Favorite palaces of Russian empresses. Lost St. Petersburg "Versailles" - Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna Summer Palace of Elizabeth

The reign of Elizabeth I was marked by a new stage in the development of architecture in the state, the emergence of the Elizabethan (Russian) Baroque. Built under the guidance of the chief architect Empress R.F. Bartolomeo's architectural monuments had a clear European influence, however, they were characterized by Russian scope and monumentality. One of these masterpieces was the Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna in St. Petersburg, which, in style, lightness of architectural forms and richness of decoration, was compared with the French royal palace in Versailles.

Geographical location and architectural features of the Summer Palace of Elizabeth

We can get an idea of ​​what the Summer Palace of Elizabeth looked like from paintings and engravings, as well as the memoirs of contemporaries. The imperial residence was located on the site between the street. Italian, Ekaterininsky canal, Moika and Fontanka rivers. The palace was built in the 3rd Summer Garden, where the Mikhailovsky (also known as Engineering) Castle is located today.

According to the project, the palace provided for the presence of two facades overlooking the Moika (main) and in the direction of Nevsky Prospekt. In front of the main entrance to the building, a regularly operating park was laid out with trees and figured flower beds, benches and fountains. Visitors entered the courtyard through a wrought-iron gate.

The Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli had a second name - the Wooden Palace. Only the basement and walls of the first floor were made of stone, the second floor was completely made of wood. The pink and gray exterior walls looked elegant and light. Inside the room was decorated with rich stucco with gilding, sculptures and a large number of mirrors. The luxurious and elegant palace included more than 160 rooms, including a hall for ceremonial receptions and galleries.

Favorite residence of Elizabeth Petrovna

The entire court of Elizabeth I moved to the Summer Palace from the Winter Palace as soon as it got warmer: in April - May. The move was arranged solemnly, with a cannon salute and an orchestra, accompanied by a guards regiment. The return to the winter residence at the end of September was no less pompous.

Elizabeth loved her Summer Palace. It regularly hosted official receptions and balls. The future Emperor Paul I was born here.

Summer Palace of Elizabeth: the history of construction

The idea of ​​erecting a summer imperial residence appeared during the reign of Anna Leopoldovna, regent under the young Ivan VI, to whom the throne passed after Anna Ioannovna. The architect began to develop drawings at the end of 1740, and in July 1741 construction work began. In the same year, a coup took place and Elizaveta Petrovna, the youngest daughter of Peter the Great, came to power. The new empress approved the continuation of the construction of the palace and the work was carried out from 1741 to 1744. Historically, the construction was carried out not exactly according to the project. So, at the direction of Elizabeth through the river. Moika, a covered gallery was built for the transition from the palace to the 2nd Summer Garden.

After the death of Elizabeth I, the palace remained an imperial residence, festive events were held here at the end of the seven-year war with Prussia, and Catherine II accepted official congratulations on her coronation from foreign ambassadors, although she spent most of her time in Tsarskoye Selo. By decree of Paul I, the Summer Palace was destroyed in 1797 (officially - due to dilapidation), and in its place the modern Mikhailovsky Castle, known to us, was built, which became the residence of the emperor.

A large number of palace buildings, the richness and luxury of their decoration have been transforming the architectural appearance of St. Petersburg for many years. After all, this city is famous for its unique palaces of major officials, aristocrats and other noble people. Worthy of attention is the Summer Palace of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna.

With the accession to the throne of the new empress, the next stage in the formation of cultural spheres began in the state. This heyday had an impact on the capital. The city has changed significantly. In the era of cultural development of St. Petersburg, preference was given to the construction of architectural monuments. The Summer Palace deserves special attention.

During the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna (1741 - 1761), the construction of palaces was of particular importance. Then Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, one of the best architects in the history of the state, was engaged in the erection of real masterpieces. Among his works is the Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna. It should be noted as the best work of the architect.

The Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna in St. Petersburg was erected by B. F. Rastrelli in the period from 1741 to 1744. According to the architect, the building included about 160 apartments, among which was a church and galleries. The palace was decorated with numerous sculptures, fountains and a garden. Over time, the residence experienced a number of changes associated with the dissatisfaction of the architect with his work. Construction activities continued here for several years.

