The Botanical Garden of Peter the Great in St. Petersburg: history, address and photo

The Botanical Garden of Peter the Great in St. Petersburg is the oldest greenhouse in the country, a museum, and a research station at the same time. Its history dates back more than 300 years. The present appearance of the garden was laid back in the 19th century.

In the greenhouse collected a lot of unique plants from around the world. The Botanical Museum, the only one in the country, stores herbariums and collections, which were collected and brought here by famous scientists and travelers.

The history of the creation and development of the Botanical Garden

The botanical garden was founded on February 11, 1713 by Peter I. At first it was called the Aptekarsky garden, as medicinal plants for pharmacies were grown here. The place for the garden was chosen on the Crow's Island, later this island was renamed into Aptekarsky.

Gradually, the garden expanded, new buildings were built. The Botanical Garden of Peter the Great served as a scientific platform for scientists and researchers, lectures and botany classes were held here. The collection of plants was gradually replenished by scientists-travelers.

Under Alexander the First, the garden was rebuilt and improved. From the Aptekarsky garden, it was renamed the Imperial Botanical Garden. And although here they continued to grow plants for pharmacies, the main task of the garden was scientific activity. In the Garden, classes were held for students, gardeners were trained. The number of plants in the greenhouse reached 15,000.

Under Nicholas I the first scientific activity was carried out in the garden, students were abolished, the cultivation of apothecary herbs was first reduced and then stopped altogether.

In 1913 the garden was renamed the Botanical Garden of Peter the Great.

During the Great Patriotic War, it was almost completely destroyed. The war practically destroyed the Botanical Garden of Peter the Great, the history of which lasted more than 200 years. A lot of plants from the collected works of hard scientists lost. Only a small part was preserved. After the war, the greenhouse was restored, all the buildings were rebuilt, a collection of plants was collected, much more than before. A major role in the restoration of the garden was played by the director Sergei Sokolov.

The Botanical Garden in our days

Now the Botanical Garden of Peter the Great consists of 26 greenhouses, where various plants of the tropics and subtropics are collected. Also there is a park-arboretum, in which plants of open ground grow. Regular excursions and exhibitions take place in the garden.

And although during the war most of the buildings were destroyed, they were restored from the surviving photographs. The image of the park, which can now be observed, was laid back in the nineteenth century.

The main task of the Botanical Garden is still scientific work. The garden staff conducts scientific research work on the study of plants. The garden cooperates with many botanical gardens of the world. Regular exchange of seeds and plants.

The park-arboretum is open for free access and inspection daily from 10 to 18 hours from April to October. In the greenhouse you can get from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 to 17 hours in the tour groups. About once a month in the greenhouses exhibitions are held, and those who wish can get there without a guide.

What you can see in the Botanical Garden

In the garden grows, blossoms and fructifies many different plants, only in the park-arboretum there are about 1000, and in greenhouses - about 9.5 thousand. This is a unique place in its diversity and beauty. Only here you can from the center of the metropolis instantly find yourself in the hot tropics and subtropics, stroll along the winding paths of the greenhouses and the park, admire the flowering flower beds.

Nobody will be indifferent to the blossoming cherry blossom in the Japanese garden, the huge leaves of Victoria's water lilies, tall palms and exotic succulents. A lot of flowering plants - orchids, camellias, azaleas and others - covers the garden beds with a colorful carpet.

Citrus trees during fruiting are a very beautiful sight: bright green leaves and large orange and yellow fruits nicely contrast with each other.

Although video shooting in the garden is prohibited, it is not only possible to photograph, but also necessary. If you visit the Botanical Garden of Peter the Great, a photo for memory is guaranteed to you.

Look at the blossom of the cactus Queen of the night come even at night, the garden for this changes the mode of operation, so that everyone could admire this unusual plant. Here you can see blooming bamboo and scarlet, fructifying grenades and coffee. Many would also like to see such an unusual plant, like arnoldi rafflesia, in the Botanical Garden of Peter the Great.

Excursions in the garden

In the greenhouse can only be accessed as part of the excursion, for visitors there are three routes:

1. Tropics. Having gone on this route, you can see the beautifully flowering orchids, a collection of ferns and succulents and many other amazing plants of tropical latitudes.
2. Subtropics. In this excursion you can see various citrus, incredibly beautiful azaleas and camellias.
3. Water excursion. As part of this route, you can visit the Great Palm Trees and see the Victorian Greenhouse, where the water vegetation is represented.

Botanical Museum for Children

Children are allowed to enter the garden from the age of four. To children could not only look at the plants, but also learn more about them, regular excursions and activities for children. If desired, teachers or parents can order a group of children for a specific study tour.

Within the framework of these activities in a playful and accessible form, children will study the basics of nature management, biology and ecology, and get acquainted with plants. Excursions are held in the form of exciting quests.

Exhibitions and events

In the garden, exhibitions and events are regularly held, so that everyone can see certain plants from all variety.

In spring you can admire the flowering orchids. The exhibition lasts only a week. You can see the plants and scientific enlightenment at the exhibition "We are not palm trees", dedicated to dracenas, yuccas and bananas. From March to April, you can admire the flowering of primroses - snowdrops, daffodils. At the end of April, there is a significant event - cherry blossom, to look at which gathers the whole city. From May 16 to May 17, the Botanical Garden of Peter the Great holds the "Night of Museums" action.

In the summer period there are exhibitions of peonies, phlox, lily, gladiolus and dahlia. In autumn there are exhibitions of unusual plants of the desert "Living stones". A festival of maple, mushrooms and berries is held. From late October to November an orchid and bromeliad exhibition is held.

How to get there

The garden is located on the Aptekarsky Island, in the city center. Convenient location allows you to easily visit the Botanical Garden of Peter the Great, its address - the street of Professor Popov, house 2. In five minutes walk is the metro station "Petrogradskaya".

Conclusion

The Botanical Garden is a unique complex in which many plants from around the world grow. The rich history, diversity of plants of different latitudes and diligence of employees make this place truly unique. The garden is definitely worth a visit, the more it is within the city and easy to reach.

Admire the plants, see many new and unusual, listen to the story of the guide - all this can be done by visiting the Botanical Garden.