On the south the coast of the Crimean peninsula, twelve kilometers from Yalta, there is a village with the unusual name Koreiz - “populated place”. It is also a resort, as evidenced by many hotels and spa complexes. Among local attractions - Yusupov Palace in Crimea (1910). Its owner is a Russian officer, a monarchist patriot, philanthropist, publicist Felix Feliksovich Yusupov (1887-1967) - the last representative of the famous princely dynasty. Along the line of Irina’s wife, he was related by kinship with the royal Romanov dynasty. Participated in the murder of Rasputin.
The mystery of the XX century
Where is the Yusupov Palace in the Crimea? Since the 1970s of the twentieth century, a building of grayish Gasprinsky limestone seems to be hidden in the thicket of high-rise buildings and dense greenery of the park. In Soviet times (sometimes even now) vacationers did not realize the existence of the creation of Nikolai Krasnov - academician of architecture, chief architect of Yalta, the author of the project of the Livadia Palace.
This is understandable: in the 20s of the 20th century, the estate was nationalized and given to state sales. The holiday home was intended for elected persons from among the employees of the state political administration and the NKVD. The place is associated with the names of Dzerzhinsky, Stalin and other personalities who were never mentioned in vain.
The Yusupov Palace in Crimea is covered with many legends. Some are obvious fabrications, others are nothing but a popular response to real events. For example, they say that Joseph Stalin himself was resting in the former princely chambers before and after the war.
There was a big three
As for the holidays spent by Joseph Vissarionovich in the former princely estate, history is silent. But the fact that he has been there more than once is known for certain. During the harsh years of World War II, the headquarters of the People’s Commissar of Defense, the chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars of the USSR and the State Committee of Defense were stationed in the Yusupov Palace, which was not damaged during the revolutionary events of the 17th year, or from the bombing of World War II.
Under the old vaults, the Soviet delegation “lodged” who arrived at the famous Yalta Conference. The meeting of the Big Three (Stalin-Roosevelt-Churchill) took place in Livadia. What attracted Joseph Vissarionovich to the Yusupov Horseshoe (such is the form of the structure)? Perhaps the fact that the house is in a secluded place and does not flaunt the pomp of architectural decoration?
The Yusupov Palace in Crimea is small, squat, but at the same time solid, even chic. He stands on a steep rocky shore, turning the convex part to the sea. And around - wonderful air, picturesque landscapes.
I will give you Ai-Petri, dear!
The view from the windows is really amazing. What are the vast expanses of water surrounded by narrow and short mountain ranges - the spurs of Mount Ai-Petri, this unfading symbol of the Southern Crimea! Once Felix Feliksovich Yusupov Sr. (aka Count Sumarokov-Elston) gave the top to his wife.
And today Yusupov Palace (Crimea) knows such unusual gifts. Excursions here become a good tradition, and walking in a small but beautiful palace park (area 16, 5 hectares), the people in love, apparently, are not averse to presenting to each other the Moon, the Sun, the sea, "gifting" Ai-Petri covered with morning fog. Romantic!
The green oasis of the estate was created by gardener Karl Kebach. But in the area there are relic trees that have been living for half a millennium. They were seen by people who lived in these parts long before the Yusupovs, Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill. You will not pass by when you come to rest in ancient Koreiz.
Who planted palm trees?
As for the Big Three, the rumor says: in memory of the meeting, the Allies planted three Chinese fan palm trees. They grow in the square in front of the main entrance. Archival information that "recorded" a friendly action of planting exotic flowering plants was not preserved.
But the plaque mounted on the central entrance (located in the concave part of the “horseshoe”), says that it is a symbol of three famous figures of history. Going to rest in Koreiz, admire the green "big three". Nowadays, the estate is under the jurisdiction of the President of the Russian Federation.
The guides will take you far into the past: they will tell about Princess Anna Sergeyevna Golitsyna, who owned the “Pink House”, about the winemaker Morozov (another of the owners of the house at different times).
F.F. Yusupov (senior) bought the estate in 1880, and in 1909 the architect Krasnov rebuilt the house according to the wishes of his son. So the Yusupov Palace appeared, in which in 1912 the engagement of Felix Feliksovich (younger) was held with his bride, niece of Nicholas II, Irina Alexandrovna. The owner called the building gray, more suitable for the city, but hospitable and convenient Yusupov Palace (Crimea). Photos can be seen in the article.
In the office of the leader of the peoples
The hospitality and convenience of the estate were noted by high-ranking persons of the Soviet state and leaders of various states who arrived here to meet in an official, friendly atmosphere. Such events were held here until 1990. Then M. Gorbachev gave the "estate-state delivery" to the city council of Yalta.
In the 1991th Union did not. The "dashing nineties" went with their unlimited privatization. The Yusupov Palace in Crimea was rented by a private company, which opened a luxury hotel, a business center. To attract customers, they installed memorial plates on the apartments: "Stalin", "Molotov", "Yusupov". Everyone who came to choose where to stay: in Stalin’s “bedchamber” or in Yusupov’s largest room. A stay cost about $ 100 per night.
There is also an office of Stalin with a modest desk and a comfortable armchair. Sightseers are allowed to sit in it, feel like a "leader of the peoples." You can, like Joseph Vissarionovich, pick up the receiver of a massive telephone (it stands in its original place) and say quietly / loudly: "I'm listening to you!".
Stalin's bunker
Much of the design of cabinets and bedrooms has been lost, but there are many things that still keep the spirit of history. There are many of them: elegant figurines, candlesticks, chandeliers, mirrors, watches. There is a billiard room ("Stalinist"), a piano has been preserved on which Molotov himself allegedly played music ...
The second building has a huge cellar, designed for storing wines. It was completed after 1917 according to the project of L. Golitsyn, who was well versed in winemaking.
Stalin liked the cellar primarily because it can be used as a safe house. So there was another (from existing real and in legends) Stalin's bunker. By the way, there are so many Yusupov palaces that it is easy for an uninitiated person to get confused where it is. True, not all of them have been preserved as well as the Korean one.
Palace lions await tourists
Crimea attracts tourists not only with history, but also with nature. We have already mentioned that the palace park is a real green pearl. Near the three memorable palms, a neat, picturesque pond splashes, the decoration of which is a sculpture of a boy and a fountain. Around blooming flower beds. Very beautiful! So I want to quickly find out where the Yusupov Palace (Crimea) is located. The address is extremely simple: Koreiz-1, Park Descent, 26.
Being at the South facade, you can see the stairs to the sea. She is guarded by sculptures of lions. Yusupov Sr. loved sculpture. Graceful figures of molluscs, goddesses stood everywhere. Lviv was generally impossible to count. Many park decorations have not been preserved. But even those that "survived" are enough to emphasize the beauty of the surrounding nature, its originality.
So, you decided that you should definitely see the Yusupov Palace (Crimea). How to get there Minibuses and taxis come here. From Lower Yalta you can sail by boat. A small note: if the people's dream comes true, the estate will receive the status of a house-museum.