New Holland – two man-made islands located in the historical center of St. Petersburg. They were created in 1719 as a result of the construction of two canals: Kryukov and Admiralteysky. The name is attributed to Peter I. Initially, Holland referred to a place near the Admiralty where timber for shipbuilding was stored, and then the warehouses were moved to the two islands, which came to be known as New Holland. Additionally, New Holland was the first Russian military port.
The main architectural complex of New Holland was built between 1765 and 1780 in early classicism forms. The project was initially designed by S. I. Chevakinsky. Later, French architect Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe was involved, and he is credited with the facade finishes and the famous classical arch. This arch is made of an unusual combination of brick and cut granite, standing 23 meters high and 8 meters wide.
In 1820, the sea prison building in the shape of a ring was built according to Staubert's design. It was popularly nicknamed "the Bottle." It is said that the famous phrase "to get into a bottle" originated from this. Much later, in the 19th century, a forge building was constructed nearby. In 1893, a research basin for shipbuilding studies was built in New Holland. During World War I, the most powerful military radio station of that time was constructed on the island, which the Bolsheviks later used for information warfare.
Throughout the 20th century, the island gradually fell into disrepair. Various services of the Baltic Fleet were located there. In 2004, New Holland was transferred to the administration of St. Petersburg, and a competition was announced for restoration work. One of the competition's conditions was to transform the island into a multifunctional public and business complex. On July 16, 2011, New Holland was opened to the public for the first time, and since August 27, 2016, the island has been open for year-round visits.
How to get there
You need to get to one of the following metro stations: Admiralteyskaya, Sennaya, Spasskaya, or Sadovaya. Then walk about 2 km. During the walk, you have a great opportunity to enjoy the magnificent architecture of St. Petersburg.
What to see
Commandant's House: One of the latest buildings in the island ensemble. For a long time, it was not considered an architectural monument. Once the residence of the island commandant's family, it now houses the creative industries school "Mayak."
"Bottle": As mentioned earlier, this was the site of the prison. Now it is a multifunctional complex. The first floor houses numerous restaurants. The second floor has shops selling various interesting items, from comics to eco-friendly children's toys. The third floor is occupied by beauty industry establishments. During the building's restoration, many decorative elements were restored, such as the limestone steps and ornate cast-iron railings.
Forge: The building, designed by architect Mikhail Posypkin, sits on the site of a forge dating back to Peter I. At the time of restoration, the building was in very poor condition compared to the rest of the architectural ensemble. However, after all the work was completed, it now houses two cozy restaurants.
Park area: This area includes a stage for various musical events. The herb garden, with its perennials, allows you to feel away from the city's hustle and bustle. The children's playground "Frigate" is built in the shape of a real ship, 26 meters long and 6 meters high, where children can be entertained for hours. There is also a separate playground for the youngest visitors. Additionally, New Holland has a special pavilion for lectures, exhibitions, and other events.
If you have enough time for a walk, you can also stroll to the sphinxes, the Bronze Horseman, St. Isaac's Cathedral, or even to the Peter and Paul Fortress.
In summary:
- A great place for family recreation;
- An opportunity to try various gastronomic delights;
- Interesting lectures to listen to.
