A few years ago, a unique new attraction appeared on St. Isaac’s Square in Saint Petersburg — the Transformer Garden. What makes it special is that it’s only open during the warm season. Today, I’ll show you how the garden looks this year.
History of the Site
The Transformer Garden is located in the heart of Saint Petersburg’s tourist area, on the Blue Bridge. This green space is surrounded by some of the city’s most iconic landmarks: to the north stands the majestic St. Isaac’s Cathedral, to the south is the monument to Nicholas I, and further along is the Mariinsky Palace. On the eastern and western sides, you’ll find the historic Astoria and Angleterre hotels, as well as the former German Embassy building.
The garden itself is set on the territory of the Blue Bridge — the widest bridge in Saint Petersburg, measuring 97.3 meters across. For comparison, the nearby Red Bridge is only 42 meters wide.
The Blue Bridge got its name from the color of its railings. In the past, this crossing was first a wooden bridge, then an iron one. Just a few years ago, this spot was used as a car park — but now, it has become a new tourist highlight of the city on the Neva River.
The first Transformer Garden appeared here in 2023. That year, over a hundred containers with trees and various flowerbeds were installed on the site. The name “Transformer Garden” comes from the fact that the arrangement changes every year: trees and flowers aren’t planted in the ground but placed on the square during the warm season, allowing the composition to be reimagined each year. This year’s garden includes 170 trees, 2,500 shrubs, and 5,000 flowers. Garden benches are also available, making it a perfect spot to relax.
The opening of the garden is timed to the city’s anniversary, celebrated on May 27. According to officials, the garden will remain open until mid-autumn. Last year, for instance, it stayed open until October 8. Another notable feature of these seasonal spaces is that the plants aren’t discarded — instead, they’re replanted in other gardens and parks around the city.
Media sources report that this year’s garden design was funded with 70 million rubles. In 2024, the project cost was approximately 27.5 million rubles.
How to Get There by Metro
The closest metro stations to St. Isaac’s Square are Sadovaya and Admiralteyskaya — both are about a 10-minute walk from the garden. Entry to the green space is free.
If you plan to visit the Transformer Garden, it’s a great idea to combine your walk with a tour of the area’s landmarks. In addition to the attractions mentioned above, you’ll also find the A. A. Polovtsov Mansion and the Vladimir Nabokov Museum nearby.
Have a nice trip!
