How many stories could these platforms tell? Pargolovo is more than just a station. It is a portal to a unique history. Nestled in the Vyborgsky District of Saint Petersburg, Pargolovo was once a northern suburb. It has now grown into a municipal settlement. Its name echoes from the Karelian Parkola.
Let’s step back to the 18th century. Empress Elizabeth gifted the Pargolovo manor to Peter Ivanovich Shuvalov in 1746. Thus, Pargolovo became the family seat of the Counts Shuvalov. Imagine the Baroque palace that once stood here. Stepan Krichinsky transformed it into a Neoclassical villa for Count Illarion Ivanovich Vorontsov-Dashkov.
Harald Julius von Bosse designed a smaller palace in the mid-19th century. This adds to the architectural tapestry of Pargolovo. The Shuvalov Park surrounds these estates. It features old ponds and the Yellow Dacha. Maximilian Messmacher designed this wooden lodge for his family. The Parnassus hill once offered views of the capital. It is a reminder of Pargolovo’s past prominence.
But let’s return to our Pargolovo station. This Art Nouveau building dates back to 1906. Ferdinand Brunelleschi and Granholm designed it. Consider the countless journeys that began and ended here. Think about the people who passed through Pargolovo.
In 1872, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov married Nadezhda Purgold in the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul. This highlights Pargolovo’s cultural connections. Just west of Pargolovo lies the Northern Cemetery. Established in 1874, it is the second largest in Saint Petersburg. Georgy Gapon and Vasily Vereshchagin are buried here.
Pargolovo’s population was 15852 in 2010. Pargolovo continues to evolve as a vital part of Saint Petersburg. The Lopukhin-Vyazemsky Palace and the Vorontsov-Dashkov Palace also reflect the area’s rich history. Next time you pass through Pargolovo station take a moment. Think about the stories these platforms could tell.