Founded on the order of Peter the Great in 1706, these gardens are over 300 years old. Over the years, the gardens have witnessed all the turns of history, falling into disrepair during the soviet years. Major reconstruction works were carried out in the 1900s.

Since 1805, it has belonged to the Moscow State University as part of the Biology Faculty. There is another (now - principal) territory of the Botanic Garden of Moscow University on Vorobiovy Gory (Sparrow Hills) near the main campus of the University (not open to general public).

Among the highlights there are a number of old trees, some of which are the oldest specimens of their taxa in Moscow.

A Shadow (Woodland) Garden with over 150 species of shade-tolerant herbaceous perennials.Collections of ferns, Syringa, Philadelphus and tree peonies.

A collection of hardy ericaceous plants including many Rhododendrons - the Heather Hill.

Pergola with climbers, including some unusual Far-Eastern species.

Historic glasshouses (the oldest standing part dates back to 1891) with several climatic sections and regional collections.

In the Palm House, there are some centuries-old palms and a cycad thought to be over 200 years old (reputedly, it was given to the garden in early XIX century by heir