Peter the Great founded the Summer Garden in 1704. Peter himself took part in the design of the garden, which was modeled after the gardens at Versailles. It is much less formal than it used to be and you will find couples strolling leisurely among the street performers. If you try to walk or sit on the grass however, a surly looking man blows a whistle and yells at you.

 

The fancier building is the Summer Place designed for Peter by Domenico Trezzini. This was his "small" residence.

The other building is the Coffee Pavilion. It was designed by Carlo Rossi in 1826. A potentially beautiful building. it has seen better days.