd Council of People's Commissars. Until 1929, the palace housed a museum of history and life, then an institute of plant growing. In 1932, a cultural and recreation park was organized on the island, which in 1934 began to bear the name of S.M. Kirov, champion of the traditions of the Russian nobility. During the war, at the beginning of 1942, a fire started in the palace, in which the unique interiors of C. Rossi were destroyed. Restoration of the complex took place from 1952 to 1960, after which it served as a holiday home for Soviet citizens. Fortunately, in 1987, the Elagin Palace was given the status. On the ground floor, the empire interiors of C. Rossi were recreated.

The picturesque island of St. Petersburg, on the territory of which the Central Park of Culture and Recreation is located. Kirov, is perfect place for leisurely walks in nature. What to see on Elagin Island - read the material of the portal “ZagraNitsa”

Elagin Palace

One of the imperial palaces of the Northern capital is the main attraction of Elagin Island. It received its name in honor of its first owner, Ivan Elagin. Who built the house in the Palladian style is a mystery, but some historians believe that it was G. Quarenghi. At the beginning of the 19th century, Alexander I bought the entire island for his mother and commissioned the reconstruction of the summer palace by K. Rossi. A talented architect gave the building its modern appearance.


Photo: shutterstock 2

Museum of Art Glass

The unique Museum of Art Glass is located in the Orangery building of the Elaginoostrovsky ensemble. Most of the collection is products of the Leningrad Glass Factory. It is represented by the most amazing works of glassblowers from the 1940s to the 1990s. Today, the modern exhibition space of the museum houses more than 700 glass and crystal art pieces. There is also a souvenir shop, open every day except Monday and Tuesday.


Photo: kudago.com
Photo: vazaspb.ru

Kitchen building

The kitchen building, located not far from the palace, got its name because at one time it housed a kitchen. The eastern facade of the semicircular two-story building is decorated with a portico with decorative vases in niches, and on the southern façade there are fourteen sculptures of ancient gods and heroes by S. Pimenov. A six-column portico of the Doric order with massive gates is located in the central part of the facade. It is interesting that all the windows of the kitchen building face the courtyard, and the building itself is made so that the sun's rays never touch the room in which food was stored and prepared. Today, the funds of the Elaginoostrovsky Palace Museum are located here.


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Stable building

The two-story horseshoe-shaped stable building consists of a main facade with propylaea that connects two symmetrical wings. In past times, the aide-de-camp and retinue of the empress were located here. The building also housed stable officers, chamberlain Cossacks and grooms, stored hay and grain, and housed stalls for horses and carriages. Despite this purpose of the premises, the stable building represents a unique beautiful decoration that has survived to this day. Here are exhibition halls Elaginoostrovsky Palace-Museum.


Photo: fotokto.ru 5

Pavilion under the flag

A small pavilion with a flagpole can be found in the picturesque eastern part of the island near the granite pier. C. Rossi also worked on its creation, changing the layout of the park gazebo located here, but at the same time maintaining its basic appearance. The building looks like a small one antique temple and is a rectangular building with an open rotunda. The building is called the “flag pavilion” because the imperial flag was raised above its dome when the royal family honored the island with their visit.


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Music pavilion

The music pavilion is located along the embankment of the Srednyaya Nevka River. It consists of two symmetrical rooms and an elegant open semi-rotunda with a marble colonnade. The music pavilion building, built in 1824-1826, was rebuilt several times until, during the reconstruction of the 1980s, it was restored to its original form. A wonderful view of the Old English Garden can be seen behind the pavilion.


Photo: vikni.livejournal.com

butter meadow

The green carpet of Butter Meadow was used as a platform for all kinds of festivities back in the 18th century. During the time of Elagin, this place turned into a parterre garden with many flowers. Architects Carl Rossi and Joseph Busch Jr. decided to completely change the regular layout and turn the territory of the Butter Meadow into a spacious field with free, smooth contours.

Questions have arisen:

Who called the pavilion “Milovida” and when?

There is no such thing as an imperial flag; there may be an imperial standard, but it was flown only on ships and (in the palace version) above the palace where the emperor resided. The pavilion does not fall into these categories. It is well known that St. Andrew's flag was raised over it.

