The Summer Gardens are almost of the same age as the city itself. It might date back to the early 1704, when on the order of Peter I they started to bring saplings of various trees, flower seeds marble statues, columns, etc., to Petersburg from all parts of Russia and Europe. Peter I took special care acquiring the scuiptures that were not only to decorate the garden but to glorify the transformations he was introducing into the state system. According to the tsar's directions statues were bought or ordered in Europe, especially in Venice, famous for its sculptors. At present among the 250 sculptures decorating the garden there are about 90 statues and busts that make up a genuinely unique collection of Italian Baroque sculpture, performed by P.Baratta, D.Bonazza, F.Cabianca and others. Among them there are allegorical images of the professions most respected by Peter 1, such as Architecture and Navigation. Some of the statues, including Justice, Abundance, Charity and Truth personify essential components of wise government. Glory, Minerva and Belonna glorify military valor. The Peace and Abundance sculptural group is an allegory of the