The history of Peter the Great's Botanical Garden
"And I always lack something: in winter - summer, in autumn - spring," goes one song. If you're in such a mood, then you should visit the Peter the Great Botanical Garden. Here there is always plenty of everything. Both in winter and summer, something grows, blooms, and emits fragrance.
How it all began
In 1706, Peter I lived in Moscow, walked around Moscow, and conducted the Northern War also from Moscow. Therefore, he ordered the Apothecary Garden for growing medicinal herbs to be established, of course, in Moscow. On the northern outskirts of the capital, near the Sukharev Tower. He even personally planted a spruce, fir, and larch there, "for educating citizens in their differences." The garden was under the jurisdiction of the Apothecary Prikaz (Department), hence the name. By the way, the Apothecary Prikaz was an administrative-judicial body. Together with the Ambassadorial Prikaz, it invited foreign physicians to the court, collected and stored herbals, read "doctor's tales" (medical histories), and engaged in other similar activities.
The preparation and sale of vodka, wine, beer, and mead was also the business of the Apothecary Prikaz. This was their main source of income.
Soon Peter abandoned Moscow and began building himself another capital. All ministries and departments were moved there. The Apothecary Prikaz also relocated to St. Petersburg. In the new location, it was renamed to the Chancellery of the Main Pharmacy and situated on Millionnaya Street. The first Apothecary Gardens in the new capital were established nearby, on the Moika River. Where the Apothecary Lane is now.
An entire island for a pharmacy
In 1714, Peter transferred an entire island for the needs of the Main Pharmacy and Medical Chancellery. Only servicemen and workers of the Medical Chancellery were allowed to settle on the island. It was a city within a city. There was even its own island seal. Wild, Spruce, Raven's - that's how differently the residents called the island. But soon it became the Apothecary Island. Because in the northeast, near the Karpovka River, they established an Apothecary Garden for "multiplication of pharmaceutical and collection of special herbs." Then they built an "instrumental hut" - a workshop for repairing medical instruments. Now the "Krasnogvardeets" factory is here, still producing medical instruments. The garden expanded, new lands were acquired. Not only sage, parsley, and mint grew in the beds. "Curious and alien plants," i.e., foreign plants, began to appear.
French traveler Aubry de la Mottraye, who visited St. Petersburg in 1726, wrote with surprise in his diary: "Pineapples grow here until ripening. They are harvested and served at the table."
From garden to scientific garden
In 1728, the Garden became a garden, though still Apothecary. In 1732, greenhouses were built, or as they were called then – "warm barns." Judging by the inventory of plants in the first greenhouses, the heating in them was moderate. Citrus, ficus, and pelargonium did not require a hot climate.
In 1735, the Apothecary was renamed Medical. A German, Johann Georg Siegesbeck, was appointed as director. His duties included keeping the Garden in order. Siegesbeck immediately filed a petition to be included in the Academy's membership for the Department of Botany. And he was included. He was given an apartment and a salary. Now, besides maintenance duties, Siegesbeck had to engage in natural sciences. Scientific work began to be conducted, and collections were formed. Greenhouses for exotic heat-loving plants were built. For the first time, not only medicinal but also ornamental plants were grown. Siegesbeck corresponded with European scientists and exchanged seeds. In 1736, he conducted the first inventory of African and exotic collections. They numbered 921 items at that time.
Count K.G. Razumovsky, who headed the Imperial Academy of Sciences at the age of 18, decided that the Academy had no need for botanical science. It wasn't worth keeping an entire professor at such great expense just for botany. In 1747, Siegesbeck was removed from his position, and he went home.
In 1735, the Apothecary was renamed Medical. A German, Johann Georg Siegesbeck, was appointed as director. His duties included keeping the Garden in order. Siegesbeck immediately filed a petition to be included in the Academy's membership for the Department of Botany. And he was included. He was given an apartment and a salary. Now, besides maintenance duties, Siegesbeck had to engage in natural sciences. Scientific work began to be conducted, and collections were formed. Greenhouses for exotic heat-loving plants were built. For the first time, not only medicinal but also ornamental plants were grown. Siegesbeck corresponded with European scientists and exchanged seeds. In 1736, he conducted the first inventory of African and exotic collections. They numbered 921 items at that time.
