|
|
GATCHINA In the highest point of a hill on Coast of Silver Lake in suburb of St.-Petersburg the city of Gatchina the monumental building of a palace-lock rises
Imperial palace – unique "palace-lock" in suburbs of Petersburg. In spite of the fact that on the shape the palace gives rise to associations with medieval locks, it represents original product of Russian architecture which was created with some generations of masters – outstanding architects and set dressers A.Rinaldi, V.Brenna, A.Zakharov, N.Lvov, A.Voronikhin, A.Shtakenshnejder, R. Kuzmin, J.Mettenlejter. The panel and water colors were created by landscape writer S.Schedrin and G.Sergeev. Some time in a palace the carver on a stone academician K.Lebereht worked.
The history of a palace begins with small orient building. The nature has taken care of beauty of local places: wonderful lakes and small rivers, the dense woods, the relief deprived to monotony – all invited to rest. Possibly, therefore in these places first mentioned still in the book of 1499, the small estate intended for the hunting entertainments has been created. In the beginning territory belonged to Peter I. Then it has presented its sister Natalia Alekseevna (constructed for it on coast of White lake the wooden two-storeyed house has been disassembled in 1793 at the device on this place of the Botanical garden). Subsequently imperial physicians used an estate, and then it has taken over Kurakin family. In 1765 Ekaterina II has bought manor to present to her favorite column G. Orlov. For G.Orlov under A.Rinaldi's project the palace has been built in the form of the hunting lock with towers and underground course has been built. Bookmark of the palace took place on May, 30th, 1766. In 1783, after death of column G. Orlov, Ekaterina II has redeemed at successors in treasury an estate with the villages attributed to them and has presented its son, grand duke Paul Petrovich, the future emperor Paul I. Paul I has changed Gatchina in compliance with the representations and propensities: the city began to remind military camp, has undergone to changes and a palace. Reorganization of a palace was made under direction of the architect of Century Are transitory. In 1801-1828 the palace owned widow Paul I Maria Fedorovna, then with 1828 till 1855 here was one of Nikolay I residences. Following owners of a palace - Alexander II, Alexander III, Nikolay II. In the end of XVIII century Gatchina palace became the present treasury of art. Here there were pictures of work of the West-European artists transported from the Hermitage, a collection of the ancient weapon. In the Greek gallery and the White hall there were antique statues and busts, in halls magnificent French Gobelin tapestries hung. In alteration of initial interiors of A.Rinaldi, architect V.Bazhenov took part. The numerous architecturally-decorative elements which have changed internal shape of the Main case, were executed under A.Voronikhina's drawings. On a ground floor of the Main case of the Palace there were premises of various functional purpose, including personal rooms of emperor Paul I, with the windows leaving in Own garden. Personal rooms – Bottom Cavalier's room, Bottom Throne hall, Toilet, etc. – belonged to number of the most interesting samples of an inhabited interior of XVIII century. Throne Emperor Paul I, was created on a place of a cabinet of G.Orlov. Walls of a hall decorate Gobelin tapestries "Asia" and "Africa" weaved in 1780 in France on cardboards of F.Deport in masterful Z.Nejlson, and "Zerera" with amazing flower garlands on a pink background. Between windows there is a throne place an armchair and a underfoot bench. The throne was wooden, carved, entirely gilded, is upholstered by a crimson velvet, with embroidered on a back in gold, silver and silk the imperial arms. Special ornament of Throne hall – a parquet. Three intertwining wreaths on it are executed from the tobacco tree, a grid surrounding them – from pink, and details – from mahogany, a black rosewood, a nut, a pear and other breeds of trees. The main ornament was made with a collection of pictures of the West-European artists. Through a door from Throne hall it is possible to get in the biggest, intended for especially solemn receptions in XVIII and XIX centuries, a premise – the White hall. The part of marble bas-reliefs and the sculptures decorating an interior, concern to times of G.Orlov. They have been bought abroad for Ekaterina II. Special value original antique products – represent bas-reliefs "Sacrifice" and "Shepherd", and also sculptural portraits of emperors Karakally and Antinoy. During the works undertaken on Century Transitory under the instruction of Paul I, additional apartments have been arranged. So there was a theatre, library, an arsenal. Then there was Tchesma gallery (it is named so because of three greater pictures of artist F.Gakkert placed on walls with episodes Tchesma battle).
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
