If you were curious as to what a country manor of a tsar resembled in the early 17th century, Izmailovsky Park is a prime example.

Dotted with fresh pines and birch trees and threaded with rivers and ponds, much of the park’s charming greenery were built at the orders of Tsar Aleksey Mikhailovich in 1663. Some 700 peasant families moved in to lay down parks and gardens and plant exotic crops, while ponds were dug along the rivers. With such an attractive and breathtaking landscape, it is no wonder scores of visitors keep visiting this regal park.

The artificial Silver Island was created to serve as the home of the royal household, and Aleksei’s grandson Peter the Great learnt how to sail here. Today, you can still see the restored Pokhorovoskiy Cathedral on Silver Island, as well as the Ceremonial Gate and the Bridge Tower. A visit to the park can also be combined with a shopping trip at the Izmailovo Market.