Count K.G. Razumovsky, who headed the Imperial Academy of Sciences at the age of 18, decided that the Academy had no need for botanical science. It wasn't worth keeping an entire professor at such great expense just for botany. In 1747, Siegesbeck was removed from his position, and he went home.
It should be said that Siegesbeck had a nasty, scandalous character. He managed to quarrel with Carl Linnaeus. He questioned Linnaeus's published opinion on the sexual system of plant classification. He disputed Copernicus's heliocentric system of the world, which was popular at that time. He quarreled with two famous botanists, Gmelin and Krasheninnikov. The quarrel was actually domestic. Krasheninnikov complained about the disgusting behavior of Siegesbeck's entire large family. M.V. Lomonosov had to intervene and reconcile the neighbors.
Ups and downs
Years passed, sovereigns changed, and so did the attitude toward the Medical Garden. Catherine II respected it and used herbs. She liked to indulge in Tungus tea. She used mint to create a cheerful mood. Tansy – to fight mosquitoes and flies. She ordered a large wooden house to be built for the professor of botany. And she did not spare money for maintenance. By 1795, there were about 20 greenhouses.
Under Paul I, the Medical Garden was transferred to the Medical-Surgical Academy. Simply because there, in the Academy, among other subjects, they studied "Sprouting" (botany). From 1798, the Garden became known as the Botanical Garden. For a while, they only grew medicinal plants and fruits for the imperial table.
The transfer to different ministries and departments negatively affected funding. It was, as they would say now, based on the residual principle. The Botanical Garden lost not only money but also territories. Director Stefan gave part of the land to the Police Department for vegetable gardens. And then there was the war of 1812, and no one had time for gardens.
Under Paul I, the Medical Garden was transferred to the Medical-Surgical Academy. Simply because there, in the Academy, among other subjects, they studied "Sprouting" (botany). From 1798, the Garden became known as the Botanical Garden. For a while, they only grew medicinal plants and fruits for the imperial table.
The transfer to different ministries and departments negatively affected funding. It was, as they would say now, based on the residual principle. The Botanical Garden lost not only money but also territories. Director Stefan gave part of the land to the Police Department for vegetable gardens. And then there was the war of 1812, and no one had time for gardens.
Birthday is a sad holiday. The first century of the Botanical Garden
In 1814, the Botanical Garden celebrated its centenary in a deplorable state. The director, Jason Vasilyevich Petrov, wrote more than one report to higher authorities about the pitiful condition of the institution. About the deteriorating greenhouses. About plants dying from frost. "There's no money, but you hang in there..." – approximately the response from the department. Help came from an unexpected direction. From the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Specifically from the manager, Count Viktor Pavlovich Kochubey. Looking at the dilapidated Botanical Garden, the count said: "Any public institution should exist in the greatest possible perfection or not be undertaken at all." He composed a report "On the establishment of the Botanical Garden on Apothecary Island with the designation of it as Imperial" and sent it to Alexander I. The Emperor reviewed the report, approved it, and on March 23, 1823, the Botanical Garden received the proud title of Imperial. The German botanist Fyodor Bogdanovich (Friedrich Ernst Ludwig at birth) Fischer was appointed as director.
Friedrich Bogdanovich had already been in Russian service for some years. He managed the botanical garden of the Minister of Public Education, A. Razumovsky. The minister's garden in Gorenki was considered one of the "wonders of the world" in Moscow. Perhaps that's why there wasn't enough money for St. Petersburg's garden? Well, who knows now.
The tireless and active Fischer became fully immersed in the problems of the Imperial Garden. Transformations began. Architect Charlemagne the 1st, Joseph Ivanovich, developed a project for the construction of a greenhouse complex, administrative and residential buildings. During this period, 34 greenhouses were constructed. Galleries were built for storing inventory and deciduous plants. So that workers would not have to run outside and catch colds, the greenhouses were connected in a ring.