The territory on which the Mikhailovsky Castle is located, in the first half of the 18th century, belonged to the Summer Garden - the royal estate of Peter I. Empress Anna Ioannovna ordered the construction of the palace to begin on this site. The construction was entrusted to the architect Rastrelli Jr. But the architect did not have time to start work during the life of the Empress. In 1740, power passed to Anna Leopoldovna, who decided to implement the project founded by her predecessor. But after a while, a palace coup takes place, as a result of which the imperial power passes to the youngest daughter of Peter I, Elizabeth. Tsesarevna gives F. B. Rastrelli the order to build the Summer Palace. The Empress liked the result of the architect's work so much that she doubled his salary. The exact date of laying the structure is still controversial. According to some historians, this event falls on July 24, 1741. Moreover, the beginning of the bookmark took place in the presence of Empress Anna, her husband, as well as some courtiers and members of the guard.

The Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna belongs to the Russian Baroque style. This was the name of the set of architectural trends that formed on the territory of the Russian Empire and the Russian state in the XII - XIII centuries. The structures of this period were characterized by:
splendor and intricacy of architectural forms;
luxury finishes;
using modeling;
painting and gilding.

Among the styles of this era, Peter's baroque is distinguished, which arose thanks to the buildings not only of compatriots, but also of architects from Western Europe. They were invited by Peter I to ennoble the new capital, St. Petersburg. The most characteristic features of the Petrovsky baroque were:
rejection of the Byzantine manner;
simplicity and practicality;
facades in red and white shades;
the presence of symmetry of forms;
mansard roofs;
arched window openings.

Many of the engravings and drawings that have survived from that era reflect the appearance of the palace almost exactly. Stone was chosen as the basis for the first floor, and wood for the second. The building was painted in light pink shades, which is remarkable for the Baroque style. The basement was made of granite in gray-green color. The Summer Palace of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna had two facades: the main facade overlooked the Moika, towards the Summer Garden, and the other - to the Neva prospect. Outbuildings were located along the entire perimeter, which imitated a kind of isolation. A wide road was laid along the Fontanka, which was accompanied by greenhouses and fruit trees. Part of this territory was occupied by the Elephant Yard, the inhabitants of which, if desired, bathed in the Fontanka. The entrance to the palace was fenced with wide gates, on which gilded double-headed eagles shimmered. The gate was decorated with an openwork lattice. Behind the fence was a large front yard. The view of the main facade was blocked by large flower beds and trees, which turned into a kind of park. The main building was occupied by the Grand Hall. It was decorated with Bohemian mirrors, marble sculptures and paintings by famous artists. At the western side of the hall stood the royal throne. Living rooms, decorated with gilded carvings, led directly to the front hall. Outside, curly staircases approached the room.

During the year, a covered gallery was completed, through which it was possible to take a walk to the Summer Garden. Paintings by famous painters were hung on the walls of such a gallery. A terrace with a hanging garden was also designed here, which runs at the mezzanine level, where the Hermitage and the fountain were located. The contour of the terrace was fenced with a gilded lattice. Later, a palace church was added to this site. Some time later, a decorative park was planted near the palace. A huge labyrinth, bosquets and pavilions passed through it. Swings and carousels were placed in the center of the park. On the territory adjacent to the palace, a complex of water towers was built, since the previous water supply of the fountains did not have the necessary pressure. Similar water towers were ennobled with the help of palace painting.

The architect Rastrelli was not satisfied with his work. For this reason, a decade later, he brought the wooden Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna to a real masterpiece. Rastrelli regularly altered some parts of the building. So, later the walls were transformed with the help of figured platbands of windows and atlases. Lion masks and mascarons also served as their decoration.

The summer residence is Elizabeth's first own home. Before the Empress, no one lived in this building. The Tsesarevna occupied the eastern wing of the residence. The western wing was reserved for the courtiers. Queen Elizabeth admired the luxury of the Summer Palace. Every year in April, the Empress left the Winter Palace to temporarily settle in the summer one. The whole yard moved with her. This event turned into a real ceremony, which was accompanied by an orchestra and artillery fire. In September, Elizabeth moved back.

