City Garden

The City Garden is located on the slopes above the Dnipro River, between Khreshchatyi and Mariinskyi parks, and was established in 1743 based on a design by B. Rastrelli, commissioned by Empress Elizabeth. It is the oldest landscaped park in Kyiv, formerly known as Tsarskyi, City, and May Day Park.

The City Garden was part of the Mariinskyi Palace complex and in the 18th century was considered one of the finest parks in the Russian Empire. It was home to the famous "Valley of Roses." In 1863, the "Château-de-Fleurs" theatre was opened here, and in 1912 an agricultural exhibition (both buildings have not survived). During the construction of Petrovskyi Alley between 1902 and 1912, the park was partially divided, and in 1910, a metal Park Bridge was built over the alley.

A significant portion of the area is occupied by the Dynamo Sports Complex. Other notable landmarks include the "Lovers' Bridge" designed by E. Paton, the summer stage "Shell," a fountain, and monuments to Lesya Ukrainka, Mykhailo Hlinka, and Mariia Zankovetska.