In 1824, the Imperial Garden became an independent entity. A sufficient budget was allocated. Extensive scientific work was conducted. Expedition after expedition was sent all over the world. A branch was opened in Rio de Janeiro to replenish exotic plants. By 1836, the Garden's collection was the richest in the world, comprising 15,000 plant species. In 1849, the first palm greenhouse was built. Fischer led the Imperial Garden until 1850.
But by 1850, the Garden was again viewed only as a supplier of exotic fruits to the Imperial table. Once again, the scientific part of the activities was reduced. But the Garden was lucky again. In 1855, Eduard Ludwigovich Regel was appointed Chief Gardener.
But by 1850, the Garden was again viewed only as a supplier of exotic fruits to the Imperial table. Once again, the scientific part of the activities was reduced. But the Garden was lucky again. In 1855, Eduard Ludwigovich Regel was appointed Chief Gardener.
Eduard Ludwigovich Regel was the Chief Gardener of the Zurich Botanical Garden, a university teacher, author of scientific works, and editor of a journal. He left Europe and came to St. Petersburg. He had corresponded for many years with the abbot of the Valaam Monastery. He brought frost-resistant apple tree seedlings to the island and consulted the Valaam monks. Thanks to such joint activities, watermelons, melons, cabbage, and carrots grew equally well on Valaam. The monastery repeatedly received gold and silver awards at gardening exhibitions.
Regel raised the Imperial Botanical Garden to European heights. In 1873, the scientific collections were in such excellent condition that the Botanical Garden participated in the Vienna World Exhibition. In 1875, Regel was entrusted with the duties of director for both the scientific and garden departments.
Later, the Botanical Garden again began to be transferred from one ministry to another. The staff was sometimes increased, sometimes reduced. Positions were introduced and canceled. Directors changed. Nevertheless, the scientific base grew, as did the collections. Even though the Botanical Garden was unable to organize and send its own expeditions, Russian travelers from other departments constantly brought material from their distant and nearby trips. A.K. Becker from the Volga steppes, Venedikt Retzl from America, N.A. Severtsov from Turkestan, N.M. Przhevalsky from East Asia. For an additional fee, residents from different corners of the world collected plants and sent them to St. Petersburg. Even artists, going on plein air trips, collected material for the Botanical Garden. The Garden became the richest in the world. The herbarium collection became the largest in the world. The museum was constantly replenished with fossil plants. The Botanical Garden participated in various exhibitions, bringing back gold medals. A large library was formed, specialized botanical publications were issued, and a seminary operated.
The seminary in the Botanical Garden was a seed laboratory for determining seed quality. The seminary's activities consisted of collecting and sorting seeds, compiling a seed catalog, and ordering seeds from other institutions.
In 1896-1898, the Great Palm Greenhouse was built, and in 1899, a new Victoria Greenhouse. 1903-1913 marked the peak of collection development.
The 20th century begins
In 1913, in honor of its 200th anniversary, the Botanical Garden was named after Peter the Great.
And then came the war and 1917. And again, plants died, buildings deteriorated, and greenhouses were destroyed. But after the revolution, the Botanical Garden did not suffer the fate of many other royal institutions. Moreover, exotic plants from the Tauride Greenhouse, Tsarskoye Selo, and other private gardens were transferred to it.
Not only plants moved. Buildings moved too. For example, the Tauride Greenhouse-Sanatorium. This structure was built of glass and metal in 1888-1889 by architects V.P. Samokhvalov and N.V. Smirnov. Immediately after the revolution, it was transferred to the museum department of Narkompros. Then the entire complex of Tauride greenhouses was transferred to the department of communal services of Petrograd. The department didn't know what to do with this property. But the Botanical Garden knew. In 1929, preparations for the move began. By 1935, the Tauride Greenhouse-Sanatorium got a new address on Pesochnaya Street (now Professor Popov Street).
