State complex "Palace of Congresses": address, description and photo

Every year, thousands of tourists visit St. Petersburg. As a rule, they inspect the popular sights of the city, for example the Hermitage or Peterhof. However, there are no less beautiful places here that were left without due attention of travelers. For example, the "Palace of Congresses" - a garden and palace complex, which is an architectural monument of the XVIII century. It is located near the city. This article will tell about the history of construction, location, modern condition of the palace.

Location and description of the complex

Konstantinovsky Palace is located 19 km from St. Petersburg, in the village of Strelna. Кикена и Стрелка. It is built on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland, and the park zone is located at the intersection of the rivers Kiken and Strelka. His address: Birch Alley, 3, the village of Strelna, St. Petersburg. Near the palace there is an extensive park area leading to the Gulf of Finland. Nearby is the hotel "Baltic Star" and a tour desk. Версалия ", павильона переговоров и коттеджного поселка "Консульская деревня". "Palace of Congresses" (Strelna) currently consists of the Konstantinovsky Palace, the park "Russian Versalia ", the pavilion of negotiations and the cottage village "Consular Village".

The easiest way to get there is by taxi. You can sit on it at the St. Petersburg bus station, the schedule allows you to leave early in the morning, afternoon and evening. There are also buses. Tourists can sit on them next to the metro station "Avtovo". You can reach the complex in only 20-25 minutes, if you do not accidentally get into a traffic jam. The amount of travel is standard, and buses run every 5-10 minutes. From the "Avtovo" to the palace can be reached by tram. However, the travel time will increase significantly and will be about 1 hour. You will need to get to the final tram route number 36.

History of occurrence

The park complex is one of the oldest buildings in St. Petersburg. Peter I, who chose a place located in the delta of two rivers, as his future residence, put his hand to its foundation. In 1709, he ordered the preparations for the construction of a new palace complex, which, according to his plans, was to surpass the beauty of French Versailles. However, the preparation of the future project was delayed. Чиприани , но его план оказался слишком сложным и дорогостоящим. At first it was developed by the Italian architect Sebastian Cipriani , but his plan was too complicated and expensive. Леблон . By 1715 he was replaced by the French architect Jean-Baptiste Leblon . However, he died in 1719, not having finished the project. Микелли , который и завершил архитектурный план. He was replaced by Italian Nicolo Michelli , who completed the architectural plan. Officially, the Konstantinovsky Palace was founded on May 22, 1720.

However, the implementation of the originally conceived project was not possible. Кикена . A serious problem was the insufficiently high water level in the Strelka and Kikena rivers . The water was necessary for the work of the fountains, which were to become the main decoration of the complex. To raise the water level to the desired level, builders would have to flood the vast territory of the basins of the two rivers. Because of expensive works, Peter I decided to move the residence to the nearby Peterhof, which was completely suitable for erecting a complex of fountains. By 1730 the work in Strelna had finally ceased. The "Palace of Congresses" remained unfinished.

Further development

The resumption of construction work began only in the 1750s. Бартоломео Растрелли , по проекту которого был также создан Зимний дворец. His erection began to deal with Bartolomeo Rastrelli , whose project also created the Winter Palace. The architect took up the re-planning of the complex, and according to his plan a large staircase was erected. Unfortunately, the construction of the complex was not completed again. The project was completed only towards the end of the 18th century. Руска , А. И. Штакеншнейдер , А. Н. Воронихин . It is known that the architects Luigi Ruska , AI Shtakenshneider , AN Voronikhin made a contribution to the creation of the Konstantinovsky Palace and nearby park buildings . Initially, the "Palace of Congresses" served as a residence for the emperors, but already in 1797 he lost his status when Paul I passed the complex to his son, Grand Duke Constantine.

Palace buildings were badly damaged in the fire of 1803. During the reconstruction of the building, a new gazebo and a parade suite were built. The house church was built already in the 1850s, when the palace was handed over to the youngest son of Emperor Nicholas I. Then there lived the Grand Duke Constantine Konstantinovich. For a time in the palace lived the Greek Queen Olga, who moved here after the murder of her husband. After the October Revolution, the building passed into the hands of the government. In 1937 a sanatorium was opened here. During the siege of Leningrad, the palace was completely destroyed by the Germans. It was restored only by 1950. In the future the corps of the Arctic School was located here.

Modern period

In 2000, the palace was transferred to the Office for Presidential Affairs. In the same year, large-scale reconstruction works began here. The state complex "Palace of Congresses" was to serve as the residence of the President of Russia, as well as for the receptions of government deligations of other countries. Its grand opening took place in 2003. Already in 2006, the G8 summit was held in the palace, where the leaders of France, Germany, the United States, Great Britain, Japan and other countries came. In 2013, the G-20 meetings were held here, which includes the leaders of states with the most developed economies.

On ordinary days the Konstantinovsky Palace is open for tourists. It is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. The day off here is Wednesday.

Excursions

Today, the "Congress Palace" (Strelna) is a protected area, which is accessible only to tourist groups. Excursions include an inspection of the main halls of the palace, artistic masterpieces located here, and the park adjacent to it. Separately, you can also look at the cottage village "Consular Village". For children, active games are carried out, including the search for treasures. Wine tastings are held regularly. It is worth knowing that the park is open to visitors only in the summer.

Draw conclusions

Complex "Palace of Congresses" (St. Petersburg) is worth a visit to all connoisseurs of St. Petersburg architecture of the XVIII and XIX centuries. It is located very near the center of St. Petersburg, so tourists can independently reach it. If you are not the first time visiting the city and do not know what else you can see, then the palace will be an excellent option for you.