Petersburg is a city that surprises not only with its sights and cozy corners, but also with folk myths and place names. One of the examples of folk toponymy, that is, spontaneous unofficial names, can be considered the toponym "Kat'kin garden". What is this place in the northern capital? We will try to answer this question.
Principles of toponymy of St. Petersburg or how was he formed?
There are about 18 principles according to which the official historical names of places in St. Petersburg arose. The oldest were: "I see-I name", associated with the settlement of Finno-Ugric tribes in the north-west, landscape or natural, the principle of renaming in connection with the signing of the Stolbovsky Treaty in 1617 Finno-Ugric toponyms in Russian and Swedish fashion. During the construction of the new city founded by Peter I, new toponyms appeared on the banks of the Neva - the names of streets and squares. The beginning was laid by Elizaveta Petrovna. Then the principles were used: suburban, by city and country, by significantobject. The latter was used most frequently until the beginning of the 20th century.
Because in the prevailing by the middle of the 19th century. The Alexandrinsky Theater was considered to be the architectural and planning ensemble of the current Ostrovsky Square, so the original name of the square sounded like Alexandrinsky. However, after the design of the public garden around the installed monument on the square, the people, apparently, singled out a different dominant for themselves - the monument to Catherine II. So the name "Katkin's garden" arose among the people.
History of the place
The territory now occupied by Ostrovsky Square and Katkin Garden in St. Petersburg used to be the possessions of the favorite of Elizabeth Petrovna Alexei Grigoryevich Razumovsky. Here was the garden of the Anichkov Palace estate, a pond on the lands of which stretched along the entire length of the section of Nevsky Prospekt up to Sadovaya Street. Greenhouses and a nursery were located along the border with Sadovaya, and garden pavilions were located on the territory of the present Ekaterininsky Square.
Under Alexander I, the garden was abolished, and in its place they began to decorate the square. Instead of the Casassi theater, a stone theater was built. According to the plan of Tom de Thomon and Luigi Rusca, who were involved in the planning of the territory, the square was to be fenced off from Nevsky Prospekt with a fence with a main entrance in the form of a monumental gate. After Alexander I gave the Anichkov Palace to Nicholas I, Maudui continued to do the planning. But his project did not suit Nikolai Pavlovich.
Continued work on the project by C. I. Rossi. Only part of the fence from the side of the Anichkov Palace was implemented. Russian garden pavilions were erected on the same side– the first monuments of the Patriotic War of 1812.
Harmony of the architectural and planning ensemble
The ensemble of Ostrovsky Square with "Katkin Garden" in St. Petersburg is included as an important component in the most important architectural and planning ensemble of the city - Nevsky Prospekt, to which it is opened with the front side. The architectural and thematic dominant immediately attracts attention - the Drama Theater. Pushkin, before the revolution of 1917 better known as Aleksandrinka. It was built according to the project of the Italian architect Karl Ivanovich Rossi in the same way as the two buildings of the Russian National Library located on the right side of the square's perimeter. The third, main, with a rounded corner and a second facade overlooking Sadovaya Street, was created by Sokolov. The perimeter line is continued by two profitable houses, one of which, built in the neo-Russian style, is the famous Basin house by N. N. Nikonov.
From the reverse side, it is oriented towards another amazing ensemble - Architect Rossi Street and is closed on both sides by the end facades of the theater museum and library, which are part of the building of the Vaganova Academy of Ballet Art, and the former building of the Directorate of Imperial theaters by Rossi.
Main dominant
In the center of Ostrovsky Square and the "Katkin Garden" in St. Petersburg, in 1873, a monument to Catherine II was erected according to the project of Opekushin, Chizhov, Mikeshin and others. It is made in an unusual form - a children's pyramid, the top of which is a sculptural imageEnlightened Empress in full growth - Catherine the Legislator in the form of Minerva. This decision is reminiscent of the famous portrait of D. Levitsky.
The lower part of the monument is a pedestal in the form of a bell placed on the ground, on which groups of sculptural images of Catherine the Great's associates, who glorified Russia and did a lot for her during the reign of the Empress, are arranged in a circle: M. V. Lomonosov, P. A Rumyantsev, A. V. Suvorov, G. G. Potemkin, E. R. Vorontsova-Dashkova, I. I. Betskoy and others.
Katkin kindergarten
In the photo in St. Petersburg it stands out against the background of stone masterpieces of architecture. Later called "Katkin", the square around the monument appeared in the period from 1820 to 1832. The author of the idea was the creator of the architectural ensemble, K. I. Rossi. He was assisted by the master of creating gardens, Yakov Fedorov, and the square was replanned in the second half of the century by D. Grim and E. Regel. The purpose of the redevelopment is to adapt the territory for walking residents of the capital city.
According to the idea of Alexander I, it was decided to supplement the design of the garden with 29 statues of prominent public, political, military and cultural figures. For a long time there were discussions of the list of applicants, but it dragged on so much that in the end it was not implemented at all.
In our time around the monument there is an improved area with paths for walking and benches for rest. The address of "Katkina Sad" in St. Petersburg is Ostrovsky Square, the corner with Sadovaya Street and Nevsky Prospekt.
City Center
Now Ostrovsky Square and "Katkin Garden" in St. Petersburg - a place where life is in full swing. Every day, many citizens and guests of St. Petersburg come here to take a walk and enjoy the beauty of urban architecture, reminiscent of past eras and cultures of different peoples, capable of acquainting their contemplators with the history of the capital of the Russian Empire.
The section of Nevsky Prospekt in front of the garden is a favorite place for urban artists. They not only present their works here and sell them, but also draw for everyone. You can choose the master and the technique in which he draws to his liking.
On Saturdays and Sundays, festivals of ice cream, smelt, etc. are regularly held here. Theatergoers are waiting for the start of performances. Researchers and scientists hurry to the library.
Christmas at Catherine the Great
During the reign of the Enlightened Empress, Christmas days were widely celebrated in St. Petersburg. And since since the time of Peter the Great the city developed as a multi-confessional center, not only Orthodox, but also Catholic Christmas was celebrated here. There were also fairs dedicated to this holiday. The courtiers and Catherine herself took an active part in them.
In tribute to the memory of this tradition, every winter at the feet of Catherine II in the "Katkin garden" in St. Petersburg, a city Christmas fair is held. It is organized in the best European traditions. As part offairs are charitable events. For example, "Christmas Tree of Desires". In St. Petersburg, in the "Katkin garden" at the address: Nevsky Prospekt, Ostrovsky Square, a New Year tree is being set up. On it, children from orphanages hang pre-prepared envelopes with wishes, and then famous people: actors, writers, politicians, etc. print the envelopes, read their contents aloud and fulfill the wishes. In addition, they paint portraits of vacationers, and donate the proceeds to orphanages.
The fair itself is located along the perimeter of Ekaterininsky Square and is dedicated every year to a new topic. Not only Russian, but also foreign partners take part in the fairs.
For those who don't know how to get to "Katkino garden" in St. Petersburg, the information is as follows: the easiest way is the metro to the station "Nevsky Prospect" or "Gostiny Dvor".
