Mon Repos Park St. Petersburg Celebrates 250th Anniversary
Mon Repos Park, translated from French as “my rest”, is 250 years old today. The landscaped gardens span 180 hectares.
It has been called “a model of the universe”, and before Vyborg was joined to Russia it was one of the wonders of Finland. Its praises thundered across Europe.
Philosophers, writers and even Emperor Alexander II took walks along the park's much celebrated paths.
[Eugene Trufanov, Mon Repos Museum-Estate Director]:
“We tried to revive its romantic, solitary nature, and then educate the visitors."
There was everything in Mon Repos: the world's end, the hermitage, healing springs and alcoves. Even ancient temples grace the gardens, devoted to different virtues.
[Michael Kostolomov, Mon Repos Senior Science Associate]:
"You are now standing in such a unique place in the world. Behind my back there is a temple of Neptune, the temple of the ancient Roman god, which does not have an altar, because the church is the entirety of nature."
The heyday of the park is connected with the 19th century poet and writer Baron Ludwig Nicolai, one of the owners of the estate.
This garden is his finest creation. Romantic spirit is reflected in every corner of the park.
[Alla Matvienko, Vyborg Resident]:
"This is a wonderful place, this place is romantic. This is a place of silence and reflection. Everything is real here. There is no repetition in this park; a new landscape is at every step. The family of Baron Nicolai has perfected his garden for almost two centuries. Even smells and sounds, such as the rustling of leaves, the lapping of waves and babbling of brooks play an important role. These granite outputs "rappakivi" of Karelian Isthmus can’t be heard anywhere else.”
[Vladimir Matveyev, Hermitage Deputy Director]:
"Mon Repos Park is absolutely unique. There is some kind of unity between the sky, water, rocks and trees."
Mon Repos Park is located on the border of Russia and has survived two wars, while suffering no loss to its wonders.
It has been called “a model of the universe”, and before Vyborg was joined to Russia it was one of the wonders of Finland. Its praises thundered across Europe.
Philosophers, writers and even Emperor Alexander II took walks along the park's much celebrated paths.
[Eugene Trufanov, Mon Repos Museum-Estate Director]:
“We tried to revive its romantic, solitary nature, and then educate the visitors."
There was everything in Mon Repos: the world's end, the hermitage, healing springs and alcoves. Even ancient temples grace the gardens, devoted to different virtues.
[Michael Kostolomov, Mon Repos Senior Science Associate]:
"You are now standing in such a unique place in the world. Behind my back there is a temple of Neptune, the temple of the ancient Roman god, which does not have an altar, because the church is the entirety of nature."
The heyday of the park is connected with the 19th century poet and writer Baron Ludwig Nicolai, one of the owners of the estate.
This garden is his finest creation. Romantic spirit is reflected in every corner of the park.
[Alla Matvienko, Vyborg Resident]:
"This is a wonderful place, this place is romantic. This is a place of silence and reflection. Everything is real here. There is no repetition in this park; a new landscape is at every step. The family of Baron Nicolai has perfected his garden for almost two centuries. Even smells and sounds, such as the rustling of leaves, the lapping of waves and babbling of brooks play an important role. These granite outputs "rappakivi" of Karelian Isthmus can’t be heard anywhere else.”
[Vladimir Matveyev, Hermitage Deputy Director]:
"Mon Repos Park is absolutely unique. There is some kind of unity between the sky, water, rocks and trees."
Mon Repos Park is located on the border of Russia and has survived two wars, while suffering no loss to its wonders.