Russian Palaces

[moody]

Petropavlofsk in Peter :flower: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Russia-/

[moody]

Saint Demetrious of Thessalonika

[moody]

This is where Tataric invasion stopped!!!

[Mandy]

The Winter Palace in Saint-Petersberg served as the tsarist residence.
From http://www.serzh.ru/index_en.html

[Mandy]

Peterhof (Petrodvorets) From http://stpetersburg-guide.com

Everybody knows a lot about Versailles in France, but have you ever heard of the Russian Versailles? It is no less famous and even more fantastic. The place is known as Peterhof (modern name is Petrodvorets) and it was founded as early as 1714 by Peter the Great. Peter saw Versailles when he traveled to France and was quite impressed. But he conceived his own fountain complex on a much grander scale. As I have already mentioned, the Northern War with Sweden was going on from 1700 till 1721. In 1709 there was a decisive battle near Poltava in Ukraine which was our brilliant victory and the turning point of the whole war. Peter wanted to commemorate this victory for ages and ages and he dedicated the whole complex of Peterhof to the victory over Karl XII. A lot of talented architects were working in Peterhof (which means "Peter's court" in Dutch). They created a magnificent ensemble that includes several palaces and three parks. The main attraction in Peterhof is its beautiful Lower Park with 150 fountains and four cascades. The main and the most amazing cascade called the Great Cascade is situated in front of the Great Imperial Palace which was the gala summer imperial residence for 200 years - from 1714 up until the October Revolution when the whole estate was nationalized by a special decree issued by Vladimir Lenin.

The Great Cascade consists of several fountains. The central and the most luxuriant one is "Samson, tearing apart the jaws of the lion". The whole composition of the fountain complex is devoted to the victory over Sweden. Samson symbolizes Russia defeating Sweden - the lion. The Great Cascade is decorated with gilded statues of ancient Greek and Roman gods and heroes, which all are allegories of different events of the Northern War. When the sun is shining, visitors are astonished at the site of the Great Cascade with its gilded figures glistening in the sun, springs of sparkling water and the whole glamour that is felt in everything.

[Mandy]

Peterhof (Petrodvorets) From http://stpetersburg-guide.com

Luxuriant are also the interiors of the Great Palace. Here you will find the richly decorated by F.-B. Rastrelli baroque halls of Elizabethan times (middle of the 18th century) with their gilded wood carvings, painted ceilings, inlaid parquet floors of precious kinds of wood, mirrors, tiled stoves and beautiful original furniture in the marquetry technique. At the same time there are halls which were redecorated by Y. Velten to the order of Catherine the Great in the classical style (1770s). You'll see less pompous but more elegant interiors with moldings to the stories of the Greek mythology, precious silk upholsteries, porcelain vases, beautifully decorated fireplaces, and much more. In the dining rooms on the tables which are laid to the fashion of those times you'll see famous services and tableware produced by Wedgwood and other renowned masters.

[Mandy]

Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin) From http://stpetersburg-guide.com

If the weather is not so wonderful and it's raining or snowing, or you just feel for something quiet and poetic rather than glorious, the best place to go is Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo). It is not to say that there is nothing to marvel at there. It's just… Well, all Russian poets loved Tsarskoe Selo! It has a magic spell over visitors. Our greatest poet ever - Alexander Pushkin (1799 - 1837) - lived and studied there for some time and wrote a lot of beautiful poems in this charming little place. Originally, these lands belonged to Peter !'s wife Catherine I. A modest palace was put up for her at the beginning of the 18th century (named Catherine's Palace after her), which was later redecorated by F.-B. Rastrelli for Elizabeth I in the baroque style.

Later it was the favorite summer residence of Catherine the Great (ruled 1762 - 1796), redecorated for her by the Scottish architect Charles Cameron in the classical style. Still, the palace retained its baroque exterior and that is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world! You won't be able to find palaces of this kind anywhere outside Russia. Inside, you'll find both pompous baroque and elegant classical interiors. Examples of both styles of the great empresses - Elizabeth and Catherine - can be observed in the palace. And - haven't you heard of the "stolen Amber Room"?! Would you like to see it restored as it was at the time of Rastrelli who decorated this interior?

There is also the park all around Catherine's Palace which is so pleasantly shady in summer, so flowery in spring and so poetic in autumn and winter. This place is for visiting all year round. There are a lot of quiet corners in the park where you will suddenly discover a lonely sculpture of a girl sitting on a rock in front of a broken jug with spring water flowing out of it; or a marvelous bridge resembling a temple, or just anything else - the park is full of surprises.

[Mandy]

Pavlovsk From http://stpetersburg-guide.com

Pavlovsk was the favorite summer residence of Paul I, son of Catherine II, and his wife Maria Fyodorovna. Paul and Maria were extremely intelligent and all-rounded people. They were friends of Louis XVI and his wife Maria-Antoinette. While traveling in Europe, the Russian couple stayed in Versailles and got a lot of precious gifts from the French king and his spouse. Many of these kingly presents are now on display in the Great Pavlovsk Palace put up by Charles Cameron and other architects in the classical style at the end of the 18th century.

The Pavlovsk Palace has most exquisite interiors decorated to the tastes of Paul and Maria. These interiors may not blind you with pomp, but for those who know and love this kind of things it will be a great pleasure to observe the Italian Hall, the Grecian Hall, the Hall of War and the Hall of Peace, the Libraries of Paul I and Maria Fyodorovna, the Boudoir, the Gala Bedroom, and the Tapestry Room decorated with very rare Gobelin tapestries from the famous Don Quixote series given to Paul I by Lois XVI. Such tapestries can be found only in one more place in the world - in Versailles.

