New Holland in St. Petersburg: flowers, photo

The list of the most romantic and interesting places in the northern capital of Russia by right includes the island of New Holland. In St. Petersburg for many years, this territory was closed to the public. The island acquired a unique appearance, in which the features of various historical epochs embodied in stone are combined. New Holland in St. Petersburg is a masterpiece of architecture. It is built in the early classical Russian style.

History of appearance

New Holland in St. Petersburg - an artificial island. It appeared in 1717, after the construction of the canalization system on the territory between the Admiralty and Kryukov canals, as well as the Moika River. At the direction of Peter I, a wooden house was built on the island. In it, the king rested, when he made trips to the Galere Palace, located nearby.

The area surrounding the house resembled Peter Holland. That is why the island got its unusual name. The very same house of the sovereign began to be called "Dutch". A little later, fruit trees were planted around the building, and a small pond was dug nearby.

Beginning of construction on the island

19.02.1731, it was decided to build warehouses in New Holland where the ship's forest was to be stored. The order was received by IK Korobov, who in those years was the chief architect of the Admiralty. In the summer of 1732 the construction was started. It lasted six years. Already in 1738 around the perimeter of the island appeared seven corps. The forest, which was stored in warehouses, was used by the Admiralty in the construction of ships. However, by 1750 all the buildings had become dilapidated and had been demolished.

Designing of new constructions

On the island of New Holland in St. Petersburg, after the demolition of the dilapidated warehouses, it was decided to build new ones. For the design took a student Korobov - SI Chevakinsky. Already in 1765 the results of his work appeared. The project designed by the architect provided storage of logs using the latest "Dutch" technology. They had to be in a standing position, with a slight inclination. The entire warehouse complex contained a quantity of wood that could be used to build fifteen ships. On the perimeter of the building it was supposed to arrange stone structures.

According to the architect's idea, the pond that was dug under Peter the Great had to turn into a rectangular basin. It became wider, connecting with the Kryukov Canal and the Moika with two channels. As a result, New Holland was divided into two islands. One of them was named Pokrovsky, and the second - Kolomna.

For the architectural design of the warehouse complex, the architect JB Vallen-Delamot was called to the rescue. The architect decided to avoid the gray monotony of the buildings. He put forward a proposal for processing the facades of warehouses with a large rust. At the same time, high arched windows were arranged in the buildings.

Construction of new buildings

On 13.04.1765 the Empress approved the project of erecting structures on the island of New Holland in St. Petersburg. Four hundred masons were immediately involved in the construction. Supervised by all the works of engineer IK Gerard. However, the unforeseen happened: in the summer of 1766, Gerard, the project was lost. About this loss is evidenced by the announcement given to them in the newspaper "St. Petersburg Vedomosti".

The famous arch, which is located on the island of New Holland (St. Petersburg) (photo below) was built for eight years. The beginning of the erection dates back to 1770. However, it turned out that it was built with errors. Because of this, in five years the arch was dismantled, and in 1784 rebuilt. The height of the structure is twenty-three meters, and the width of the span is just over eight meters. The arch is composed of granite blocks, each weighing about four tons.

Gerard in 1780 was replaced by the architect M. Veshnikov. The construction of warehouses along the Moika was completed in 1784 already under his leadership. Further construction of buildings went unevenly, with interruptions. From the side of the yard the warehouses were built up to the height of the external facade in the early 19th century. In the years 1848-1849. The construction of the building, located on the corner of Kryukov and the Admiralty Canal, was completed. Then the wall of the island was surrounded by a wall. However, this was done only by the Admiralty Channel.

In total, the island was built twenty-six buildings, the total length of which was two hundred and sixty meters. The height of these structures increased imperceptibly as we approached the arch.

