Caption
"The park at
Sergievka was laid out at the beginning of the 18th century; at the beginning of the 19th century, regular planning was replaced with landscape planning. Memorial
oak trees,
Siberian firs and various uncommon trees have survived (after October 1917, the park at Sergievka was given to the Petrograd University Natural Scientific Institute). During the time of the Great Patriotic War (1941-45), the park and palace were demolished. Since 1965, restoration work has been carried out" - reported
article of Saint Peterburg Encyclopedia.
"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".