Field of Mars is a central St Petersburg park and former military parade ground, with broad paths, lawns and an Eternal Flame at its centre. The flame commemorates people who died in the city’s revolutions and wars; nearby memorials honour victims of the 1917 revolution. Come to walk beneath the trees, pause at the memorial or sit on a bench. The park is most inviting in summer, when its flower trees add colour and scent. In winter, its open lawns can feel bare.
From parade ground to public park
The ground that became Field of Mars was once marshy. Under Peter the Great, it was turned into a place for festivities and fireworks. Later, the area served as a training ground for imperial guards, and military parades became part of its history. During Empress Elizabeth’s reign, paths and trees gave the grounds a park-like character.
The name Field of Mars draws on the Roman god of war. A monument to military commander Aleksandr Suvorov, represented as Mars, was erected in 1801. The area was renamed in the early 19th century and became a setting for military parades. Its broad, open layout still reflects that past.
The Eternal Flame and memorials
In 1917, victims of the February Revolution were buried in the centre of the field. The park’s memorials honour those who died during the city’s revolutions, and the Eternal Flame was lit here in 1957 to remember people who lost their lives in revolutions and wars. Pause at the central memorial to take in the site’s commemorative purpose.
The field’s history also includes the Siege of Leningrad, when the grounds were used to grow vegetables. That period sits alongside its earlier roles as marshland, parade ground and place of public recreation. The park is an open memorial space, so a quiet and considerate visit suits its setting.
Walking the park
Wide paths cross the tidy, square-shaped grounds, with lawns, trees, benches, fountains and statues along the way. You can use the paths for a stroll or jog, or take a seat beneath the trees. In summer, flowering trees bring more colour and fragrance; in winter, the open grass can make the park feel sparse.
The park is in central St Petersburg, near the Neva and the Moyka River. Its northern surroundings include the Marble Palace and Suvorov Square; the Pavlovsky Regiment barracks lie to the west. Field of Mars works well as a quiet pause for a walk or picnic, with the memorial as the main point to visit. If you bring food, picnic without a fire or barbecue.
FAQ
What is the Eternal Flame at Field of Mars for?
It commemorates people who died in St Petersburg’s revolutions and wars. The flame was lit in 1957.
What can you see at Field of Mars?
The park has an Eternal Flame and memorials, along with broad paths, lawns, benches, fountains and statues.
When is a good time to visit Field of Mars?
Summer is a good choice for the flower trees and a greener walk. In winter, the open grounds can feel bare.
Can you have a picnic at Field of Mars?
Yes. You can picnic on the grass, but fires and barbecues are not permitted.