The Pavlovsk Park is all beauty and peace. It is filled with the spirit of Russia. It is the second largest park in Europe after Richmond in England. It was laid out in the English landscape park style, unlike the parks in Peterhof and Tsarskoe Selo which were conceived as French regular gardens. You'll see the difference. In Pavlovsk the park resembles a forest, with a lot of trees, a river crossing huge fields, and a few pavilions lost somewhere on this vast territory. You'll be enchanted by these all-green surroundings that together with the Pavlovsk Palace are among our most cherished treasures.

[Mandy]

Here is a link to an article with more great pictures of The Palaces and Parks of Tsarskoe Selo, Pushkin Town Enjoy the tour! http://www.pushkin-town.net/.pushkin/eng/nowpark.htm

[semisquare]

i have a quick question-when the kings in russia live in their castles were did their court live, in the castle with the kings or did they have private homes?

[Danielle]

What a wonderful thread. I didn't even know it existed. :o Thanks to everyone for the photos and information. I just love Russian architecture and these castles are no exception. Very beautiful.

[King's Mistress]

Someone asked about Zolotoye Koltso.
Zolotoye Koltso is translated into English as "Golden Ring".
Golden Ring includes several russian towns. You can find their list here:
www.megakm.ru/goldenring
(chose "English" on the right top)

[drimal]

Originally Posted by Danielle

What a wonderful thread. I didn't even know it existed. :o Thanks to everyone for the photos and information. I just love Russian architecture and these castles are no exception. Very beautiful.

Russia is a very fascinating country and so are these castles! Very elegant and stylish.:o

[CasiraghiTrio]

Originally Posted by drimal

Russia is a very fascinating country and so are these castles! Very elegant and stylish.:o

Russian history is my specialty and my passion. I have just discovered this wonderful area of the Royal Forums. I guess I was too engrossed in the Grimaldi and Windsor dramas to notice before. Thanks to ?Mandy? for posting the pics of Tsarskoe and Peterhof. Those are my favorite Russian palaces, especially Peterhof, isn't it fabulous?

[Warren]

Originally Posted by CasiraghiTrio

Russian history is my specialty and my passion. I have just discovered this wonderful area of the Royal Forums. I guess I was too engrossed in the Grimaldi and Windsor dramas to notice before. Thanks to ?Mandy? for posting the pics of Tsarskoe and Peterhof. Those are my favorite Russian palaces, especially Peterhof, isn't it fabulous?

Yes, surprising what one can find in the darker corners of the Forums! As to Peterhof, even more amazing to remember that the Germans blew it up before retreating (why??), and what we see today is a reconstruction/restoration. Like a phoenix from the ashes...

[susan alicia]

remember being shown by an arthistorian an old book with pictures of rooms in a palace of catherine the great, the furniture in the rooms were hilarious and unbelievable. She could not have invited woman in those rooms, only her lovers. All the furniture was made by french craftsmen who also made more ordinary furniture.
Thought it was blown up by the communists because it was too decadent and I cannot remember the name of the palace, have always wondered how it survived so long. Imagine Nicholas whispering to Alexandra about the interior decoration of the rooms.

Originally Posted by Warren

Yes, surprising what one can find in the darker corners of the Forums! As to Peterhof, even more amazing to remember that the Germans blew it up before retreating (why??), and what we see today is a reconstruction/restoration. Like a phoenix from the ashes...

[CasiraghiTrio]

Originally Posted by susan alicia

remember being shown by an arthistorian an old book with pictures of rooms in a palace of catherine the great, the furniture in the rooms were hilarious and unbelievable. She could not have invited woman in those rooms, only her lovers. All the furniture was made by french craftsmen who also made more ordinary furniture.
Thought it was blown up by the communists because it was too decadent and I cannot remember the name of the palace, have always wondered how it survived so long. Imagine Nicholas whispering to Alexandra about the interior decoration of the rooms.

It could have been Peterhof, I suppose. I believe Peterhof was Catherine the Great's favorite residence, was it not? It would make sense anyway. She did not like being far from St. Petersburg and as Peterhof isn't exactly in the city, she had plenty of grounds to "ride" her horses!

[Mapple]

Originally Posted by susan alicia

remember being shown by an arthistorian an old book with pictures of rooms in a palace of catherine the great, the furniture in the rooms were hilarious and unbelievable. She could not have invited woman in those rooms, only her lovers. All the furniture was made by french craftsmen who also made more ordinary furniture.
Thought it was blown up by the communists because it was too decadent and I cannot remember the name of the palace, have always wondered how it survived so long. Imagine Nicholas whispering to Alexandra about the interior decoration of the rooms.

Hmm... I've always thought that Catherine the Great was not too keen on extravaganza. Actually, she was not amused by the over-ornate Catherine Palace in Tsrskoye Selo and ordered another palace to be built there as her personal residence.

As for the Communists, they certainly did not blow up anything in Peterhof; the Germans, however, destroyed several fountains and set off several explosive charges in the Palace itself before retreating in 1944.

[susan alicia]

the legs of the tables and chairs were excact replica's of that part of man she loved best

Originally Posted by Mapple

Hmm... I've always thought that Catherine the Great was not too keen on extravaganza. Actually, she was not amused by the over-ornate Catherine Palace in Tsrskoye Selo and ordered another palace to be built there as her personal residence.

As for the Communists, they certainly did not blow up anything in Peterhof; the Germans, however, destroyed several fountains and set off several explosive charges in the Palace itself before retreating in 1944.

[Mapple]

Originally Posted by susan alicia

the legs of the tables and chairs were excact replica's of that part of man she loved best

Hm... Never heard anything like that, although there exists a great many of the 'Catherine Tales', so to say. :) What palace could it be? The Chinese Palace in Oranienbaum?