Right by the Kremlin lies the magnificent Alexander Garden - a place known to all Muscovites and visitors to Russia's capital. Its convenient location near many attractions, well-kept lawns and luxurious flower beds, wide alleys and shady trees make it a wonderful place to relax.
The park covers ten hectares - quite enough to wander among the trees in the very center of Moscow and escape the city noise. There are always plenty of people here who want to relax and have fun. In spring and summer, it is pleasant to bask in the sunshine here, and in winter, to go sledding down the hills that are built every year especially for this purpose.
As the name suggests, Alexander Garden was laid out by decree of Emperor Alexander I at the beginning of the 19th century, when Moscow was recovering from the destruction left by Napoleon's army. The project by architect Osip Bove envisioned three sections - the Upper, Lower and Middle Gardens. Nowadays this division is more conventional than official, although the entrance to the Lower Garden is closed to visitors.
In the Upper Garden, you can see the Ruins grotto, which serves as a reminder of the Patriotic War of 1812. Also at the entrance to the garden are the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame - a memorial complex in honor of those who died during the Great Patriotic War.
The Kremlin museum ticket offices are located in the Middle Garden.
