The Ataman Troops House, called the Ataman Palace in Novocherkassk, is an architectural monument and city landmark. A beautiful and comfortable building, located in the center, has always been elected by the authorities as their residence. Within the walls of this house were Russian emperors, members of their family, Don punish chieftains, leaders of the counter-revolutionary movement, and representatives of the Soviet government.
Why Novocherkassk Palace?
The emperor of Russia in 1827, by the highest decree, appointed his heir the August ataman of the Cossack army, which has become a tradition since that time. To take up a high position, the prince must arrive in Novocherkassk, where he will be handed the symbol of the ataman authority. Subsequent trips to the capital of the Cossacks were also needed.
The Military Council considered the construction of a new building to adequately accommodate the royal person during his visits to the Don army. The idea in 1860 received the highest approval. The architect began to work on the project, and the control was entrusted to Ataman Khomutov. In 1863, the construction of the palace, as well as the decoration of the interiors of the premises was completed. In the absence of the High Ataman, the building served as the residence of the punish ataman of the Don army.
Palace architecture
The Ataman Palace in Novocherkassk was designed and built by Academician I.O. Valprede, who applied the best traditions of classicism in his work. The facade of the building is decorated with a hinged balcony connecting the two corner risalits. Symmetrically located entrances are designed in the form of portals, which was often used in palace architecture.
The interiors supported the theme of the palace chambers. High vaulted ceilings, large ceremonial halls, stucco molding and painting, stoves, tiled with painted tiles, marble fireplaces - all these rich decoration of the chambers gave the building the appearance of a palace. In the arrangement of the interiors, carved furniture with inlays was used.
Since its construction, the palace has been one of the centers of business and cultural life of the city. Performing representative functions, he became a landmark of the capital of the Cossack army. Well preserved, it still adorns the central street of the city.
Temple of Simeon Persian
The desire to build a house church at the Ataman Palace in Novocherkassk appeared among the authorities and residents after the attempt on the life of Emperor Alexander II on April 4, 1866. It was supported by the local clergy, who proposed to consecrate it in honor of Simeon of Persia on the feast day of April 5.
Architect I.O. Valprede, attaching a new building to the palace, from the northeast side, was forced to slightly change the appearance of the latter. To preserve the symmetry of the main facade, the church was moved inland, which made it possible to set up a small garden near it.
The two-story building was built in the same style as the Ataman Palace of Novocherkassk. The photo allows you to find out what the appearance of the structure was, but it is still impossible to see it with your own eyes, since the temple is under reconstruction.
The temple itself was located on the second floor, the premises of the first were reserved for household needs. The area of the main hall is 120 square meters. meters with seven-meter ceilings has always been flooded with light, as the architect made two-way lighting. The floors were made of typesetting parquet, the stucco molding decorated the ceilings. The iconostasis was ordered in the workshop of the local icon painter, but it is impossible to imagine how it looked at that time. Over the years, the church has been badly damaged. In 2009, it was decided to restore it, reconstruction is being carried out by the deanery district.
The functions of the palace in the 19th century
Where the Ataman Palace of Novocherkassk is located, at that time a whole manor was built for a comfortable stay of the ataman and the highest persons. There were farm buildings, a carriage shed, which was later converted into a garage, a gardener’s house, a chicken coop, a bathhouse, glaciers and a Zeichhaus.
P.Kh. Grabbe was the first Cossack chieftain to enter a new building. The entire interior was divided into three functional zones. The first floor was entirely devoted to official affairs; the second floor housed the chieftain's workrooms, a front hall and a dining room. In the southern part of the second floor, living rooms were arranged for his family. They consisted of bedrooms, living rooms and a balcony overlooking the garden. In the summer, an awning was pulled over it.
Before the arrival of the highest persons, the ataman and his family left the Ataman Palace of Novocherkassk for a rented apartment. The emperor and his wife were located on the second floor, and the prince settled on the first floor.
Soviet time
The years of Soviet rule were a time of destruction for the palace. He has lost its former significance and magnificence. The property was looted, and the frequent change of owners led to the destruction of the palace itself. During the counter-revolutionary movement on the Don, a combat headquarters was located within its walls. According to archival records, it is known that ataman A.M. lived out his last days here. Kaledin.
Then this building was the workplace of Soviet institutions: the department of education, health, social welfare and many others.
In the summer of 1942, German and then Romanian troops entered the city. In the Ataman Palace of Novocherkassk, the city authorities, accountable to the fascist regime, are located. This continued until February 1943, and after liberation, Soviet institutions returned to the building.
Modern Palace Museum
Until the end of the 20th century, party and governing bodies functioned within the walls of the palace. In 1998, major repairs were carried out, and a year later the palace was transferred to the Museum of the History of the Don Cossacks. But the administration left the inhabited premises only in 2001, then the solemn transfer of the building to the museum took place.
Currently, an exhibition dedicated to the Don Cossacks is open here on the ground floor. The second floor shows the living quarters of the chief ataman. The interiors of the main halls, living room, dining room and office have been recreated. An exhibition dedicated to the ataman A.M. Kaledina.
How to get to the Ataman Palace in Novocherkassk? It is located at: Palace Street, 5a. This is the historical part of the city.