And then came the war and 1917. And again, plants died, buildings deteriorated, and greenhouses were destroyed. But after the revolution, the Botanical Garden did not suffer the fate of many other royal institutions. Moreover, exotic plants from the Tauride Greenhouse, Tsarskoye Selo, and other private gardens were transferred to it.
Not only plants moved. Buildings moved too. For example, the Tauride Greenhouse-Sanatorium. This structure was built of glass and metal in 1888-1889 by architects V.P. Samokhvalov and N.V. Smirnov. Immediately after the revolution, it was transferred to the museum department of Narkompros. Then the entire complex of Tauride greenhouses was transferred to the department of communal services of Petrograd. The department didn't know what to do with this property. But the Botanical Garden knew. In 1929, preparations for the move began. By 1935, the Tauride Greenhouse-Sanatorium got a new address on Pesochnaya Street (now Professor Popov Street).
The corner of Shpalernaya and Potemkinskaya streets also did not remain vacant for long. In 1936, the Palm Greenhouse from Children's Village moved to the site of the Tauride Greenhouse.
The Botanical Garden itself was transferred to the Academy of Sciences. The main activities became the study of flora, plant resources, and research on photosynthesis. By 1925, all greenhouses had been restored. The greenhouse collections numbered about 14,000 items. The Botanical Garden was headed by Vladimir Leontyevich Komarov.
From 1925, the Botanical Garden became the Main Botanical Garden of the USSR. In 1930, it was transferred to the USSR Academy of Sciences. Currently, the Peter the Great Botanical Garden is part of the V.L. Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
From 1925, the Botanical Garden became the Main Botanical Garden of the USSR. In 1930, it was transferred to the USSR Academy of Sciences. Currently, the Peter the Great Botanical Garden is part of the V.L. Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The village of Komarovo near St. Petersburg, known as Kellomäki until 1948, was also named after Vladimir Leontyevich. He had a summer house there. And not only Komarov, many famous scientists, writers, and artists rested there. Some found their eternal rest there. The Komarovo cemetery is perhaps even more famous than the Komarovo dachas.
We survived!
We survived! In forty-one, that memorable year, the loudspeakers proclaimed disaster. From the first days of the blockade, bombs fell on the Botanical Garden. Not just because the bunker of the Baltic Fleet commander was nearby. The fascists were simply wiping the city off the face of the earth. The Palm Greenhouse was bombed in November 1941, and almost all tropical plants perished that night. The staff moved all heat-loving plants to one greenhouse and heated it with potbelly stoves. To save them somehow, they took plants to their homes. In the apartment of gardener Nikolai Ivanovich Kurnakov, a narrow passage led from the doorway to the bed among cereuses, trichocereuses, gymnocalyciums, and other cacti. He cared for them like small children. He disinfected, bandaged, and operated on frostbite. And the plants survived. Interestingly, even bananas survived, though only their rhizomes remained. After the war, they sprouted.
In 1941-1945, the Botanical Garden did not cease its scientific and educational activities. Brochures about edible and inedible plants were published for the residents of the blockaded city. Lectures were held on growing vegetable beds and methods of harvesting wild plants. Recipes for dishes from nettles and dandelions were developed. In those years, the Botanical Garden again became the Apothecary Garden. Medicinal plants were grown there.
In 1941-1945, the Botanical Garden did not cease its scientific and educational activities. Brochures about edible and inedible plants were published for the residents of the blockaded city. Lectures were held on growing vegetable beds and methods of harvesting wild plants. Recipes for dishes from nettles and dandelions were developed. In those years, the Botanical Garden again became the Apothecary Garden. Medicinal plants were grown there.
In the greenhouses, there are plants with St. George's ribbons on their trunks (one wants to say – on their chests). These are not just decorations. These ribbons are tied on veterans – plants that survived the blockade.
