The History of the Construction of the Ligovsky Canal, Its Storage Reservoirs and Water Towers (First Half of the 18th Century)

Based on the analysis of relevant publications and a large number of newly introduced archival documents, the history of the construction of the Ligovsky Canal and its two storage reservoirs and water towers is described. It is shown that these structures, built based on V. G. Tuvolkov’s original idea, became a successful implementation of the attempts to create a hydrotechnical water supply system for the fountains in the Summer Gardens and other imperial parks. The article analyzes Peter the Great’s mistake in drawing up the design assignment for the water towers; the conflict between M. G. Zemtsov and a Dutch master builder, Harmen van Bol’es, when designing these towers; the disastrous destruction of the Ligovsky Canal when water was first let into it in the summer of 1729; and the history of numerous repairs of the Ligovsky Canal. The dimensions of all hydrotechnical facilities involved in water supply to the Summer Garden fountains (water towers, storage reservoirs on their roofs, aqueducts that connected them, etc.) are provided as well as the information about who was involved in the repair and maintenance of the Ligovsky Canal, and how and by whom it was guarded. The question of how the Ligovsky Canal and the water towers were depicted on the St. Petersburg maps (“plans”) in the first half of the 18^th century is briefly considered.

Ligovsky Canal, storage pools, locks, aqueducts, water towers, fountains