New Holland Island in Saint Petersburg is a triangular man-made island in the Admiralteysky District, ringed by the Moika, the Kryukov Canal and the Admiralty Canal. For most of its history it was a naval timber yard and then a closed military zone.
Since it reopened to the public it has become a park with lawns, cafes, galleries and event spaces, set among red-brick warehouses. Entry is free. This guide explains what to look for, how the buildings relate to each other and how to include the island in a walk near the Mariinsky Theatre and St Isaac’s Cathedral.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Новая Голландия |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1719 |
| Architect(s) | Savva Chevakinsky and Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe (ensemble); the naval prison tower dates from 1829 |
| Address | набережная Адмиралтейского канала, 2, Санкт-Петербург OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Admiralteysky District |
| Metro | Admiralteyskaya (Line 5, About 15 minutes on foot via St Isaac's Square and Konnogvardeysky Boulevard) Sennaya Ploshchad (Line 2, A longer walk toward the Moika and the Kryukov Canal) |
| Opening hours | The island is a public park that opens in the morning and stays open until late evening, with longer hours on weekends. Cafes, galleries and halls on the island keep their own hours (as of October 2026 – check the official site). |
| Admission | Free to enter the island. Exhibitions and events inside some buildings may charge separately. |
| Best time to visit | Summer evenings and weekends are lively. Spring and autumn are calmer. Winter has fewer events but is quiet and good for a short walk. |
| Recommended duration | 1.5–2 hours |
| Website | newhollandsp.ru |
| Last updated | October 15, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The island and park | Included in the standard ticket | Free to enter and walk around. |
| Bottle building | Included in the standard ticket | Public cafes and venues; entry to the building is free. |
| Exhibitions and events | Separate ticket or institution | Some programmes have their own tickets. |
| Mariinsky Theatre | Outside / not part of it | A separate theatre across the canal. |
| St Isaac's Cathedral | Outside / not part of it | A separate attraction a short walk away. |
| Canal boat tours | Separate ticket or institution | Operated by boat companies. |
Why Visit New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg?
New Holland shows an industrial side of the imperial capital that most visitors never see: a naval timber yard laid out under Peter the Great, rebuilt in brick in the late eighteenth century.
The monumental arch over the canal and the round prison tower known as the Bottle are two unusual landmarks, and the island is small enough to walk in an hour or two.
It is free and open to everyone, with lawns, play areas and a rotating programme, which makes it a good place to rest between the big museums.
How New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg Is Laid Out
The island is a triangle. The main entrance is the New Holland Arch on the Admiralty Canal side, which opens onto a central pond and lawn. Brick warehouses and former barracks stand along the sides.
The round Bottle building sits at the western end, and the Foundry Building and the information centre are near the arch.
Enter through the arch, walk around the pond, and then follow the perimeter of the island. Cafes and exhibition spaces are in the old buildings, so you can stop whenever you like.
Highlights of New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg
The New Holland Arch
The red-brick arch over the canal, designed by Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe and built in the 1780s, is the main entrance and the best-known sight of the island. It is flanked by massive granite columns.
Canal boats pass through the arch on some routes.
Tip: Look at it from both sides: from the bridge and from the canal.
The Bottle
A ring-shaped naval prison built in 1829 on the western tip of the island. Its popular name comes from its shape.
Today the building holds cafes, shops and venues, and it is a public space.
Tip: Walk around the outside ring to see the round courtyard shape.
Brick warehouses
The ensemble of storehouses was built between 1765 and 1780 by Savva Chevakinsky and Vallin de la Mothe to store ship timber.
Many of the buildings have been restored as galleries, cafes and event spaces.
Tip: Look at the brick arcades and the roof lines rather than only the central lawn.
The pond and lawn
At the centre of the island, a pond and wide lawn serve as the main gathering place. Park furniture, play areas and event spaces are spread around.
It is where most outdoor events take place.
Tip: Bring a picnic blanket in summer; people sit on the grass.
Industrial history
The island housed a naval radio station during the First World War and was a closed zone in Soviet times, with warehouses of the Leningrad Naval Base.
It reopened to the public in the early 2010s.
Tip: The information centre can give a map and an overview of the buildings.
Atmosphere
The island is calm, open and a little industrial. Brick walls glow orange in the evening, and the pond reflects the sky.
In the morning it is quiet with dog walkers and joggers. Afternoons bring families, students and groups sitting on the grass. In summer the lawn is full, there is music from the venues and a smell of coffee and grilled food. In winter, the island has a ice rink atmosphere and quieter paths.
History of New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg
The Kryukov and Admiralty canals were dug in the early eighteenth century to bring timber for the shipyards, and the triangular island between them was named New Holland, after the Dutch shipyards that were the model for the Admiralty area. Its founding is dated to 1719.
