Oranienbaum - sights. How to get to Oranienbaum

Among suburban residences located in the suburbs of North Palmira, Oranienbaum stands out. Its sights were included in the art complex created by the inspired work of famous architects, talented craftsmen, painters and masters of decorative and applied art of the XVIII century and occupying a special place in the history of Russian and world culture.

Oranienbaum

In 1707, lands near the confluence of the Karasta River in the Gulf of Finland were granted to Peter the Great (his emperor) by his companion Alexander Menshikov, then governor of Ingermanlandia, who had retired to the Russian Empire after the end of the Northern War. By order of the Emperor's favorite on the coastal area opposite the island of Kotlin, the architects G. Schödel and D. Fontana erected the Grand Palace, almost inferior to its splendor the palace of the emperor in Peterhof. Here, the Lower Garden was designed, one of the first in Russia. Around the suburban residence of Alexander Menshikov, named after Oranienbaum, there was a homonymous palace suburb.

The origin of the unusual name is trying to explain by different versions. One of the legends says that here during the favorite of Peter I there was an orange garden (Oranienbaum in translation from German - an orange tree). On the terraces and open staircases of the Great Palace, in the summer time, a curiosity for the North was exhibited in the tubs - evergreen citrus plants.

History of the residence

In its history, which numbered more than 300 years, the residence was replaced by many owners, and the settlement received the status of the city.

In 1743, the residence was donated to Peter III, who ascended the throne in 1761. After the palace coup in 1762, Catherine II built a palace in Oranienbaum, which entered In the complex "Own Dacha". The buildings of its buildings were the only examples of the Rococo architectural style, represented in Russia.

Since 1796 the country residence was the property of the imperial family and was passed on to the next generations. Before the revolution, its last owners were the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Strelitzky.

After the events of 1917, part of the buildings of the historical and architectural monument were transferred to the Forest Technical School based in Oranienbaum territory. In some palaces, particularly in Chinese, museums were opened. In 1948 the city was renamed Lomonosov. "Oranienbaum" (as the name) was preserved only for the historical complex. Assignment of the city to the name of the great Russian scientist was not accidental. Here, nearby, in the village of Ust-Ruditsa, was his homestead, and a laboratory for the preparation of colored glass.

In the postwar period Oranienbaum came to desolation, its serious restoration began only in the late 90's.

In 2007, a unique complex was introduced into the State Museum-Reserve "Peterhof". It should be noted that in the suburbs of St. Petersburg the historical-architectural ensemble "Oranienbaum", the sights that were not destroyed during the Second World War and preserved its historical authenticity, whom Complete the sequence Representative residences of the Peterhof road.

Architectural and landscape complex

The palaces and parks of Oranienbaum are three art ensembles, created during the XVIII century. In their creation, an exceptional role played by Antonio Rinaldi. The manner of the Italian architect was distinguished by rationalism, intertwined with conservatism. In Oranienbaum, his works are the Chinese Palace, the Opera House, the Palace of Peter III and the "Roller Coaster".

All the park facilities make up a kind of composition that is divided into the Lower Garden with the Menshikov Palace and the Upper Park with its many historical monuments.

The unique buildings of the Petrine era

The construction of the Grand Palace and the creation of the Lower Park around it, the distinctive feature of which is the architectural and artistic unity, was the beginning of the creation of the Oranienbaum complex. The sights of this part of the architectural complex, in addition to the Menshikov Palace, include the Catherine's Corps, Monplaisir Palace, Marley's Palace, the Sea Canal and the most beautiful avenues of fountains.

All of them have survived to our time. The Great Palace itself, despite repeated alterations, did not change its appearance much. He always remained close to his original design, which allows him to be ranked among the unique buildings of the Petrine era.

Landscape art

In the landscape art of that time have already tried to depart from the principles of regular breaking down of gardens. When creating the Upper Park, Rinaldi managed to achieve a smooth transition of one of its stylistic parts to another. The talented master took into account the peculiarities of the picturesque area, which distinguishes Oranienbaum. The park, consisting of its own dacha and the Peterstad ensemble, has come together. There are no strict lines, neatly trimmed tree crowns, typical for regular planning. But clearly there is a harmonious unity in which the complex geometric patterns of avenues, plazas, the water maze of ponds and artificial lakes, connected by channels, merge of wild nature and unique architecture have merged. The latter is represented by an inimitable combination of the Rococo style with elements of just emerging classicism.

Artistic design. Synthesis of beauty and expediency

An exceptional feature of the Upper Park is that its layout and designs of all the buildings in it are made by one architect. The artistic design of Rinaldi combined the magic of synthesis of beauty and expediency. The mixture of different styles in the decor, the combination of regular and landscape principles, the equal participation of the methods of both directions is distinguished by Oranienbaum, the sights of which harmoniously blend into a single whole with the landscape, striking with its beauty and grandeur.

Architectural and artistic ensembles of the park

In the depths of the Upper Park, the Chinese palace is opened, which is part of the Own Dacha complex. It is interesting that originally the building was called the "Dutch house". The new name appeared later and is due more to the fashion for "Chinese". The interior of the palace is decorated in the spirit of Chinese and Japanese art.

The complex of the Own Villa also includes the famous Pergola arbor, consisting of 54 pylons and a stone staircase descending to the water. It was created in the XIX century and is an excellent decoration of the garden and park architecture of the time. Pergola was erected on the site of the Coffee House, which was never implemented in the life of Rinaldi.

The attention is attracted by the "Rolling Hill", which is a grandiose park construction. Here, the courtiers were entertained by skating from the ice hills, one after the other and making up 532 meters in length. Traditional folk entertainment was available in the summer.

The construction of the "Stone Hall" was probably intended for concerts. Currently, there are an interactive cinema and an exhibition of interior and park sculpture.

In the Upper Park you can also see the Cavalier Corps, the Honored Gate, the pavilion called the "Chinese Cuisine".

Petrovsky Park

Petrovsky Park is another creation of Rinaldi. His layout was conducted with the participation of the master Lamberti. When it was created on the principle of Italian gardens, regular elements were also used. Numerous cascades and terraces are interspersed with miniature pavilions, among them - a two-story Hermitage, Solovyovaya gazebo, a Chinese house.

Now Petrovsky park is executed in a landscape style. Its composition basis is the Karasta River, Upper and Lower Ponds.

How to get to Oranienbaum?

The royal residences in the vicinity of St. Petersburg are included in a variety of sightseeing tours. You can visit them yourself, if you know in advance how to get there.

Oranienbaum is located in the city of Lomonosov, located 40 kilometers from the northern capital. It is best to get here from the south-eastern part of the city. So, to the railway station "Oranienbaum" (in Lomonosov), you can get from the metro station "Avtovo" on a fixed-route taxi K-424a, bus number 200; From the station "Prospect Veterans" - by bus number 343. From the Baltic station to Lomonosov, electric trains are regularly sent.

Earlier from Kronstadt the museum-reserve could be reached by ferry, now it is easier to get by bus №175.

Portable Travel Guide

At the entrance to the park there is a map with the key places that Oranienbaum is famous for. The photo plan will help you plan your excursion correctly. It is worth paying attention to the instructions for downloading the portable guide to the park - this is the electronic application "Park Oranienbaum." It has a plan, a coat of arms, information about the history of the complex and a small video.