Alexander Park, Public park next to Peter and Paul Fortress, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Alexander Park covers 144 hectares near the Peter and Paul Fortress, combining birch groves, oak clusters, pines, and spruce stands. Paths wind through different landscape zones, passing open meadows and denser woodland sections that invite walking and rest.
The park was created in 1842 on the initiative of Finance Minister E. F. Kankrin, who transformed a former military glacis into a public green space. The design followed the wish to offer the growing city a place of recreation and to put fortification grounds to peaceful use.
The People's House served for decades as a venue for opera and drama, drawing audiences from across the city. The building remains recognizable today and recalls a time when theater became accessible to a wider public.
The park opens around the clock and offers paths for walkers, joggers, and cyclists in all seasons. In summer, shaded spots appear beneath the trees, while in winter the grounds invite cross-country skiing.
Since 2011, a miniature bronze installation displays replicas of well-known city buildings. Visitors can view the models up close and gain an overview of Saint Petersburg's architecture in one spot.
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