In 1754, the Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna in St. Petersburg became the birthplace of Paul I, who soon came to power. In 1762, feasts were held here on the occasion of the peace agreement with Prussia. As soon as the new Emperor Paul I came to power, he immediately ordered the demolition of the building. In its place, a castle was erected, known today as Mikhailovsky. It was in this residence that the life of Paul I ended. According to one of the legends, the Mikhailovsky Castle was not built by chance on the site of the Summer Palace. The emperor wished to spend the rest of his life in the place where he was born. Another legend says that the archangel Michael appeared to the guard and ordered the construction of a temple on the territory where the Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna was located. After this incident, the emperor ordered the construction of a new palace and church in the name of Archangel Michael to begin. Thus, the Mikhailovsky Castle got its name by analogy with the temple of Michael the Archangel.

In the 18th century, women were often in power in Russia, and, naturally, there were favorites in their lives. They were immensely bestowed with titles and estates, often had enormous political influence. Some received real palaces as a gift. Who was awarded such an honor, and which of these palaces have survived in St. Petersburg to our time?

Anichkov Palace (Nevsky prospect, 39)

Anichkov Palace - the first palace to appear on Nevsky Prospekt. So it was called a few years later, when the famous Anichkov Bridge appeared next to it.
Elizabeth Petrovna, daughter of Peter I, having ascended the throne in 1741 as a result of a palace coup, ordered the construction of a palace in honor of her triumph.

Although it was officially announced that the palace was being built for the new empress, everyone understood that in fact it was intended for Count Alexei Grigorievich Razumovsky, who at that time was her favorite. Razumovsky was famous for his beauty and good nature, and although he had great power at court, he never really used it.

The construction of the palace began immediately after the coronation, the architect Mikhail Zemtsov began to build it, and Bartolomeo Rastrelli completed it. The building was located in such a way that its main entrance and main facade faced the Fontanka embankment, and not Nevsky Prospekt. At that time, Nevsky Prospekt was not yet the main street of the city, and, moreover, many guests reached this palace along the Fontanka River, which was then the border of St. Petersburg.

In 1771, Razumovsky died, and Catherine II, having bought the palace from the Razumovsky family, gave it to her new favorite, Grigory Potemkin. He decided to rebuild the palace in a more classical style, which was done. In the future, the palace changed its owners more than once, and was seriously rebuilt more than once.

Shuvalov Palace (Italianskaya st., 25)

The mansion belonged to the young favorite of Elizabeth Petrovna, Ivan Shuvalov, a very versatile person who was interested in politics and art. Largely thanks to his efforts, Moscow University and the Academy of Arts were opened.

Instead of building a new mansion from scratch, it was decided, taking one of the existing buildings as a basis, to thoroughly rebuild it to your liking. The architect Savva Chevakinsky was involved in the construction of the mansion, who chose the Elizabethan Baroque style for it. The mansion was built very quickly - in just two years, and Shuvalov moved there with his wife.
However, later, under Empress Catherine II, Shuvalov was excommunicated from the court and was forced to leave Russia. By order of one of the subsequent owners of the palace, Prosecutor General Alexander Vyazemsky, the palace was rebuilt in the classical style.

Marble Palace (Millionnaya street, 5/1)

Gatchina Palace

The Gatchina Palace also belonged to Grigory Orlov. It was built in an unusual style for Russia - an English hunting castle. The project was carried out by the Italian Antonio Rinaldi. This palace was also built for a very long time - 15 years, and Orlov had a chance to live in it for a very short time - only two years.

Tauride Palace (Shpalernaya street, 47)

This palace, one of the largest in Europe, was built by Catherine the Great for Prince Potemkin. It was under his leadership that the Russian army, having won the Russian-Turkish war, annexed the Crimean peninsula, then called "Tavrida". After that, Potemkin began to be called Tauride. But Potemkin sold this palace as unnecessary a year later and left on business to the south. Catherine bought this palace and gave it to him again - this time for the capture of the Turkish fortress of Izmail.

The Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna is an unpreserved imperial residence in St. Petersburg, built by B. F. Rastrelli in 1741-1744 on the site where the Mikhailovsky (Engineering) Castle is now located. Demolished in 1796.

Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna (built in 1741, demolished in 1797).
M.I. Makhaev 1756

In 1712, on the southern bank of the Moika, where the pavilion of the Mikhailovsky Garden is now, a small manor house was built for Ekaterina Alekseevna, completed with a turret with a gilded spire, which bore the pretentious name "Golden Mansions". According to him, the Big Meadow (the future Field of Mars) on the opposite bank received the name Tsaritsyn Meadow: it will be used most often in the 18th, and even at the beginning of the 19th century. The territory near the palace is called the 3rd Summer Garden. On July 11, 1721, the chamber junker of the Duke of Holstein Berchholtz, having examined the estate, wrote:

“The garden has been recently planted and therefore there is nothing in it yet, except for already quite large fruit trees. Here, five nearby ponds were dug for keeping live fish brought to the royal table.

In the greenhouses of the queen, the gardener Ekliben grew fruits rare for the northern latitudes: pineapples, bananas, etc.

Even then, the idea appeared to close the alley of the Summer Garden opposite the Karpiev Pond with a palace building. This is evidenced by the project of 1716-1717, preserved in the archives. Its possible author is J. B. Leblon. It depicts a small nine-axis palace, the elevated center of which is completed with a tetrahedral dome. Wide one-story galleries cover the court d'honneur with a magnificent figured parterre, facing the Moika. Behind there is a garden with numerous bosquets of various shapes. Fruit plantings have been preserved on the territory of the current Mikhailovsky Garden.
However, things did not go further than plans.

MAKHAEV Mikhail Ivanovich
Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna and front yard in front of it. View from the south. B. g. Ink, pen, brush

Under Anna Ioannovna, the 3rd Summer Garden turns into a "jagd-garten" - a garden for "chasing and shooting deer, wild boars, hares, as well as a gallery for hunters and stone walls to prevent bullets and shots from flying." At the same time, the “Vegetable Garden” was moved to Liteinaya Street, where the Mariinsky Hospital would later be built.

In the early 1740s. B. F. Rastrelli began the construction of one of the most remarkable buildings of the developed Russian baroque - the Summer Palace in the 3rd Summer Garden for the ruler Anna Leopoldovna.

Ivan ARGUNOV (1727(29)-1802). Portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna.

However, while the construction was underway, a revolution took place, and Elizaveta Petrovna became the mistress of the building. By 1744, the palace, wooden on stone cellars, was roughly finished. The architect, in the description of the buildings he created, spoke of him like this:

“This building had more than 160 apartments, including the church, hall and galleries. Everything was adorned with mirrors and rich sculptures, as was the new garden, adorned with beautiful fountains, with the Hermitage built at the level of the first floor, surrounded by rich trellises, all the decorations of which were gilded.

Summer Palace.
Fragment of the "Axonometric plan of St. Petersburg 1765-1773 by P. de Saint-Hilaire".

Despite the location in the city limits, the building was decided according to the manor scheme. The plan was created under the clear influence of Versailles, which is especially noticeable from the side of the court d'honneur: the successively narrowing spaces enhanced the effect of the baroque perspective of the courtyard, fenced off from the access road by a lattice of magnificent drawings with state emblems.
One-story outbuildings along the perimeter of the cour d'honneur emphasize the isolation of the ensemble, traditional for the Baroque. The rather flat decor of light pink facades (mezzanine pilasters with Corinthian capitals and rusticated stone plinth blades corresponding to them, figured window frames) was compensated by a rich play of volumes.
Complicated in plan, strongly developed side wings included courtyards with small flower stalls. Magnificent access porticos led to stair volumes, as always with Rastrelli, displaced from the central axis. From the main staircase, a series of living rooms, decorated with gilded carvings, led to the most representative hall of the palace - the Throne Room. Its double-height volume accentuated the center of the building.
Outside, curly staircases led to it, complemented by ramps from the side of the garden. Completed the appearance of the palace, giving it baroque splendor, numerous statues and vases on the pediments and balustrades crowning the building.
Rastrelli decorated the space up to the Moika with flower stalls with three fountain pools of complex outlines.

Summer Palace of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna in St. Petersburg.
thin L. F. Bonstedt. (according to the drawing by M.I. Makhaev. 1753). 1847.

