Russian gardens attract six million visitors per year

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Moscow's Tsaritsyno Palace was the first imperial estate to open its grounds to the public, 200 years ago. By the end of the 20th century, it was in ruins, but after renovations, the palace and its gardens now attract an average of nearly six million visitors per year.

A stone arch is one of the garden's oldest features. /Photo from FSN Moscow

It is a romantic setting for spring weddings, summer picnics, and year-round strolls.

The palace is a romantic setting for weddings. /Photo from FSN Moscow

Russia's Tsaritsyno Palace, on the outskirts of Moscow, was commissioned in the 18th century by the Empress Catherine the Great. It was designed to be a quiet summer country residence, with a complex of palace buildings, surrounded by beautiful gardens.

The palace complex is unique in style. /Photo from FSN Moscow

The court architect Vasily Bazhenov began the planning. However, he fell out of favor with the Empress, and an assistant took over for the later stages. Landscape Architect at Tsaritsyno, Elena Evgrafova, said: “There are still many debates about what to call the style. It's one of a kind, and the architect himself called it ‘gentle gothic'.

A temple in the grounds. /Photo from FSN Moscow

“It's kind of mid-century, with elements of ancient Russian heritage, and he tried to unite eclectic elements with his own approach. It's unique.”

In the end, Catherine died before the palace and gardens could be completed. Instead, her grandson decided to open the grounds to the public in the 19th century. It was the first of Russia's imperial estates to allow in the public.

The palace and gardens today have been extensively renovated after spending years in ruins, but the grounds retain many of their original features. They are as popular as ever, with nearly six million visitors per year, and most of those who visit, do so for the gardens.

The grounds attract visitors all year round. /Photo from FSN Moscow

The designers have ambitious plans for the future. Landscape Architect Elena Evgrafova said: “We want to restore the important elements of the classical English landscape garden, with open viewpoints. We're using the historical trees here to create a kind of landscape theatre of natural plants.”

The English-style gardens are a place for quiet moments. /Photo from FSN Moscow