
Park at Sergievka
Petergof, 34 km west of Saint Petersburg, Russia
October 19, 2012, 12:13 UTC (16:13 local time)
© 2012 Andrew Varlamov, All Rights Reserved.
"Sergievka Park State Complex Nature Monument with the total area of 120 ha was founded in 1992. It is situated on two coastal terraces of the Gulf of Finland, also covering the coast and 10 ha of the gulf waters. Relative height of the upper terrace above the sea level is 15 to 20 meters. Main part of the monument is occupied by the landscape style park that was created in the beginning of XIX century in the heart of primary forest. Some buildings of the palace ensemble designed by architect A. Stackensneider are still well-preserved. Deep ravines with water streams, small footbridges, artificial ponds, and cascade dams beautify the landscape. Great variety of Nature Monument’s vegetation is due to landscape peculiarities and the land’s history. The park was damaged during the World War II; without proper maintenance it has gradually started getting the features of primary forest, especially the areas that were far from the gulf. Fragments of coniferous, mixed coniferous-birch and coniferous-broad-leaved forests can be found on the upper terrace now. Broad-leaved forests with lime-trees, maples, oaks, ash-trees, and some pine and spruce trees cover the cliff and lower terrace. It is peculiar that there are some nemoral plant species in the herbaceous layer of these forests, such as common lungwort, fumewort, etc. Small glades and corn meadows with picturesque solitary old trees can be found in the forests. There are black alder swamps, coastal marshes, and reed thickets on the gulf coast and on the shoals. In general, about 500 plant species were reported for this Nature Monument. Sergievka Park’s fauna is also of great scientific interest. More than 100 species of birds and 34 species of mammals were reported for it. The following endangered and protected species inhabit the park: pond bat, Brandt’s bat, noctule, particoloured bat, harvest mouse, root vole, bittern, green woodpecker, white-backed woodpecker, etc. Sergievka Park Nature Monument is inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List as a part of Historic Center of Saint-Petersburg with its Environs" - reported book "Protected nature of Saint Petersburg".
Lat: 59° 53' 35.16" N
Long: 29° 50' 24" E
Elevation: 15m
Precision is: Medium. Nearby, but not to the last decimal.
Lens: smc PENTAX-DA Fish-Eye 1:3.5-4.5 10-17mm ED (IF)
Tripod: Manfrotto 190XB
Panohead: Nodal Ninja 5
Sound recorder: Pentax Optio 450 Digital Camera
PC Software: PTGui Pro 9.1.6 by New House Internet Services B.V. (dated by November 20, 2012), Pano2QTVR Pro Flash version 1.6.6 by Thomas Rauscher