As is often the case with the creations of an architect, over time, a logical and harmonious initial plan changes to suit momentary requirements.
In 1744, for the transition of the Empress to the 2nd Summer Garden through the Moika, he built a one-story covered gallery, decorated with paintings hung on the walls. Here, in 1747, near the northwestern risalit, he creates a terrace of a hanging garden at the mezzanine level with the Hermitage pavilion and a fountain in the center of the parterre.
Along the contour, it is fenced with a magnificent gilded trellis grate, they arrange multi-march gatherings in the garden. Later, a palace church was added to the northeastern risalit, expanding it with an additional row of rooms from the Fontanka side.
Bay windows-lanterns appear on the western facade.

On the territory adjacent to the palace, a decorative park was laid out with a huge complex green labyrinth, bosquets, trellis pavilions and two trapezoidal ponds with semicircular ledges (which have survived to this day, they acquired a free outline during the reconstruction of the park for the Grand Duke's residence). About his work in the park in 1745, Rastrelli reports:

“On the banks of the Moika, in a new garden, I built a large building of baths with a round salon and a fountain in several jets, with front rooms for relaxation.”

In the center of the park there were swings, slides, carousels. The device of the latter is unusual: revolving benches were placed around a large tree, and a gazebo was hidden in the crown, into which they climbed a spiral staircase.

Alexey Grekov. View of the Summer Palace of Empress Elizabeth

Another building, located in the immediate vicinity of the north-eastern corner of the palace, is associated with the name of the architect: the water supply system for the fountains of the Summer Garden, made in the 1720s. no longer gave sufficient pressure, and did not correspond to the splendor and grandeur of the imperial residence.
In the mid 1740s. Rastrelli builds water towers with an aqueduct across the Fontanka.
The technically complex, purely utilitarian building made of wood was decorated with palatial luxury: the wall painting imitated magnificent baroque modeling.

Despite the fact that the palace was the grand imperial residence, there was no direct communication with the Neva prospect: the road that went among the unpresentable random buildings (glaciers, greenhouses, workshops and the Elephant Yard stood on the banks of the Fontanka) turned onto Italianskaya Street, and only bypassing the palace and I. Shuvalov, built by Savva Chevakinsky, the crews through Malaya Sadovaya got to the central transport artery of the city.
A direct connection will appear only in the next century thanks to the work of C. Rossi.

Elizaveta Petrovna was very fond of the Summer Palace. In late April - early May (weather permitting), the solemn transfer of the Empress from the winter residence was arranged with a magnificent ceremonial with the participation of the court, the orchestra, regiments of the guard under the artillery salute of the cannon at the Winter Palace and the guns of the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Admiralty.
At the same time, the imperial yachts, which were on the roadstead opposite Apraksin's house, sailed to the Summer Garden. On the way back, the queen set off in the last days of September with the same ceremonies.

On September 20, 1754, the future emperor Paul I was born within the walls of the palace. After the death of the queen, the palace is still used: the conclusion of peace with Prussia is celebrated here.
In the throne room, Catherine II receives congratulations from foreign ambassadors on her accession to the throne. However, over time, the owner begins to give preference to other summer residences, especially Tsarskoye Selo, and the building deteriorates.
First, he was taken under residence to G. Orlov, then to G. Potemkin. A catastrophic flood in September 1777 destroyed the fountain system of the Summer Garden. The fashion for regular parks passed, and the water cannons were not restored, while the unnecessary Rastrelli aqueduct was dismantled.

Mikhailovsky Castle from the side of the embankment. Fontanka.
Benjamin Patersen.

At the end of the 1770s. The palace was dismantled by order of Paul I for the construction of the Mikhailovsky Castle, the laying of which took place on February 28, 1797.

There are two legends of the founding of the Mikhailovsky Castle: according to one, Paul I said: “I want to die where I was born”, according to another, the soldier standing on the clock in the Summer Palace, when he dozed off, the Archangel Michael dreamed and ordered to hand over to the king to build a church on this place .

Beggrov K.P.
View of the Engineer's Castle from the Summer Garden. 1830s

Be that as it may, in February 1796, due to dilapidation, the Elizabethan dwelling was broken down and the construction of a new imperial stronghold began. And today, only the volumetric construction of the facade of the castle facing the Summer Garden (perhaps at the request of the monarch) and the magnificent drawings of M.I. Makhaev remind of the disappeared building.

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