Width 0.8 km (0.5 mi) | Length 2.1 km (1.3 mi) Highest elevation 18 m (59 ft) Area 94 ha | |
 | ||
Similar Central Park of Culture a, Yelagin Palace, Krestovsky Island, Krestovsky Ostrov, Kamenny Islands | ||
Yelagin Island (Russian: Елагин остров) is an island at the mouth of the Neva River which is part of St. Petersburg, Russia.
Contents
Map of Yelagin Island, St Petersburg, Russia, 197374
Yelagin Island is home to the Yelagin Palace but has a few other buildings as well.
Geography
It is a flat island located in the delta of the Neva River, between the Grand Nevka branch and the Central 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.
History
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 Russian Freemasonry. The palace was built in 1786 in the eastern section of the island.
In 1817 the island was bought for 350,000 rubles by the Imperial Cabinet on behalf of the Russian Monarchy. The following year the palace grounds underwent a thorough redesigning and restructuring led by architect Carlo Rossi. The works lasted four years and included a vast English landscape garden with a system of canals, bridges and ponds, as well as grottoes and gazebos.
Formerly off-limits for most local people, after the Russian Revolution, the isle was opened to the public as an urban park which still bears the name of Sergei Kirov.
Current use
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.