Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Ostankino Park (Gardens)

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Ostankino Park Plan, 1793
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Ostankino Park (gardens) were first constructed three centuries ago, at the end of the 16th century. The park was planted with Fruit trees, Oaks, and Siberian Cedars. This land was originally owned by the Schtelkalov family and this park was restored by Knyas' (Knight) Cherkasky in 1646. After 1745, the park was redesigned with paths, and a geometric design that had a perspective view. Considering that linear perspective was not yet consciously understood in Russia, this use of "perspective view" most likely meant a "beautiful view" (not a scenographic 'linear-perspective' view). The main path led to an orangerie, with a geometric network of side paths, designed and completed by Karl Rainert in 1754. By 1761, there were five orangeries, including hothouses (glass greenhouses) and hoop-greenhouses (polytunnels) that supported apples, plums, grapes, pineapples, nut trees (including almonds), lemons, Seville Orange trees, Bay trees, olive trees, melons, flowers (including thousands of roses, daffodils, jasmine, flox, stock, carnations, tulips, aloe, and medical herbs). The paths were lined with berries (barberries, gooseberries) and cherry trees. In addition, there were furrowed green-vegetable gardens, which also included strawberries, raspberries, and many currants. These gardens provided vegetables, conserves, wine, etc. Indeed, later, Sheremetev gave holiday gifts from these gardens to Imperatriza (Empress) Catherine the Great, and Knyas' (Prince) Potemkin, and other officials.

In 1795, under serf-architect Mironov as directed by Sheremetev, the garden design changed from a geometric design based upon linear lines and circles (Renaissance), to an English landscape garden style (very naturalistic) similar to the gardens of Capability Brown, populated by Elm and Maple trees, and the previous Oaks and Siberian Cedars, all among grassy swards, the paths also lined by Elms and Maples. The vegetable gardens having been removed. Also, a pond was created with fingers of land projecting into the pond, the earth from the pond being used to create a "mount" or "Parnassus" with a kiosk in Classical Greek style with columns. A small river named the "Kamenka" was created with several springs, and six decorative ponds surrounded by many beautiful plants.

Elizarova, N. A.; "Ostankino", Art publisher, Moscow, 1966, pp. 47-53

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