Stroganov Palace in St. Petersburg - one of the best examples of Russian architectural baroque. It is distinguished by its grandeur, elegance, but it is completely devoid of heavy pomposity, which distinguishes some of the constructions of that period.
Stroganov Palace - history
The history of the palace begins in the distant 1742, when the baron, and later - Count Sergey Grigorievich Stroganov purchased a section of Nevsky Prospekt and the Moika embankment and a wooden mansion that he planned to expand and reconstruct. Wanting to expand his domain, he tried to buy a neighboring site that belonged to the court cook, but was refused. The case helped - a powerful fire destroyed a significant part of the buildings of the avenue, and in 1752 the construction of a new mansion began.
For the erection of the Stroganov Palace, the architect of the Romanovs himself, F.B. Rastrelli. It is noteworthy that the work on private orders of architects close to the court of architects and other masters was not welcomed by the royal family, but since the Stroganovs were not only big industrialists, but also patrons who helped the state in difficult times, an exception was made for them. Since the Baron did not interfere with the architect to embody his bold plans, relying on his impeccable taste, the construction went at a record pace, and already in 1754 in the 50-room palace was given a chic ball on the occasion of housewarming.
Decoration and interiors of the Stroganov Palace
The premises of the palace are located along the perimeter in the form of an irregular quadrilateral. Both facades facing the river and the avenue are decorated differently, but equally elegantly and solemnly. In the piers between the windows are medallions with a male profile. It is not established exactly whose profile it is - Baron Stroganov or the architect Rastrelli, but they give the building a special charm.
The first floor was occupied by a large lobby with a grand staircase and office space. On the second floor, which leads the main staircase from the central entrance, there are ceremonial halls, amazing imagination with their highly artistic decoration. Noteworthy is the Grand Ballroom, the only one in St. Petersburg, the decoration of which has been completely preserved from the moment of construction: five large windows, the painted plafond of the work of J. Valeriani, decorative stucco, made according to drawings by F.B. Rastrelli. In 1756, after the death of the Count, the estate passed to his son Alexander Sergeevich. With him, the palace was repeatedly rebuilt, most interiors acquired the features of classicism. Also Mineralogical Cabinet, as well as the Ceremonial Bedroom, Corner Hall, Picture Gallery, Small Library were unique in design and content. The unique decoration of the premises was complemented by artfully selected furniture - furniture, lighting, picturesque and graphic paintings, showcases with unique collection samples.
Stroganov Palace Museum
After the October Revolution, the mansion was nationalized and for some time it housed the Museum of Life. Then in its premises were placed various state institutions, whose employees were not very interested in preserving the interiors. In the years 1925-1929. the palace became a branch of the Hermitage, after which all valuable exhibits were devoted to the Russian Museum and the Hermitage, and the building moved to the Academy of Agricultural Sciences. And only in 1988 the authorities decided to confer the status of the museum on the palace and the beginning of the restoration.
Stroganov Palace: exhibitions and excursions
To date, the restoration of the palace is still ongoing as far as financial injections. To visit the Grand Dancing Hall, on the second floor there is an exhibition of family relics of the Stroganov family. Periodically in different halls of the museum there are expositions of various art collections. The gallery of wax figures, among which the figure of the owners of the palace and members of their families, is very popular.
Stroganov Palace: address and opening hours
The palace is located in St. Petersburg at Nevsky Prospekt 17 / Naberezhnaya Moika 46. The nearest metro stations are "Admiralteyskaya" and "Nevsky Prospekt".
The operating mode of the branch of the Russian Museum: Wednesday-Sunday from 10 to 18, Monday from 10 to 17, Tuesday - the day off.
Other palaces of St. Petersburg, which will be interesting to meet: Yusupovsky , Sheremetevsky , Mikhailovsky, and others.| | | |
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