Across the river from the Peter and Paul fortress and the wooden Cabin of Peter the Great one can visit the historic Summer Garden. Behind the beautiful wrought iron fence there is an old park that witnessed the most spectacular moments of St Petersburg's early history.

Impressed by the royal parks that he had seen in Europe, Peter the Great was very keen to have such a park in his new and beloved "paradise" - St Petersburg. In Peter's new park everything was done according to the latest fashion: all trees and bushes were trimmed in the most elaborate way, all the alleys were decorated with marble statues and fountains. Peter the Great used to organize receptions and balls there, which were called assamblei - assemblies. The most popular entertainments of the day were illuminations and fireworks, plus dancing, drinking and more.

Peter the Great commissioned the first architect of the city - Domenico Trezzini - to build a small palace in the park. The palace had no heating and was intended for summer time. That's why it was called a Summer Palace (Peter had a Winter Palace further down the Neva River), and the park became known as the Summer Garden. A two-storey yellow palace was built in 1710-14, with 7 rooms on each floor. After the Second World War the palace was carefully restored: the older interiors were recreated and a collection of early 18th century artefacts, many originally owned by Peter the Great, was put on display.

It is always a great pleasure to take a stroll down the alleys of the Summer Garden, passing by the palace, the marvelous marble statues and the pond. A pair of white swans return every year to the Karpiev pond in the Summer Garden, though the park is located in the middle of a huge city...

(Admission to the park is generally free (except on weekends in the summer). The palace is open 10:30 to 5 p.m.. Closed on Tuesdays. A modest admission fee is charged).

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