The park was named Aleksandriya in honor of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Nicholas I.
The Cottage Palace features neo-Gothic interiors specifically chosen to create a cozy, non-palatial domestic atmosphere for the imperial family.
The Gothic Chapel was designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, a prominent Prussian architect.
The park was a private retreat where the Romanovs lived a secluded life away from the strict ceremonial protocol of the Winter Palace.
The Farm Palace was originally built as an agricultural building for the imperial farm before being expanded into a residential palace for future emperors.
The park layout deliberately avoids the axial, symmetrical designs typical of Baroque Russian imperial gardens.
The Chapel’s facade includes stained glass windows and stone sculptures imported from Berlin.
Park Aleksandriya is a landscape park in Petergof, distinguished as the private summer residence of the Romanov dynasty. Unlike the nearby Lower Park of Peterhof with its formal fountains, Aleksandriya was designed in the English landscape style, emphasizing naturalistic meadows and winding paths. The central architectural feature is the Cottage Palace, a neo-Gothic residence built by Adam Menelaws for Nicholas I and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. Other structures include the Gothic Chapel, which served as a family church for the Romanovs, and the Farm Palace. The park covers approximately 115 hectares along the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. The design reflects the romantic 19th-century preference for integrating architecture into woodland settings. Extensive restoration efforts have preserved the park's characteristic overgrown, tranquil aesthetic compared to the highly manicured imperial estates. It serves as an integral part of the Peterhof State Museum-Reserve.
The north-facing facade of the Cottage Palace with the Gulf of Finland in the background.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, as the park features unpaved forest paths and extensive grounds.
Check the park map near the entrance to locate the specific pathways leading to the Gulf of Finland coastline.
Combine your visit with the nearby Peterhof main fountain ensemble, but prioritize the morning for Aleksandriya to avoid large tour groups.
Do not mistake the tranquil Aleksandriya for the loud, fountain-heavy main Peterhof tourist route.
Park grounds are generally accessible year-round, but specific museum buildings within the park may operate on a seasonal schedule or close during winter months; check for weekly maintenance days.
Avoid walking on non-designated lawn areas; remain on marked paths to protect the landscape design.
