Vorontsov Palace in the Crimea. Vorontsov Palace in Alupka

The magnificent structure, created in the era of Romanticism, surprises and amazes modern man with the peculiarity of architectural forms. An interesting stylistic solution, an original layout, the greatest skill with which the walls and all the furnishings of the inner chambers are executed, has been already fascinating for several generations of connoisseurs of beauty.

The Vorontsov Palace in Crimea is a most valuable monument of history and architecture. When it was created, the local landscape was skillfully used, which gives the impression that the building is a continuation of nature itself.

M. S. Vorontsov - Russian statesman

Mikhail Semenovich was born in 1782 in Russia, but a year later the boy was taken to England, where his father was sent as ambassador. The next meeting of the young Count with the Motherland took place after a long eighteen years. Vorontsov fell in love with the "good old" England - the family closely communicated with the English society.

Arriving in Russia, the count tried to resurrect memories of England. Nineteen-year-old boy actively joined the public and political life of the country - participated in the Turkish and anti-Napoleonic wars. He was awarded state awards for bravery, distinguished himself with courage in the battles near Borodino and Smolensk. At thirty-three, after receiving the rank of Lieutenant-General, he directed the Parisian Russian occupation corps. In 1883 he was appointed governor-general of the Novorossiysk region, and later - the Caucasus. In 1854 he was awarded the high rank of General-Field Marshal.

Service in Novorossiysk Territory

When the Crimea was annexed to Russia, the tsarist government began generously distributing land to famous military men, officials of various levels, noblemen. But the complete lack of roads, the high cost of keeping and transporting serfs here slowed down the development of the region. M. S. Vorontsov was a large landowner. In the south of Crimea he owned Massandra, Ai-Danil, Alupka, Gurzuf. His main estate in Alupka, he decided to turn into a summer residence.

In 1824, he began large-scale construction in his estate and simultaneously pave the way from Simferopol to the South Shore. According to historians, 10,000 soldiers worked on the construction. In 1828, the construction of a large palace began, which ended in ten years, and finishing works continued until 1846.

To equip his Crimean possessions Vorontsov begins to search for foreign architects, gardeners, builders of various specialties.

Architect Eduard Blor

The Vorontsov Palace in Alupka was created according to the design of the famous architect Eduard Blor at the time. In his younger years, he devoted himself to the study and restoration of monuments of antiquity. Later, he was invited to the position of court architect George Fourth, and then Queen Victoria. He is the author of Westminster Abbey, some elements of the facade of Buckingham Palace, large estates in Europe and Australia.

Vorontsov Palace in Alupka

On the west side is the main entrance to the palace. The driver is greeted by a real feudal castle - monumental round watchtowers, completely deaf walls. Such visitors see the courtyard of farm buildings, a narrow and long medieval passage that leads to the central building. Toothed high walls, windows-loopholes cause a feeling of inaccessibility. This impression is mitigated by the openwork cast-iron bridge, on which serf musicians once went to the dining room choirs.

The Vorontsov Palace in the Crimea becomes bright, filled with air, after you enter the front yard. Before the eyes of all entering, a magnificent landscape opens against the backdrop of the Ai-Petri peak.

Architecture

Vorontsov Palace in Alupka is designed in the Tudor style. This is the English architectural style of the sixteenth century, the time of transition from Gothic to the era of luxury - the Renaissance. The mountainous terrain, the boundless expanse of the sea - a wonderful landscape that characterizes the Crimea. Vorontsov's palace, or rather, its northern facade, which faces the Ai-Petri, is designed in the style of Gothic. Flat roofs, towers, spiers remind a medieval castle.

Vorontsovsky Palace, the photo of which you see in this article, has a more festive and elegant southern facade. In its design elements of eastern architecture were used. It is a deep niche that is framed by a double arch in the shape of a horseshoe. It is decorated with stucco reliefs. In order to further strengthen the eastern architecture of the portal, its frieze is inscribed in Arabic. Vorontsov's palace in the Crimea has many elements of eastern architecture, however, with English processing.

Of particular note is the "Lion Terrace" with a beautiful staircase, which is strictly guarded by six magnificent lions of carrara white marble made by the Italian sculptor Giovanni Bonnani. They appeared in the palace in 18848. This event marked the end of the construction of the palace. Today in the souvenir shop near the palace you can buy miniature copies of these animals.

The Vorontsov Palace in the Crimea is built from the Crimean volcanic rock - diabase, which is very similar in composition to the basalt. He built hereditary stone-cutters and stonemasons by hand, using a primitive tool. If you come to the Crimea, you must have Yalta on your excursion schedule. Vorontsovsky Palace is a true monument of history and architecture, which everyone should see.

Interior decoration

A particularly festive and bright premise of the Vorontsov Palace is undoubtedly the "Blue Living Room". In the past, it housed a home theater. A magnificent white stucco pattern of shoots and flowers, completely covering the blue walls and ceiling, gives the room an unusual charm and sophistication. A massive door of oak served as a kind of curtain. In 1863 she was represented by an outstanding Russian artist MS Shchepkin.

The most spacious hall of the Vorontsov Palace is the Grand Dining Room. It is decorated with carved wood, has a complex and thin frame of doors, massive frames of the panel. A huge dining table is designed for 32 people. The chairs were made by Russian mahogany masters according to English models. Exquisitely looks and a sideboard with a bath for cooling mahogany wines. It was made in England. The decoration of the main living room is a decorative fountain. It is skilfully laid out with majolica tiles and framed by diorite. Above the fountain there is a small balcony, on which serf musicians played. Ural masters performed for this living room malachite candelabra.

Odessa: The Vorontsov Palace

In the history of this southern hospitable city Prince MS Vorontsov occupies an honorable place. The time of his service as governor-general of the Novorossiysk region is called the "golden age" of the city.

A harmonious combination of wealth and exquisite taste is the Vorontsov Palace. Odessa is very proud of this remarkable monument of history and architecture. In this luxurious building everything is thought through to the smallest detail. In everything there is an Italian style - in ornament and decoration, in the decoration of the palace with unique paintings. Once upon a time, in the place where the palace was built, there was a Turkish fortress. The construction was completed in 1827, the author of the project was the architect F. K. Boffo. The palace was built in the style of Empire, which differs massiveness, pathos and a certain theatricality. During the reign of Vorontsov, this architectural direction conquered Odessa. In the city buildings with colonnades, perfectly combined with the local landscape, began to appear more often.

Vorontsovsky Palace is a main building, one side "looking" to the boulevard, a large wing that is attached to the palace, a spacious courtyard that separates the residential part of the house from the stables, and the stables themselves.

Vorontsov Palace in the years of Soviet power

In March 1917, the palace housed the Odessa Soviet of Workers' Deputies and the headquarters of the Red Guard. In 1936, in a luxurious building, the Palace of Pioneers was opened. In the postwar years he was named after Yasha Gordienko, whose name he still wears.