HSH Prince Alexander Danilovich, the right hand and a favorite of Peter I, had a lot of titles, and more, he was allowed.Menshikov Palace in St. Petersburg, a vivid example.At that time, the king grew roots more than a modest summer residence (now the branch of the Russian Museum), the first governor-general of St. Petersburg in the short term and on a large scale built on Vasilyevsky Island huge palace, which was to become his family nest.
luxury overflowing
best forces of Russian architecture were employed at the site.A huge amount of building materials were delivered here by swamps, while in the construction of the northern capital every brick was personally controlled by Peter I.
Menshikov Palace in St. Petersburg at the time was unabashed luxury.Due to the absence of other relevant buildings, he was the center of the administrative life of the city, and it celebrated the end of the Great Northern War.Initially (1710-1712) led the work the architect Francesco Fontana, who later left the country because of the harsh climate.He was replaced by the architect IG Schedel, talent and professionalism which is so like the first Russian senator, he commissioned the architect to build two more of their residences - in Oranienbaum and Kronstadt.
most magnificent building the future capital
Menshikov Palace in St. Petersburg at the time was the tallest building in the northern capital.And the biggest - it stretched across the island from the Big Neva River to the Little Neva.And now, after 300 years, well preserved building, the first stone structure of St. Petersburg, is the largest monument of architecture of the time of Peter.Menshikov was a "Westerner" and his palace built in full compliance with the fashion of the time, even Vasilyevsky Island were furrow channels to remind the neighborhood of Amsterdam.Disposition of the building was new - envisaged hall assemblies (under Peter I, balls and meetings) and the ceremonial reception, kitchen, bedrooms, studios and rooms secretaries.The rooms were spacious, but cozy.
originality of design
Menshikov Palace in St. Petersburg signed it discharged from abroad tiled tiles, carved and typesetting wood, leather and other rare materials.Particularly outlandish was a sister-room Serene Prince - walls were lined entire scenes.Tile, like much else, was imported from Holland, but some were manufactured at the Russian factories and Strelna, Yamburg, Koporye.Palace hit the wealth and luxury.Family generalissimo of sea and ground forces moved into the palace already in 1714.The main attraction of the palace is considered Walnut room.After links Menshikov in 1727 the estate passed to Berezov Cadet Corps, where I studied Suvorov and Sumarokov.In the years of Soviet power in the palace walls were military-political school.Now the grand building on the banks of the Neva River is a branch of the Hermitage.
first home of the nobility in the swamps
Menshikov Palace in St. Petersburg has its own prehistory.In 1704 Peter I gave Vasilevsky island to his favorite "Aleksashka" which now laid there garden and orchard and began to build a two-storey wooden building under the leadership of William A. Senyavin.Construction on the project was carried out by Domenico Terzini.Built in the shape of the letter "n" has been building grand staircase leading to the second floor.And for the first steps of the approaching channel (later the pond), dug from the banks of the Neva.The wooden palace, built in the Italian style, famous for the fact that in 1710 it was celebrated the wedding of his niece Anna Ivanovna, Peter I and the Duke of Courland Friedrich Wilhelm.In the same year, a full admiral and the governor-general of St. Petersburg began to build his famous stone palace.
Moscow residence
number of residences of the Duke of Izhora not inferior to the number of its titles.Menshikov Palace in Moscow, also known as the "Lefortovo", or "Old suburban", was presented by Peter I in 1706 his associate after the house of Alexander Danilovich in Semyonov settlement burned."Lefortovo" palace called because it was built from 1698 by imperial decree to associate Lefort, who after a stormy housewarming in 1699 soon (20 days) died 46 years old.The palace was original and was considered the first attempt to transition to a new style of architecture.Hall of the palace height of about 10 meters and an area of 300 square meters.meters could accommodate up to 1,500 guests at a time.The palace had a lot of curiosities - the room, the walls of which were covered or green skin, and gold brocade.The building is located on the banks of the Yauza and had a huge park, populated by extraordinary birds and animals.Menshikov largely rebuilt the palace on your own.After his disgrace building in Lefortovo transferred to the treasury.The fire and the occupation of Moscow in 1812, the palace was destroyed and later abandoned.Restored it was only in 1840, with the result that there was a third floor of the mansion.Since then and to this day the building occupied by the different files.
Palace Theatre
Sheremetievskiy Palace in St. Petersburg - is another jewel of the historic city on the Neva.Since 1712 by decree of the king in the future northern capital begin to move representatives of the Moscow nobility.With their help, the emperor intended to equip the individual areas of the city.General Field Marshal Count BP Sheremetev, which Peter I married to his cousin AP Naryshkina specifically been allocated land under the number 34. It was on the banks of the Fontanka, and the palace, built there, called "Fountain House".The object was not anything remarkable, and passed from hand to hand until such time as it has not inherited the grandson of Boris Petrovich - Nicholas, who settled here in 1796.On his behalf, architect IE Starov reconstructed house.When the newly rebuilt palace appeared theater and orchestra of serf actors.Hall was built with lot invested in this stage, the engine room beneath it, were "dressing room" and the utility room.It was a real theater, famous in the entire capital.It was rebuilt the whole area of the estate, new buildings - coach house, scrap and Summer Garden Pavilion.Over conversion worked, such as the architects Quarenghi and Voronikhin.Sheremetievs were very rich.Count Nikolai famous because, loving serf actress Praskovya Kovalev gave her free and married her.
Fame this manor and added that from 1924 to 1952 in one of the lodges here lived Anna Akhmatova.Now in the palace there is a memorial museum named after the poetess and the Museum of Music and Performing Arts.
northern capital add unique charm all the palaces of St. Petersburg.Photos, attached above shows how good the Anichkov Palace, the first stone building of this type on the Nevsky Prospect.Hermitage and did deserves a separate story.
