Neskuchny Garden in Moscow – history, photo, description, how to get there, attractions

The Neskuchny Garden in Moscow is a favorite vacation spot for citizens and guests of the capital. The garden and park complex, together with ancient architectural structures and modern attractions, provides diverse opportunities for a pleasant pastime. The equipped landscape space occupies an area of ​​59 hectares along the right bank of the Moskva River and is a kind of continuation of the TsPKiO im. M. Gorky.

Story

The Neskuchny Garden acquired its modern look in the middle of the 19th century, when the Palace Department acquired three neighboring estates for Emperor Nicholas I:

1. Orlova (former Demidovskaya)
2. Golitsyn
3. Trubetskoy-Shakhovsky

In 1756, the famous Ural industrialist P.A. Demidov ordered to plant a garden on the banks of the Moscow River. The sloping slope was transformed into an amphitheater, on the terraces of which more than 2 thousand varieties of rare crops were planted. Greenhouses and greenhouses were built for exotic plants. A large pond was dug on one of the sites. All kinds of waterfowl were bred in it. There was a poultry house nearby.

“Demidov” garden quickly gained fame. People of any class were allowed to examine its curiosities free of charge. After the death of Demidov, the garden was redeemed by Count A.G. Orlov-Chesmensky. At his command, various sculptural compositions and small architectural forms (pavilions, gazebos, etc.) appear on the territory.

The neighboring estate belonged to Prince N. Yu. Trubetskoy, who also loved entertainment and undertakings. The “highlight” of the park area was the “green” labyrinth. The garden housed greenhouses for outlandish plants, original pavilions. Golitsyn's estate at the end of the 18th century passed by inheritance to Natalya Petrovna Chernysheva. The new owner flatly refused to sell the estate during her lifetime. According to her will, only after 5 years from the moment of death, the heirs could dispose of the land. In 1843, the Golitsyn inheritance bought out the Palace Order.

Thus, the imperial family became the owner of a vast territory within Moscow. She was chosen for the arrangement of the royal residence. The work was supervised by the architect Evgraf Tyurin and the gardener Pelzel. A palace was built for the summer holidays of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. In her honor, he received the name of Alexandria.

In the middle of the 19th century landscape gardening has undergone significant changes. The pond was filled in, the coastal terraces were smoothed out, and many buildings were dismantled. In the absence of the owners, the garden became available to the public. It gradually grew and grew wild. The situation improved after the Grand Duke S.A. Romanov, who was appointed to the post of Governor-General of Moscow, moved to the Alexandria Palace. He ordered to stop free access to the garden and carry out work on its restoration. Architectural and construction activities were entrusted to V. A. Gamburtsev.

Since 1918, the Neskuchny Garden again received the status of a public garden. The palace building houses a collection of furniture from the 17th-19th centuries. Since 1928, the territory has been included in the TsPKiO im. M. Gorky. In 2009, the garden and park complex was given the status of a specially protected area.

Why is the garden called Neskuchny

The garden owes its name to the Neskuchnoye estate, which belonged to Prince N.Yu. Trubetskoy. The princely family in the middle of the 18th century. received land from the Kaluga outpost to the Moscow River. The territory occupied a hill and a deep ravine. In order to properly equip the area, which is difficult in terms of relief, the architect D. Ukhtomsky was invited. He designed the baroque palace, which he called the “Non Boring Country House”.

The two-story building was decorated with:

The adjoining park was organized in the Versailles style. Bushes grew along the paths, trimmed in various geometric shapes. The landscape was complemented by numerous sculptures and pavilions. After the death of the first owner, Neskuchnoye passed from hand to hand, and was bought out by order of Emperor Nicholas I in 1826. Subsequently, the entire territory of the imperial residence became known as Neskuchny Garden.

This nickname was confirmed by a variety of amusements and entertainments that were arranged to amuse visitors. In the middle of the 19th century “air” (summer) theater was opened. Illusionists, bear trainers, gypsy ensembles, theater soloists performed on its stage.

sights

The boring garden still lives up to its name. On an area of ​​60 hectares, historical sights of the 17th-20th centuries have been preserved:

The Alexandrinsky Palace (architect E. Tyurin) changed its purpose several times. It was built as a summer vacation spot for Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. Later, the Moscow governor-general lived in it. In the 20th century the building was turned into a museum: originally furniture, and then ethnology. In the 30s. of the last century, the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of Russia is based in the palace.

On the sides of the main building there are 2 outbuildings:

The rise to the main staircase is decorated with stone bulldogs. The entrance gates on both sides are decorated with pylons with allegorical figures “Abundance”. Since 1934, the central part of the front yard has been occupied by the “Four Seasons” fountain. It was made according to the sketches of the sculptor I. Vitali and previously stood on Lubyanskaya Square in Moscow.

Count Orlov was a passionate horseman and horse breeder. Therefore, he ordered the construction of an arena for horses on the estate. Now it houses the A.E. Fersman Museum of Mineralogy. The stables were connected to the house by means of the Big Stone (Upper) Bridge. In addition to it, the estate has preserved the Small Stone (Lower), passing over the ravine and a small Grotesque bridge.

To perform water procedures, the Bathing Pavilion was built on the banks of the Elizabethan (Ekaterininsky) pond. It had marble baths. According to legend, the bottom of the reservoir was paved with marble slabs for bathing high-ranking persons. At the slope of the Andreevsky ravine stands the Hunting Pavilion. It hosts the shooting of the popular TV program “What? Where? When?”. The balcony of the Tea House offers a panoramic view of the central part of the capital. In the 50s. 19th century according to the project of the architect P. D. Delsal, a grotto of the same name was arranged.

On the river bank in the 30s. 20th century the sculptural group “Girls-divers” (author – R. Iodko) was installed. For the 800th anniversary of the capital, a Rotunda was built in the Neskuchny Garden with bas-reliefs depicting scenes of Russian history and fountains (author D. Chechulin). Next to them in 2007, the Alley of Love was laid. Its decoration is a symbolic clock, whose hand is set to 5 minutes to six.

Entertainment

Neskuchny Garden has all the conditions for a varied holiday. There is a free library in the building with columns near the Moskva River. The chess pavilion hosts board game tournaments. Anyone can play table tennis or tennis. For this purpose, courts and tables are placed in the park area.

The Children's equestrian school offers its services. The park organizes the rental of sports equipment (bicycles, longboards, roller skates). Thrill-seekers will be happy to climb the rope “Panda Park”. In winter, winter swimming enthusiasts swim in the ice-holes near the river bank. Neskuchny Garden has cycling and jogging paths with chill-out areas and dance floors, as well as several playgrounds.

There is a children's club “Shardam”, in the program of which:

An interactive mini-zoo awaits visitors on the central alley.

How to get there

The main entrance is located along Leninsky Prospekt (16-20). The garden can be easily reached by metro:

In addition, there is a motor ship pier, to which pleasure boats arrive in the warm season.