In St. Petersburg, sights are everywhere. One of the brightest pearls among the architectural structures of the 19th century is the Kelch mansion. In the yard alone you can fall in love at first sight. Here are eccentric gnomes and sculptures entwined with hundred-year-old ivy. Unfortunately, now it’s hard to get into the courtyard, but if you ever get this opportunity, be sure to use it.
Historical roots
Since the mid-18th century, Tchaikovsky Street has been populated a little. Here, there were mainly empty plots of land that were distributed to prominent figures. One of these sites was received as a gift by the merchant Brother, who at that time held the post of burgomaster. He handed over the land to his daughter, but the house on this place never appeared, and this state of affairs continued until the end of the 18th century. In the late 1790s, the owners changed constantly, and the name of the first person who built a stone base with a wooden second floor did not survive in history.
In 1858, Grigory Kondoyanaki (consul of Greece) bought a house with land on Tchaikovsky Street. According to the project of A. Colman, a beautiful baroque mansion is being erected here .
Kelch family
At the end of the 19th century, the heiress of Siberian industrialists Varvara Petrovna Kelkh moved to Petersburg. She was very rich thanks to the fortune that her father had accumulated for her. In distant Siberia, Varvara Petrovna owned the Lena gold mines and part of the steamship on the Lena River.
Having settled in St. Petersburg, V.P. Kelkh buys the land of the former consul of Greece for 300 thousand rubles and orders to demolish the house. In its place, it was first planned to erect a mansion in the style of the French Renaissance. The architects Chenet and Chagin oversaw the project. But Varvara Petrovna did not like the result, and by her order another architect, K.K. Schmidt, was already beginning to redevelop. He preserved the overall picture without changing the facade, but creating a unique courtyard in the Gothic style. For 2 years of construction, a courtyard building and stables were added.
The interior looked no less beautiful. The mansion of Baron Kelch was visited by the whole Petersburg nobility, never ceasing to be amazed at the decoration of the halls. What stood one white room, in which was a collection of Faberge eggs. It is known that Mrs. Kelch was a passionate lover of French creativity.
Divorce and maiden name
But the Kelch family did not have to enjoy the beauty of the newly built house. The construction was completed in 1903, and in 1905 Varvara Petrovna divorced her husband Alexander Fedorovich and moved to Paris forever.
Alexander Fedorovich, unlike his ex-wife, did not have infinite wealth, so he needed money. In this regard, he sells a house, later known as the Kelch mansion, and marries a second time. But his plans were not destined to come true. During the reign of Stalin, he falls into disgrace, and he is sent to camps. His further fate, alas, is unknown.
Soviet period
Since March 1917, the Kelch mansion became the first School of Screen Art in the Soviet Union. Here they became actors and directors. In 1922, the school became an institute. Behind the scenes, the house on Tchaikovsky Street was called the "ice palace." There was no central heating here, and in winter, although fireplaces worked, it was terribly cold.
During World War II, the mansion was damaged by a high-explosive bomb. As a result of the explosion, a part of the building was lost. All the interior was taken out and lost.
Until the end of the existence of the Soviet Union , the party leadership of the Dzerzhinsky district of the city of Leningrad was located in the house. Meetings were held in the halls of the palace, and new members were solemnly welcomed here.
Modern life of the Kelch mansion
From 1991 to 1998 the house was empty. He was handed over to one organization or another, but no one could settle here. Since 1998, the law faculty of St. Petersburg University has been located in the building of the former Kelch mansion. All Peter began to refer to it simply as "House of Lawyers."
Until 2010, you could visit the restaurant, which was located on the ground floor. It was opened specifically to raise funds for the restoration of the palace. The restoration work really began in 2011.
How to see the house?
An excursion to the Kelch mansion is an amazing journey through the halls of the palace. You can book a tour from many travel agencies of St. Petersburg. For example, you can find out more detailed information on the site "Walks in St. Petersburg". Collaborating with St. Petersburg University, the organizers propose to make a unique tour into the historical past of the mansion. The guide is the head of the excursion department of the same university.
Interior
Unfortunately, little is known about how the house looked from the inside when the Kelch family lived there. All the furniture, furniture and decor were lost: first after the advent of Soviet power, and after - during the Second World War. Restoring the full picture is quite difficult, we can only assume what was in this or that room.
The greatest value was a collection of Faberge eggs. It is known that the husband of Varvara Petrovna Alexander Fedorovich gave his wife a new work of the French artist for each anniversary of their life together.
Let's imagine what the palace was like at its best. So, immediately from the street you would be met in the lobby with a wide, slightly curved staircase. Next, you would probably be invited to the dining room - to have lunch or drink tea. All significant events and balls were held in a white room with large windows and a crystal chandelier under the ceiling. Solitude with the boyfriends could have been in a room with an alcove. Gentlemen would certainly appreciate the decoration of the billiard room.
The second floor has always been intended for the bedrooms of the owners and guests. There was also an upper cabinet and a boudoir. Another office for business meetings was located on the ground floor.
One can only imagine how luxuriously the rooms were furnished. The Kelchs were insanely rich and hardly saved on decoration.
Patio
The Kelch mansion (St. Petersburg) is best known for the decoration of its courtyard. All internal facades are classic Gothic. Architect Schmidt especially succeeded in the effect of unplastered brick walls, which gives the painting completeness. But most of all, attention was paid to the openwork Gothic pavilion, which housed the stables. The statue adorning the interior was brought in several years later. The entrance to the courtyard itself begins with a Gothic arch.
Where is?
Even many of the indigenous inhabitants of St. Petersburg do not know where the Kelch mansion is located. How to get there, we'll figure it out together. First you need to get to the Chernyshevskaya metro station. From it, go along the avenue of the same name to the intersection with Tchaikovsky Street. Turn left and find the house at number 28. You are there.