There are quite interesting places in the suburbs. Some are familiar to many, but there are those that are in the shade.
Only a few years ago, few heard about Meyendorf Castle in Barvikha (the photo is presented in the article), but often saw him, passing the Barvikha state farm along the Podushkinskoye highway. Today it is the official residence of the Russian president and information from time to time appears about it in the news, but the grandeur and beauty of this building is not accessible to everyone. After a thorough restoration, the castle is surrounded by a high fence around the perimeter.
Castle history
The history of this architectural masterpiece began in 1874. The daughter of General Alexander Kazakov, romantic by nature Nadezhda, convinced her father to erect a castle in the spirit of chivalric novels. At that time, a small wooden castle was built on the banks of the pond near the small village of Podushkino (the future Barvikha).
Meyendorf Castle (photos are presented in the article) was built in 85-87 years of the XIX century according to the project of the famous architect P. S. Boytsov at that time.
Why did he get such a name? In 1904, Nadezhda Alexandrovna married a poor retired military man who had the title of baron, Mikhail Feliksovich Mayendorf. Thanks to this, she became a baroness, and this estate became known as the castle of Baroness Mayendorf. The name remains as it is now. The castle was visited by many famous people. For example, a memorial sign installed on the walls of the castle says that Emperor Nicholas II was also in it.
After the Mayendorf couple went abroad for treatment in 1914, they never returned to Russia. During the Civil War, the Soviet government was able to preserve the castle by attaching guards, and then organized a colony in this building for the children of the dead Red Army soldiers.
Since 1935, the castle turned into an elite sanatorium "Barvikha". Many celebrities were treated in it - Bulgakov M. A., Prishvin M. M., Gagarin Yu. A., Korolev S. P. and others. Later, the House of Culture of the Barvikha state farm was created here.
Architecture style
Baroness Meyendorf’s castle in Barvikha against the background of the general classical style of the estates of the 19th century nobles became unexpectedly bright.
The basis of the unusual image is a luxurious and romantic neo-Gothic. Here, from ancient photographs and engravings, the original elements are restored, combined with a thorough and rather attractive stylization of the interiors.
In a nearby park, grow such unusual and unique plants and trees that you could get in those days. In this park area there is also a picturesque lake, loved by swans.
A bit about the village
Baroness Meyendorf Castle is located in the village of Meyendorf Gardens. This is an excellent location, at the same time combining proximity to the metropolis (about 7 km from the Russian capital along the Rublevo-Uspensky highway) and a remote location from the main highway. Silence and wonderful ecology attract many to this picturesque corner.
The territory of the village is represented by a magnificent natural landscape - relic coniferous forest with lakes and ravines. There is also a well-groomed forest park walking area.
This village has a fairly high status in connection with the proximity to the territory of the sanatorium "Barvikha", where a wonderful architectural monument is located - Mayendorf Castle. The high level and status of the settlement is also due to the fact that this area is historically inextricably linked with well-known statesmen of culture, science, art and politics who have ever visited these places.
Modern destination
Since 2008, the castle has been owned by the Office of the President of the Russian Federation. Near, as noted above, there is a regular operating park covering an area of more than 3 hectares.
Today’s Mayendorf Castle hosts official meetings of the Head of Russia with representatives and heads of various states, with leaders of factions of the State Duma, and many other official events are held.
More detailed facts from the history of the reconstruction of the castle
Young lady Nadezhda Aleksandrovna in 1886 first married the General Staff officer E. A. Verigin. They immediately began remodeling the building, as noted above, according to the project of the famous architect Pyotr Boytsov, who played an important role in the architectural history of the Barvikha area. But a fatal incident early interrupted the life of her husband.
After she married that same Mayendorf, the castle was rebuilt again (already at the direction of the baron) - acquired a brick wall around the perimeter and new towers. In the fireplace room, located on the ground floor, a tapestry on the Great Flood was strengthened. This is supposed to be Benoit's work. Surrounded by a tapestry of monograms. On one of them is written in Latin Diluvium, which translates as "flood", and an inscription on the other - H and X - reads "House of Ikskuley" (the Mayendorf family began its history from this ancient family).
Reconstruction work in the castle of Meyendorf after leaving in 1914, the couple Meyendorf was no longer conducted.
Further story
After the October Revolution of 1917, V.I. Lenin lived and worked in the castle for some time, and then, in 1935, the Barvikha sanatorium belonging to the USSR Council of Ministers was created in the building of the former estate.
As already mentioned, many different personalities rested and underwent treatment here at different times.
Mayendorf Castle today
From 2003 to 2004, a major restoration was carried out in the castle and in the surrounding area. To recreate its former beauty and authentic interior, ancient engravings and paintings were used. The staircases and portals were completely restored; according to the finest details, a unique tapestry was assembled, which collapsed so much that it was impossible to remove it from the ceiling.
Today the castle consists of a main building and an outbuilding connected by a passage. Their facades have fully acquired their original appearance. Thorough restoration work gave the castle its former luxury. Gilding, windows, spiers, white stone - everything is preserved so precisely that there is not the slightest sign of a “remake”.
Even drainpipes and windows have acquired the same appearance that is depicted on ancient documents. Although double-glazed windows were installed, due to the fact that second frames were added to them, the castle view was preserved.
Some difficulties and innovations
During the reconstruction of the Mayendorf castle in Barvikha some difficulties arose. Especially they arose during the selection of bricks, since the same texture as it was before, today is impossible to find. But the problem was solved as follows: the outer edge was grinded off from the facing brick, and as a result, its internal texture became similar to the original brick.
The interior has undergone more serious changes associated with the new functionality of this castle and with modern technology requirements. In addition, the castle completed the basement, which housed the kitchen and other technical rooms. The building is equipped with modern air conditioning and ventilation systems. All technical elements are completely hidden in the wall, for example, ventilation hatches are inscribed in recreated old interiors.
The walls are finished with screen painting, and each room has its own special pattern. It should be noted that the restorers in the process removed more than 18 layers of paint. This had to be done in order to open a graceful and delicate pictorial pattern. In the corridor rooms the walls are covered with magnificent English silk.