Under threat of closure
The first post-war tour was conducted as early as 1946. But the Palm Greenhouse stood empty for a long time, without glass. They even thought about closing it altogether. As, indeed, the entire garden. The President of the Academy of Sciences, S. Vavilov, considered the restoration of the Botanical Garden in Leningrad impractical. It was proposed to focus efforts on Moscow. But the Botanical Garden staff and its director, S. Sokolov, wrote letters and personally went to see J. Stalin. And they defended Peter the Great's creation. Soon the Botanical Garden was recreated and restored. Well, and then the plant collections were restored. Some through reparations. Some through the support of other Botanical Gardens that sent their seedlings and seeds as gifts. And sometimes Leningrad residents brought their plants, which they had bought here before the war. The Garden was fully restored by 1960. Though without one greenhouse, No. 5. The Botanical Museum was placed there. By the way, it's one of the oldest. It was founded back in 1823.
Then came another disaster called Perestroika. And again, lack of money, and again, oblivion. Shrubs turned into thickets, flower beds became herbariums of weeds, and paths were not visible.
Then came another disaster called Perestroika. And again, lack of money, and again, oblivion. Shrubs turned into thickets, flower beds became herbariums of weeds, and paths were not visible.
Warm, bright, beautiful
But let's not talk about sad things anymore. Peter the Great's Botanical Garden on Apothecary Island today is a Greenhouse Complex, Park, and Botanical Museum. It's scientific and educational work. These are exhibitions, lectures, master classes, festivals. And of course, tours and walks.
Walks and tours in greenhouses are different. On walks, you can stroll at your own pace; you just can't go in the opposite direction. And on a tour, you need to follow only the guide, at their suggested pace. Therefore, tours are not suitable for small children. Toddlers get tired in the hot tropics of the greenhouses, and there's no way to go back for a drink or to use the toilet.
The greenhouses of the Botanical Garden are grouped into three routes: "Tropical," "Subtropical," and "Aquatic."
One of the stops on the water route tour is the Victoria Greenhouse No. 28. There is the largest water lily there. Its leaf can support a weight of up to 50 kg. You won't be allowed to test it, of course, but you can admire it. Victoria blooms for only three days, and only until noon. At the same time, like a true lady, each time in a new outfit. On the first day of flowering, a snow-white flower appears on the surface, and by noon it hides. On the second day, a delicate pink one emerges from the water and dives again. And on the third day – a red one. Then the flower goes to the bottom of the pool, and there the water lily forms seeds.
One of the stops on the water route tour is the Victoria Greenhouse No. 28. There is the largest water lily there. Its leaf can support a weight of up to 50 kg. You won't be allowed to test it, of course, but you can admire it. Victoria blooms for only three days, and only until noon. At the same time, like a true lady, each time in a new outfit. On the first day of flowering, a snow-white flower appears on the surface, and by noon it hides. On the second day, a delicate pink one emerges from the water and dives again. And on the third day – a red one. Then the flower goes to the bottom of the pool, and there the water lily forms seeds.
The Park-Arboretum is one of the oldest parks in Russia. It mainly features trees and shrubs familiar to us. These are maple, oak, elm, thuja, larch, linden, birch. But you can also find exotics and Red Book trees. The park territory is divided into 145 sections. There is an Iridarium with irises, a Peony Garden with peonies, and of course a Rose Garden with roses. There is a garden of continuous flowering, a Japanese Garden, and Alpine hills.
There is an "Alley of Caring Petersburgers" with bushes of elite lilacs. Caring Petersburgers responded to the action to help the Botanical Garden. Some transferred money, and some planted a named bush.
There is the "Levrana Sensory Garden." This is a site for people with disabilities. Interactive stands with Braille inscriptions. Fragrant and pleasant-to-touch plants planted in special high beds. Rest areas convenient for people in wheelchairs.
There is an "Alley of Caring Petersburgers" with bushes of elite lilacs. Caring Petersburgers responded to the action to help the Botanical Garden. Some transferred money, and some planted a named bush.
There is the "Levrana Sensory Garden." This is a site for people with disabilities. Interactive stands with Braille inscriptions. Fragrant and pleasant-to-touch plants planted in special high beds. Rest areas convenient for people in wheelchairs.
The museum will acquaint you with the vegetation of the globe, St. Petersburg, and the Leningrad region, and show the long path of the evolution of the plant world. Museum working hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:30 for entry.