The Naval Prison was designed by the architect of the military department A. Staubert on the island New Holland (St. Petersburg). This building was built in 1828. Working on the project, the architect called his offspring "Tower." During the existence of the prison its name in everyday life has constantly changed. As a result, it was popularly called the "Bottle." An expression exists in this building that exists in the Russian language. When they say "Do not go into the bottle," it means that you should behave reasonably so that you do not get to where you should not go.

New Holland is an island on which the forest was kept. For use in the construction of ships, this material was transported along the Admiralty Canal to the shipyard.

The fate of the territory after the October Revolution

In the Soviet period, the island of New Holland (St. Petersburg) was occupied by military units. To sell this territory to foreign investors tried in the 1990s. However, the deals broke down due to protracted negotiations with the military departments. At the beginning of this century, the director of the Mariinsky Theater, Valery Gergiev , put forward a proposal to transfer the island to the ownership of the northern capital.

The artist planned to place a new stage in the territory of New Holland. However, the decision was not more positive. Only in November 2004 the island passed under the jurisdiction of St. Petersburg.

Historical facts

New Holland is the place where the loud voice of Tsar Peter I sounded, when he croaked his ship masters. On this island, the first spark radio station in Russia was created and a prison was built on the European model. In New Holland, at the initiative of Admiral Makarov, as well as the scientist Dmitry Mendeleyev, the work of the only scientific research center in the country was initiated. In its unique indoor pool, work was carried out with ship models. On the same island, Mendeleev conducted research in a laboratory that existed at the Maritime Department. The scientist worked on various types of gunpowder.

It was from the island of New Holland that Lenin called on the people to make a revolution. It remembers this place and many other secrets that for the general public have been inaccessible for many years.

Present day

The territory of New Holland, which for three hundred years worked Russian inventors and scientists, only in 2010 began to transform into an art space accessible to the public. At the same time the island has turned into one of the most interesting cultural sites of the northern capital.

Currently, the project "Summer in New Holland" is being implemented. Various activities are held on the island. In their list of exhibitions and concerts, a variety of shows and competitions. At the territory closed in the past, you can sit in cozy cafes, watch movies.

If you choose New Holland (SPb) as a place to rest, how do you get to it? First you need to get to the Theater Square. This can be done from the metro stations Spasskaya, Sadovaya or Sennaya Ploshchad. Then you should move along the quay of the Kryukov canal to the place where it intersects with the Moika. This way will not take more than twenty minutes.

Planning of the island

The entire territory of New Holland today is divided by the main road into two parts. One of them is an ideal green lawn, the area of which is five thousand square meters. The second part is a pebble with installed old sea containers. In these improvised pavilions, food is prepared, sport equipment is given out and designers are working.

Visitors to the island have the opportunity to lie on the grass, use the sun loungers, which are given for free, and play in Frisbee. On a specially equipped field, volleyball and mini-football teams are trained. A lot of wooden benches are located on the territory of New Holland. Floorings and fences near the water are also made of this material. Right on the lawn there are stone niches in which you can light a fire. Wi-Fi is available on the island, which is free for visitors.

The project "Shop"

Here is a public garden. Already in the first weekend, six of the eighteen beds on it were rented by the visitors. On the island of New Holland (St. Petersburg), flowers are not grown. Preference is given to spicy herbs, green onions, parsley and watercress. It is planned to establish a greenhouse for peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers in the neighborhood.

Part of the beds is given to different projects. For example, the house of life, which is a cafe-bar, is engaged in the cultivation of vegetables and potatoes. There are beds belonging to the magazine "Sobaka Ru", the chain of restaurants "Probka Group", etc.

Reconstruction

The cultural program "Summer in New Holland" involves a variety of forms of self-expression. Within the framework of this project, since the opening of the island for the public, various events have been held on the territory, affecting the literary sphere and theater, music and design, as well as other arts.

The most interesting place is the island of New Holland (St. Petersburg). The year 2014 was marked by the beginning of reconstruction works here. In connection with this, art projects are temporarily suspended and visits to the territory are prohibited. It is planned that for the public New Holland will be opened as early as 2015.