Елагин остров | |
|---|---|
 Yelagin Island, aerial view | |
  Yelagin Island Location in the Russian Federation | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Gulf of Finland |
| Coordinates | 59°58′46″N30°15′37″E / 59.97944°N 30.26028°E /59.97944; 30.26028 |
| Archipelago | The Islands (historical area in Saint Petersburg, Russia) [ ru] |
| Area | 0.94 km2 (0.36 sq mi) |
| Length | 2.1 km (1.3 mi) |
| Width | 0.8 km (0.5 mi)[1] |
| Highest elevation | 18 m (59 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Region | Saint Petersburg |
Yelagin Island (Russian:Елагин остров) is a parkisland at the mouth of theNeva River which is part ofSt. Petersburg,Russia. Yelagin Island is home to theYelagin Palace but has a few other buildings as well. A former suburban estate of 18th-century Russian nobles and later ofEmpress Maria, widow ofPaul I of Russia, since theRussian Revolution of 1917 it has served as a city public park, officially Central Park of Culture and Rest named afterSergey Kirov, the famousBolshevik city leader of the early 1930s who supervised the development of the city.
It is a flat island located in the delta of the Neva River, between theGrand Nevka branch and theCentral Nevka. The island has a surface of 94 hectares. It stretches from east to west for 2.1 km and has a maximum width from north to south of 0.8 km.[1]
The island initially served as a wooded retreat for the ruling class. Originally known as Melgunov Island, the island takes its present name from its former owner,Ivan Yelagin (1725–93), best known as a founding father of the RussianFreemasonry. The palace was built in 1786 in the eastern section of the island.[2]
In 1817, the island was bought for 350,000rubles by the Imperial Cabinet on behalf of the Russian Monarchy. The following year the palace grounds underwent a thorough redesigning and restructuring led by architectCarlo Rossi. The works lasted four years and included a vastEnglish landscape garden with a system of canals, bridges and ponds, as well as grottoes andgazebos.[3]
Formerly off-limits for most local people, after theRussian Revolution, the isle was opened to the public as an urban park which still bears the name ofSergei Kirov.
In present times Yelagin Island is a popular weekend destination for Petersburgers. Visitors can rent boats to navigate the island's several ponds and canals. There are also rollerblade and bicycle rentals, as well as several attractions for children including pony rides, miniature trains and playgrounds. The island also features several kilometers of paved pathways.
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