Once upon a time, the Botanical Garden even appeared in films. In 1958 in "Eugene Onegin" and in 1975 in "The Star of Captivating Happiness." Now you can have a wedding shoot or photo session in the Garden. Just arrange in advance and pay.
The Botanical Garden is beautiful in its own way at any time of the year. On a frosty January day, you can walk through the tropics. In February, walks among camellias and azaleas are wonderful. In April, everyone admires the first flowers. In May – the cherry blossoms. It's better to come to the Japanese beauty after May 20; at this time, century-old apple trees are also blooming. In summer, peonies, phloxes, and lilies fill the air with fragrance. In autumn, maples burn brightly.
The Botanical Garden is beautiful in its own way at any time of the year. On a frosty January day, you can walk through the tropics. In February, walks among camellias and azaleas are wonderful. In April, everyone admires the first flowers. In May – the cherry blossoms. It's better to come to the Japanese beauty after May 20; at this time, century-old apple trees are also blooming. In summer, peonies, phloxes, and lilies fill the air with fragrance. In autumn, maples burn brightly.
The most unusual thing you can see is the blooming of the Queen of the Night. Once a year, on one of the white nights, delicate and fragrant flowers bloom on this cactus. The staff can see in advance when the capricious beauty will bloom and post information on the website. The greenhouse is open until midnight that day so that all who wish can admire it. And by morning, the flower withers, and nothing reminds of the Queen.
Tours in the Botanical Garden are every day except Monday. Daytime from 11:00 to 16:30. Evening from 17:00 to 19:30.
A visit to Peter the Great's Botanical Garden is always a pleasure. But experienced people suggest that the best days are Wednesday or Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, there are many pensioners with benefits. On Saturday and Sunday – holidaymakers with children. But for exhibitions, they advise coming in the first days of opening. The flowers and consultants are fresh, and visitors haven't tired them yet. Comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing are an important aspect of the visit. The greenhouse routes are quite hot, and there's no cloakroom; that's how it has historically developed.
A bit about what's "not allowed"
▪︎ You can't come to the greenhouses with your own flowers.
▪︎ You can't bring and leave your tiresome turtles, fish, rats.
▪︎ You also can't bring beloved pets, even if they're in muzzles and carriers.
Also, you can't ride bicycles and scooters, but this probably doesn't need to be reminded. As well as the fact that digging up and breaking off plants is also a no-no. There's a shop for that. Or you can come to volunteer for weeding and cleaning.
Finding the Botanical Garden is easy. Just 1356 steps from Petrogradskaya metro station. The main entrance is at 2 Professor Popov Street. The entrance from the Karpovka River embankment is temporarily closed.
A visit to Peter the Great's Botanical Garden is always a pleasure. But experienced people suggest that the best days are Wednesday or Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, there are many pensioners with benefits. On Saturday and Sunday – holidaymakers with children. But for exhibitions, they advise coming in the first days of opening. The flowers and consultants are fresh, and visitors haven't tired them yet. Comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing are an important aspect of the visit. The greenhouse routes are quite hot, and there's no cloakroom; that's how it has historically developed.
A bit about what's "not allowed"
▪︎ You can't come to the greenhouses with your own flowers.
▪︎ You can't bring and leave your tiresome turtles, fish, rats.
▪︎ You also can't bring beloved pets, even if they're in muzzles and carriers.
Also, you can't ride bicycles and scooters, but this probably doesn't need to be reminded. As well as the fact that digging up and breaking off plants is also a no-no. There's a shop for that. Or you can come to volunteer for weeding and cleaning.
Finding the Botanical Garden is easy. Just 1356 steps from Petrogradskaya metro station. The main entrance is at 2 Professor Popov Street. The entrance from the Karpovka River embankment is temporarily closed.
Tamara Zakharova
- author of the article
In love with St. Petersburg. With its white nights and rains, cafes and bookshops, Palace Square and Lakhta Center. With its past and present. I love learning something new about the city every day and sharing it with everyone.
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