The Oranienbaum Palace and Park Ensemble, located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, is located in the city of Lomonosov, which is 40 kilometers west of our northern capital, St. Petersburg. Previously, it was called Oranienbaum.
Palace complex
At the beginning of the 18th century, the associate and favorite of Peter I, Alexander Danilovich Menshikov, was appointed governor of the Ingermanland Territory. On this occasion, he was presented with land on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. And on the selected plot of land, opposite the island of Kotlin, the Grand Palace was built and a garden was built.
The complex consists of four parts:
1. The Grand Palace of Menshikov.
2. The Palace of Peterstadt.
3. The Chinese palace.
4. A roller coaster.
The city in which the palace of Peter III, Lomonosov is located, was formerly called Oranienbaum (which means "orange tree"). Today it can be seen on the emblem of the city.
Big Menshikov Palace
The central and largest palace, built in the years 1710-1727 in the style of "Peter's Baroque", is an example of magnificence. The location of the palace on the edge of the hill divides the park complex into two parts: Lower Park and Upper Garden.
The central part of the palace has two floors. The length of the main facade is 210 meters. On both sides, one-story long galleries adjoin it. They have the shape of an arc and end with pavilions: Japanese and Church. To them, in turn, two wings are attached. Thus, the general layout of the palace resembles the letter “P”.
The palace was built under the direction of the architect F. Fonan, later replaced by I. G. Schedel (in 1713). The interior decoration was luxurious. After the disgrace of Menshikov, it changed repeatedly.
Chinese palace
Located in the depths of the Lower Park. This palace was built by architect Antonio Rinaldi, by order of Catherine II. Thanks to interiors made in the Chinese style, it became known as Chinese. Until today, one of the rooms of the palace has been preserved. This is the Bug Cabinet. The walls of the room are decorated with murals of glass beads and embroidered canvases. The Chinese Palace is the only surviving object with genuine interiors of the 18th century.
Roller Coaster Pavilion
A multi-stage building 33 meters long, located in the western part of Upper Park. It has a spacious round hall, decorated with stucco, gilding and painting.
Here is the famous Porcelain Study, which is famous for its Saxon jewelry. Today Katalnaya Gorka works like a museum.
Palace Peterstadt (Palace of Peter III)
This palace was erected by order of Elizabeth Petrovna for the future emperor, who was her nephew. He was the Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich. Tsar Peter III, for whom the "amusing fortress" was built, will make many changes to the palace ensemble in the future. Peterstadt was to become a kind of toy "fortress" for the heir to the throne.
After the confiscation of the estate from Menshikov, it was transferred to Peter Fedorovich. The palace and park complex itself has undergone multiple changes. Most of which were led by architect Antonio Rinaldi. It was he who developed the design of the palace, which according to the documents was also called the "stone house". The small size of the building confirms its "amusing" appointment. In fact, he became another of the park pavilions.
The construction of such a building as the palace of Peter III, dates back to 1759-62 years. It is made in the rococo style. In its form there is some architectural trick. It consists in the fact that with a common cubic shape, one of the corners is slightly cut, allowing you to examine it from three sides at the same time. This gives the building some solidity, despite its small size.
All internal premises are located around the perimeter of the palace. The first floor was occupied mainly by office space. The second floor consisted of six rooms. They were a typical decoration of the mid 18th century. The main hall of the palace is a picture. It features a unique lacquer painting finish. Their author was the serf master Fedor Vlasov. Murals are located on wall panels, slopes of windows, doors. All of them are made in the Chinese style.
For the Italian Antonio Rinaldi, the Palace of Peter III was the first independent project in Russia. The decor of many rooms of the palace is also made according to his sketches. For example, stucco molding on ceilings, as well as the famous “Rinaldi flower”.
During the Great Patriotic War, the premises of the palace kept valuables that were not evacuated. Since the beginning of 1953, an exhibition of Chinese art has been housed here. In the 60s, the restoration of the 18th century shpatler paintings that had previously been lost was gradually carried out. Next, a museum opens called the Palace of Peter III.
Honorary Entrance Gate
This is a unique architectural monument, which refers to small forms. In past times, they were the main gate to the amusing fortress of Peter. A little later, it was rebuilt in Peterstadt, larger in size. The gate provided entry to a small parade ground of a pentagonal shape. It was on it that the exercises of the troops of Peter III were carried out.
The octagonal tower ends with a thin high spire. On the spire there is a weather vane on which the date of construction is embossed - this is 1757. In the arch gates from crossed forged strips were placed. Today they are not there and you can safely walk under the arch. The author of the gate is also Antonio Rinaldi.
Petrovsky park
Architect Antonio Rinaldi took an active part in the breakdown of the park zone of the complex. It was created on the principle of gardens in Italy, with the participation of the master Lamberti. There were terraces, cascades of fountains, stairs, as well as several small pavilions: the Chinese house, the Soloviev’s gazebo, the Menagerie along with the fountain. Regular elements are also included in the overall composition: perfectly trimmed trees and shrubs, geometric lawns and various grounds.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the Oranienbaum Palace and Park Ensemble did not retain the original layout of the park. Today, the composition of the park is made up of the Karosta River, through which three bridges are thrown, and two ponds (Upper and Lower). The largest of all is the Trekharochny Petrovsky bridge. Also, with the help of granite slabs, a system of cascades is arranged on the river.
An interesting fact is that in the place of Peterdstat, once there was another amusing fortress. It was called in honor of Catherine the Great and was called "Yekaterinburg." Today, everyone can visit the palace of Peter III in Oranienbaum, admire the beauty of the park and see the decoration of the mid-18th century.