On the eastern spit of the Elagin Island, where the Bolshaya and Middle Nevkas diverge, after restoration, the “Pavilion under the Flag” was opened - one of the earliest works of Carl Rossi.
The granite jetty pavilion with access to the water is located in a relatively unknown part of the park; its main façade faces directly onto the Ushakovsky Bridge. This building is decidedly not similar to the empire-style buildings of Russia: rather, it is a style designated by Igor Grabar as “strict classicism.” This is Russian Palladianism: Quarenghi, Starov, Cameron: a rectangular volume and a semicircular colonnade. A six-column open semi-rotunda overlooks the turnout, under the roof of which there is a surprisingly ringing echo. The façade facing the park is framed by eight Doric colonnades.
The Pavilion has a vestibule and two small rooms symmetrical to it. The Elagin Palace ensemble was built by Rossi in 1818-1822 for the widowed (after the death of Paul I) Empress Maria Feodorovna. By this time, the porphyry-bearing widow - already a middle-aged woman of sixty - was reluctant to drag herself to her main country residences - Pavlovsk and Gatchina. She spent the winters in the Anichkov Palace, and in the summer she went to Elagin. The “Pavilion under the Flag” was the actual pier building; the islands were usually reached by water. St. Andrew's flag was raised on the roof just when Maria Feodorovna was moving to Elagin Island. Here one could have a meal with the courtiers and family; here the empress painted, embroidered, and carved bones on rainy days. After the death of Maria Feodorovna, Nicholas I lived on the island, and in the second half of the 19th century it remained a reserve residence; the grand dukes stayed here and the crowned guests of the Romanovs stayed. Since 1906, the Elagin Palace became the residence of prime ministers: so the restored pavilion remembers Sergei Witte, Pyotr Stolypin, Ivan Goremykin.
The biggest mystery of the “Pavilion under the Flag” is the perfectly preserved basement of the 18th century discovered during the restoration. It appeared under Ivan Elagin, who owned the island from the 1770s to 1807. Apparently, already under him there was a certain building on this place, which Rossi rebuilt. Meanwhile, Ivan Porfiryevich Elagin, a favorite of Catherine II, a statesman, theatergoer, writer, collector of ancient Russian literature, was also the head of Russian Freemasonry. He created a whole system of so-called Elagin lodges. They were famous for their openness; their meetings were accompanied by music playing. When the Freemasons were subjected to repression in the 1790s, Elagin and his comrades continued to gather quietly.
A version appeared in the media: the basement is nothing more than a room where a Masonic lodge met under the leadership of Ivan Elagin. And the dungeon was connected through secret passages to the Elagin Palace and Stone Island. This is, of course, nonsense. Firstly, the height of the basement - about one and a half meters - does not allow a person of even average height to be here freely. Secondly, the Freemasons were not like the friends of Gaidar’s Timur, whose team, as is known, gathered in a specially equipped attic. The Freemasons met in palace drawing rooms, not in the dungeons of Gothic novels. None underground passages the restorers did not find it. However, the purpose of the basement is really not clear (pantry? wine cellar? torture chamber?). The Rossiyev pavilion, restored with English money, is mysterious in itself, without the Freemasons.
LEV LURIE They dug up a basement under the flag // Newspaper "Kommersant St. Petersburg", No. 120 (2489), 07/12/2002

In St. Petersburg on Wednesday, after restoration, the “Pavilion under the Flag” opened, located in the eastern part of Elagin Island. During the restoration, a cellar was discovered in the basement of the pavilion, in which Count Cagliostro supposedly worked.

In St. Petersburg, the “Pavilion under the Flag”, located in the eastern part of Elagin Island, reopened on Wednesday.

The “Pavilion under the Flag” is part of the palace and park ensemble, which was erected according to the design of Karl Rossi in 1812-1822 after the order of Emperor Alexander I for his mother, Empress Maria Feodorovna, widow of Paul I. It is believed that Empress Maria Feodorovna came to Elagin Island every summer, and for each of her visits the Russian flag was raised at the pavilion.

In addition to this pavilion, on Elagin Island there are other famous works of Karl Rossi - the Great Greenhouse, the Kitchen and Stable Buildings of the Elagin Island Palace, and the Music Pavilion. The total area occupied by the external State Elaginsky Palace-Museum is 4511 square meters. meters.

The building has not been restored since its creation. During the work, filled-in basements with vaulted ceilings were discovered. Rumor has it that the room is very reminiscent of a Masonic lodge. According to some stated versions, the dungeon is leading to the palace of the chief chamberlain of the imperial court, Ivan Perfilyevich Elagin.

Scientists suggest that Rossi erected a pavilion on the site of an old building, built by order of one of the owners of the island, the chief chamberlain of Catherine the Second, Ivan Elagin. It is believed that Elagin was a famous freemason in Russia, and acquired the island now called after him specifically for the study of occult sciences. By the way, it was at the invitation of Ivan Elagin that Count Cagliostro visited St. Petersburg at one time.

The visit of the famous count is described in detail in Ivan Lukash’s book “Count Cagliostro on Elagin Island,” which is believed to have been written from the words of the sister of Elagin’s secretary. According to this story, Count Cagliostro conducted his experiments in a room around which the four elements raged - air, water, fire and earth.

According to one version, which is indirectly confirmed by finds in the basement of the “Pavilion under the Flag”, where ceramic vessels and brass knuckles were found, the place of Cagliostro’s “creativity” is precisely this pavilion. You can watch the sunrise above it - this is the element of fire. The building was built in the place where the Neva overflows onto the Malaya and Middle Nevkas - this is the element of water. Well, earth and air are everywhere here.

By the way, one of the legends says that when Cagliostro left Russia, he reported that somewhere on the island a treasure was buried and the manuscripts of Solomon were hidden, as well as the sarcophagus of Homer.

However, theories still remain theories and at the same time beautiful legends. At the same time, it is planned to open a permanent exhibition dedicated to the work of Carl Rossi in the restored pavilion.