The personality of Peter I occupies a significant place in the history of Russia. And today, his memory is alive. All places that are associated with the stay of the Tsar reformer are interesting to historians and ordinary citizens of the country.
The first building in the new capital of Russia
The appearance of the building, which later became known as the House of Peter the Great, is connected with the historical events of 1703. At this time, Russia strengthened its position in the Baltic, there was a war with Sweden, the construction of the Peter and Paul Fortress and a new city on the banks of the Neva began.
By order of the king, a log house was erected . Its location was very convenient: from the vicinity it was possible to observe the progress of the construction of the fortress, the conduct of hostilities, the launching of ships on the water. Peter I lived in the house when he considered it necessary to be present in person at the events described.
Visiting the house and living in it continued until the first residence of the Tsar in St. Petersburg was built. Since 1708, the summer house of Peter 1 has ceased to be used for its original purpose.
Architecture
Construction was carried out by carpenters from among the soldiers. The house of Peter 1 was built in a very short time. According to eyewitnesses, this took only three days.
It was cut down from hewn pine logs that were taken for construction nearby. The carpenters in the construction of the building were guided by the old traditions associated with the construction of Russian huts. However, in some details of the building, one can notice the presence of elements of Dutch architecture. The king at that time was very passionate about the architecture of this country.
By order of the king, the logs were cut and painted under a red brick. The high roof was covered so that it looked like a tiled roof. The windows seemed unusually large for Russian architecture.
Interior arrangement
House Peter 1 has a very simple internal layout. The entire space of the room is divided into two parts, interconnected by a canopy. There was a king’s study, dining room and bedroom. There are no stoves or chimneys. This again indicates that the house was not used in the winter.
Preservation of the house by descendants
Settled down and every year gaining power St. Petersburg. The house of Peter 1, despite the modesty of the architecture, it was decided to preserve as an expensive relic. Thanks to the efforts of descendants, the construction has survived to its present day in its original form.
In 1731, a roof was erected over the house, which protected it from bad weather until 1784. It was then that the building was placed inside the stone "case". And in 1844, the "cover" was replaced by a new one. It was built of stone and glass, covered with an iron roof. That is what the building looks like now.
The territory was transformed around the place where the house of Peter the Great is located. In 1852, the site was surrounded by a cast-iron fence. A small square was set up in front of the building, enclosing it with a metal grate. The work was carried out in 1875. At the same time, a bust of Peter was installed in the square.
Museum
For a short time there was a chapel in the house. For this, changes were made to its architecture and internal arrangement. But later they were eliminated, and the building was again given its original appearance.
In 1930, the summer house of Peter 1 went through another transformation: a museum was opened here. His exhibits were personal items of the king, household items, documents related to that era.
Special efforts were required from the workers of the memorial museum during the Great Patriotic War. Peter's house had to be carefully masked, saving him in a similar way from destructive bombing. After the blockade was lifted, this particular museum was one of the first to be restored. In 1944, he already received his visitors.
In the post-war years, during the existence of the USSR, the house itself, the dome and the metal grill around the building were overhauled. In addition, scientific restoration of all structures was carried out.
For more than fifty years, the museum has been able to work year-round, as the building has been heated. Expositions are located inside the house and in the cover room.
House in Kolomenskoye
There is another interesting building related to the life of the king. The Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve can tell a story about it. The house of Peter 1 was moved here in 1934. This happened thanks to the efforts of Peter Dmitrievich Baranovsky - the first director of the memorial complex in Kolomensky. It was he who saved the house from destruction (the decision to demolish the building was already taken by the authorities of Arkhangelsk).
Construction dates back to 1702, and the place of construction was the mouth of the Northern Dvina. The house was built specifically for the king. He came to these parts to personally supervise the construction of the fortress on the newly annexed lands and evaluate its strategic importance in protecting Arkhangelsk from the Swedish attack.
Peter I lived in the house for only two months, but later locals were very proud of his stay here. It was they who made efforts more than once to save the historic building.
In 1710, it was moved from a low wetland to a territory more secure for a wooden building.
According to contemporaries, in the period from 1723 to 1730 (historians did not establish the exact date), a fire broke out in the house, but it was quickly extinguished.
In 1800, the building was restored, after which it stood for another 77 years. In 1877, the house was moved to Arkhangelsk, for safety they were covered with a wooden "case", which was later replaced by a stone one. In this form, the house stood on the embankment of the Northern Dvina until it was transported to Kolomenskoye.
At the new location, Peter's house was assembled in violation of the rules of restoration work. Only in 2008 was the architecture of the building reliably recreated, its interior decoration.
The house was built in the traditional Russian style, but elements of innovation are visible here. According to the assumptions of historians, they could appear by personal order of the king.
The modern exposition of the museum acquaints visitors with the historical events of the times of Peter the Great, the outstanding personality of the king-transformer, his versatile interests. This is the only museum in Moscow dedicated to the life of Peter I.