The entrance to these charming gardens is opposite the Historical Museum at the Kremlin’s wrought – iron Corner Arsenal Gate. On your way there take note of the Statue of Marshal Georgy Zhukov, a World War II hero, who gazes proudly from his horse onto Manezh Square. The Alexandrov Gardens were laid out on the banks of the Neglinnaya River Osip Bovet from 1819 to 1822 for Alexander I. They later became Moscow’s first public garden. The river was later diverted by a system of pipes to flow beneath the park. An eternal flame burns before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, who died for his country during World War II. It was unveiled on May 8th, 1967, on the eve of Victory Day.
It is a tradition for newlyweds on their wedding day to lay flowers on the tombstone, on which is inscribed: “Your name is unknown, your feat immortal. To the fallen 1941 – 45”. Along the alley in front of the tomb are blocks of red porphyry that hold earth from “Hero Cities” designated after World War II, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. Also in the gardens are a memorial to the War of 1812 and a granite obelisk with the names of the world’s great revolutionaries and thinkers. The latter was originally erected in 1913 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty. On Lenin’s orders in 1918, the double – headed eagle was replaced by the obelisk.
The central alley of the Alexandrov Gardens leads to the Troitsky Bridge that approaches the entrance to the Kremlin.