For decades the island held wooden sheds for ship timber. Between 1765 and 1780 the architects Savva Chevakinsky and Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe replaced them with brick storehouses, and Vallin de la Mothe designed the monumental arch over the canal.
In 1829 a ring-shaped naval prison was built on the western spit. Its popular name, the Bottle, comes from its shape. An experimental testing pool for ship models was built in 1894.
During the First World War a powerful naval radio station was installed on the island. In Soviet times the island was a closed zone with warehouses of the Leningrad Naval Base.
After years of discussion, the island was transferred to a revitalisation project in 2010, and the first partial opening to the public took place in 2011. Today the restored buildings house cafes, exhibition halls and lecture spaces, and the island is a public park.
Legends and Myths about New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg
The birthplace of Peter's first structures
Legend – historically unreliable. One story says that the Foundry Building, designed by Savva Chevakinsky, was the birthplace of Peter the Great's first structures.
The claim appears in popular accounts but is not firmly documented, so it should be read as local tradition.
Tickets and Booking for New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg
No ticket is needed for the island. Entry is free during opening hours.
- Events and exhibitions may be ticketed separately.
- Venues such as cafes and galleries keep their own hours and rules.
Check the island’s official website (newhollandsp.ru) for the current programme and any rules for events.
Plan and Book
Suggested Itineraries for New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg
1 hour
Enter through the arch, walk around the pond and see the Bottle, then leave across the canal bridge.
2 hours
Add a stop in a cafe, a look at one exhibition and a walk around the perimeter of the island.
Half day
Combine the island with the Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg, the Kryukov Canal and Saint Isaac's Cathedral, Saint Petersburg.
How to Get to New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg
The island is on the Admiralty Canal embankment, about fifteen minutes on foot from Admiralteyskaya (Line 5). From St Isaac’s Cathedral, walk along Konnogvardeysky Boulevard to the canal.
- Canal boats pass the arch on some routes.
- Taxis can drop you at the arch entrance.
Accessibility
The island is mostly flat, with paved paths and some cobbled sections. Check the official website for details of access to specific buildings.
Food Nearby
The island has cafes and restaurants in the old buildings, including in the Bottle. More options are on the streets toward the Mariinsky Theatre.
What to Bring
A layer for the wind from the canals, and a blanket if you want to sit on the lawn in summer.
Best Views and Photo Spots of New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg
The arch from the canal bridge
The red-brick arch framed by water and granite columns.
Best time: Morning.
The central pond
Warehouses reflected in the pond with the sky above.
Best time: Golden hour.
The Bottle
The ring-shaped building seen from the lawn.
Best time: Evening.
Brick arcades
Rows of arches and warm brick walls.
Best time: Low sun.
Photography Rules
Photography is allowed in the open park. Check rules inside venues and exhibitions. Drone use in the city centre is regulated.
Family Suitability
A good place for families, with open space, play areas and cafes. Strollers can use the main paths.
Russia Vibes Tips
- Enter through the arch rather than a side gate; the reveal is part of the visit.
- Come in the evening when the brick glows and the lawn is full.
- Check the programme before you go; events change the feel of the island.
- Combine the island with a canal walk toward the Mariinsky Theatre.
- Do not expect museum-style signage; the history is in the buildings.
Explore Nearby New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg
Sights near New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg
Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: An evening: about 3 hours for a performanceMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Saint Isaac's Cathedral, Saint Petersburg – about 1.0 km away (~17 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–2 hours for the cathedral interior; allow another 45–60 minutes for the colonnade.Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Saint Nicholas Naval Cathedral, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 30–45 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Bronze Horseman, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 20–40 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Palace Square, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 30–60 minutes, more with the HermitageMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Yusupov Palace, Saint Petersburg – about 600 m away (~10 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–2 hours for a standard palace route; approximately 2.5–3 hours for a comprehensive visit including the Rasputin exhibition.Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Admiralteysky District · All Landmarks · All Saint Petersburg · All Sightseeing · All Sightseeing in Saint Petersburg
FAQ: New Holland Island, Saint Petersburg
Is New Holland a real island?
Yes. It is man-made, surrounded by the Moika, the Kryukov Canal and the Admiralty Canal.
Is it free?
Entry to the island is free. Some events and exhibitions may be ticketed.
What is the Bottle?
A ring-shaped naval prison from 1829, now a public venue with cafes and shops.
Why is it called New Holland?
After the Dutch-style shipyards around the Admiralty.
How long do I need?
One to two hours.
Is it near the Mariinsky Theatre?
Yes, a short walk away.
Is it open in winter?
Yes, though with fewer events.
Can I enter the warehouses?
Some host cafes and galleries and are open to visitors.
Russia Vibes is a one-person project. A coffee keeps it going
Last updated: October 15, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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About this guide: AI assistance and accuracy
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