Felix Yusupov is the last representative of the famous princely family. Known primarily as a participant in the murder of Rasputin. But in today's article we will not talk about the relationship between the prince and the scandalous " elder " , but about one of the historical monuments of Crimea. Namely, about the hunting house of Yusupov.
In Bakhchisarai (Crimea) is the former residence of the Crimean Khanate. The famous architect Krasnov, taking as a basis the motives present in the appearance of this palace, created a project according to which at the beginning of the 20th century a building was built for one of the richest people in Russia.
Yusupov's hunting house in the Crimea is not particularly solemn. Among the projects of Krasnov - the man who created the famous Yalta sights - this building attracts perhaps the least attention from tourists. The story of Yusupovās hunting house is not so interesting as the biography of the man who once owned it. Nevertheless, we will tell about the events witnessed by the walls of this ancient building .
Mansion building
About ten years before the event, which served as the basis for Felix Yusupovās book ā The End of Rasputin ā , the prince received from his father a mansion located in Kokkozy . Today this settlement is called Sokolinoe. Coccoses in translation from the Crimean Tatar - " blue eye " . The name " Falcon " appeared, of course, not by chance. After all, Yusupovās house is a hunting one.
The prince wished to become the owner of a small palace built in oriental style. But it was not enough for him to admire the achievements of modern architects. This small building was originally intended for falconry. True, the prince did not have much to hunt. Yusupov's hunting house was built in 1908. Six years later, as you know, the First World War began.
Yusupov's emigration
The war took the princely family by surprise. It would seem that everyone had been waiting for her for a long time, but nevertheless at the last moment she fell upon Yusupov and his young wife like snow on his head. For several months, the prince was not allowed to leave Germany. The Yusupov family had difficult times. In 1916 there was a loud murder of the famous Russian peasant, who surprisingly managed to enter the Trust in Alexandra Fedorovna. This happened in December. And a few months later the revolution broke out.
Yusupov and his family were forced to emigrate. First he went to the Crimea, from there to Malta, then to Paris. The prince never returned to Russia. He died in the French capital in 1967. However, let us return to the hunting house of Yusupov. What fate was in store for this oriental-style architectural ensemble?
Soviet time
During the revolution, Yusupovās hunting house was not badly damaged. Well, it was not subjected to major repairs. This building was used at different times for various purposes. There was a reading room, a club, and a summer tourist base. According to the experts on the sights of this part of Crimea, even in Soviet times, one could see a sign that summarized information about the hunting house. Among other things, a visit to the Yusupov estate by the last Russian emperor was mentioned. But, of course, this memorial plaque did not appear in the post-revolutionary years, but much later.
What happened inside the walls of the Yusupov hunting house during the Great Patriotic War is not known for certain. Some say that the German command organized a casino here. Others claim that the occupiers used the princely building as a brothel. Many years after the end of the war, a boarding school was opened in the walls of the Yusupov Palace, which operates today.
Architectural features
Description of the hunting house Yusupov in his book " Memoirs " gave the previous owner. The prince remembered the Crimean estate with great warmth, which, apparently, was associated with nostalgic experiences. So, how did Yusupov describe his estate? White palace, covered with ancient tiles, surrounded by a vineyard. A small stream in which trout was found ran against its walls. In his book of memoirs, Yusupov argued that fish could be caught while on the balcony. The interior furnishings also fully corresponded to the ancient oriental style. The blue eye is the main motive in the interior. He was present in the decoration of furniture, dishes, in stained-glass windows.
There are many magnificent palaces on the southern coast of the Crimean peninsula. Those who have visited these sights more than once will hardly be impressed by the house that once belonged to the last of the Yusupovs. This building is not surrounded by lush gardens, and the building itself does not stand out from the seaside landscape. But once it was one of the most beautiful not only on the peninsula, but throughout Russia.
Here and today, everywhere there is an image of a blue eye - the main symbol of the Yusupov estate. The palace painting was entrusted to graduates of the Stroganov School. The manufacture of tiles - to local residents. This is a pretty important part of the buildingās decor. The tiles were made according to the drawings of Krasnov himself. Imitation of antiquity was performed so skillfully that even in the book " Memoirs " the author, describing this house, uses such an expression as " patina of time " . But the prince was the first owner of the mansion.
Askerin
According to Nikolai Krasnov, apparently, a typical European palace against the backdrop of a mountain landscape would be inappropriate. Therefore, the architect created a project for the building, which is a cross between the Tatar hut and the Khan's palace. By the way, this estate in the time of Yusupov was called, of course, not a hunting house. Representatives of the princely family called her " Askerin " , which means " belonging to the military. " Apparently, in honor of Yusupov Sr., holder of many military awards.
Palace nowadays
What does Yusupov 's Hunting House look like today ? In the photo presented in this article, you can see this building from different angles. This attraction is an architectural monument of local importance. According to tourists, the fact that the building was once white can only be guessed. The walls have a dirty beige hue, the tiled roof is in need of repair. The hunting house will hardly ever be as visited as, for example, the Yusupov Palace. Nevertheless, this building is worthy of attention. After all, it is a model of ancient oriental architectural style, which is part of the picturesque Crimean landscape.
Reviews
The tiled roof was once the color of a sea wave. This is stated in the same book of Yusupov's memoirs. Today, the majolica coating has lost its original shade. Near the main building you can see the old fountain, and near it - a modern guest building. The old outbuilding, which appeared here in pre-revolutionary times, had to be completely redone.
According to reviews of Yusupov's Hunting House, getting there is not easy. The building still houses a boarding school. Perhaps soon the former estate will be transferred to the Museum Association of Crimea. But today, unfortunately, visits are limited.