For those who cannot visit the excursion “Gardens of the Russian Museum during the Siege of Leningrad” this year, we offer a virtual version.

In early July, the Summer Garden is closed to visitors and a military unit is located in it. These were soldiers of one of the batteries of the 2nd Battalion of the 194th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment. This regiment was part of the 2nd Air Defense Corps, which defended Leningrad from air raids. Anti-aircraft guns and machine guns were installed on the Champ de Mars. And for storing ammunition and accommodating personnel, the Summer Garden was chosen. The centuries-old trees of the garden hid warehouses and vehicles from enemy aerial reconnaissance. In the Coffee and Tea Houses, barracks for the soldiers were arranged. Tents were set up for storing ammunition. The garden also housed a medical unit to provide first aid to wounded soldiers.

This is how the artist Alexander Eduardovich Black saw the Summer Garden in September 1941.
Enjoy your walks and excursions in the gardens of the Russian Museum. For the rest, we will post electronic versions.

#gardensoftheRussianMuseum #MikhailovskyGarden #summerGarden #RussianMuseum #rusmuseum_gardens #igardens #Glossary