St. Petersburg is known all over the world for its magnificent numerous architectural buildings. Tourists from all over the world come to admire the interesting places of the city and its sights. One of the masterpieces of construction in the city is the Mikhailovsky Palace, which has an interesting past and is inextricably linked with the name of its architect Rossi.
Start of construction
The history of the creation of the Mikhailovsky Palace is interesting and covers more than one decade.
Paul I issued a decree on the imminent construction of a residence for the recently born son Michael and the accumulation of money for this. The ruler even sketched a number of drawings of the future palace. However, the idea was not realized during the life of the ruler, as he was killed by the conspirators.
The emperor's decree was nevertheless carried out later by his senior heir, Alexander I. The then-famous Karl Rossi was chosen as the chief architect of the palace, who began a two-year design in 1817.
Initially, the building was planned to be built on the site of the Vorontsov Palace, then on the site of Count Chernyshev. AlexanderI did not approve the plan for the restructuring of buildings, as it entailed too large expenses and did not have a royal scope. The monarch offered another vast plot for construction, where the architect Rossi erected an architectural ensemble of excellent beauty and scope. This included a magnificent palace with a square, a couple of buildings on the sides, a couple of streets. In addition, a garden was laid out nearby. The foundation of the palace was laid in the summer of 1819. The construction was carried out during the warm period to ensure the stability of the buildings.
Completion of works
The architect of the Mikhailovsky Palace was engaged in its planning and construction. Radical ideas and redevelopment made it possible to connect the complex with the most important thoroughfare of St. Petersburg - Nevsky Prospekt. Thus, the front part of the building had an impressive view from the central road of the city.
In his drawings, the creator of the Mikhailovsky Palace carefully thought through everything to the smallest detail: from the pattern on the floor to the layout of the garden. The most famous talented artists and sculptors participated in the creation of various decorative elements: S. Pimenov, F. Bryullov, B. Medici, V. Zakharov and others.
Large-scale work ended in 1825. Costs in monetary terms amounted to more than seven million. Michael I and his wife soon settled in the newly erected palace.
Mysterious Rossi
The life of the chief architect of the Mikhailovsky Palace, gifted by Rossi, is full of mysteries and contradictions. There are several versions about the birthplace and origin of the brilliant master. The most recognized isthe assumption that Carlo di Giovanni Rossi was born in Naples in 1775. His father was of noble origin, and his mother was a famous ballerina, who, along with the boy's stepfather, Charles de Pic, was offered a job in the capital of the Russian Empire.
According to another version, the birthplace of the future talented architect was St. Petersburg. However, everyone is unanimous in the opinion that Karl Rossi was in a cultural environment from childhood and was imbued with a sense of beauty. In Russia, the boy's Italian name was changed into the Russian version - Karl Ivanovich. He did not know Russian then, but soon succeeded in learning it.
The Rossi family was very respected, as they made a great contribution to the cultural life of the capital. Charles de Pic was honored to give dance lessons to the children of the Emperor himself.
Career and creations of the great architect
The beginning of Carl's career was helped by the fact that the famous architect Vincenzo Brenna, who later became the boy's teacher, became a friend of the family. Carl's talent showed up even then. A fateful event also played a role. One day, Brenn injured his hand and was unable to sketch the Engineering Castle, so he invited his student to help him.
However, even with brilliant abilities and a brilliant career, Karl Ivanovich Rossi died in his old age in need. From two wives he left ten children, all responsibility for which, including material, was assigned to the elderly Rossi until the end of his days. He died of cholera in 1849, having contractedworkers.
Carl Rossi is revered as one of Italy's most talented architects, bringing luxury masterpieces of construction to the world. The results of the master's talents are represented by numerous buildings and architectural complexes in and around St. Petersburg. Among the outstanding works, one can mention the Mikhailovsky Castle, the Yelagin Palace, the Alexandrinsky Theatre, the General Staff building and the triumphal arch on Palace Square. For the construction of the Mikhailovsky Palace complex with all its infrastructure, Rossi was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir of the 3rd degree and a plot for a house at the expense of the state.
Appearance
An excellent example of architecture is the Mikhailovsky Palace, whose architectural style is Empire, or high classicism. British scientist Grenville found the building to be the most magnificent architectural creation.
In the 21st century, only the facade and the western wing have survived unchanged. It is now possible to see the results of the work of the architect of the Mikhailovsky Palace only in two originals of classical art - the decoration of the White Hall and the main lobby.
The frieze of the palace is decorated with 44 three-dimensional sculptures made by the famous sculptor Demut-Malinovsky. The inside of the palace is accessed by a chic spacious staircase, which is ennobled by stone sculptures of lions. Side risalits are decorated with high Venetian windows.
Ahead of the front side of the building was a cozy front garden. The other side of the palace, overlooking the Mikhailovsky Garden, was also magnificent.decorated. The majestic loggia-colonnade adds beauty to its middle part. The building was separated from the square by a massive metal fence in the form of spears with gilded tips.
Mikhailovsky Palace soon after its construction became famous in various European countries. For example, at his request, the English monarch was presented with a model of the palace.
Interior decoration
The interior decoration of the palace, as well as the exterior, surprises with its grandiosity. The ingenious Rossi thought out everything to the smallest detail and performed it together with the most talented specialists. All elements of the decor of the building, invented by the architect of the Mikhailovsky Palace, were in harmony. This is the decoration of walls and ceilings, wallpaper, carved furniture, satin pillows, elegant chandeliers.
Ornamental parquets were made from a variety of precious woods. Elements of painting, separate parts of the main staircase and furniture made according to Rossi's drawings have come down to our time. You can read many admiring descriptions of the Mikhailovsky Palace in the surviving written evidence of the century before last.
Interiors
In the 21st century, the decoration of the lobby, the main staircase and the White Hall remained unchanged. The stunning vestibule, which has come down to us through the centuries, is very impressive with its vast arch at the entrance, the solemn main staircase, a ceiling richly decorated with paintings, beautifully executed bas-reliefs on the walls. It is noteworthy that Rossi clearly planned all the rooms, concentrating them around the main internal staircase.
The lower floor of the palace contained the personal quarters of the ruler, which included 6 rooms. Among them was the Arsenal with weapons, including military cannons, which played an important role in suppressing the Decembrist uprising. There were also rooms for officials, guests, servants and kitchens.
The second floor contained various ceremonial rooms for receptions and balls and a library. Especially here the White Hall stood out for its splendor. The interior decoration cost more than the construction of the palace itself.
White Hall
The chic White Hall can be called the pearl of the Mikhailovsky Palace in St. Petersburg. For centuries it has amazed and delighted visitors. This hall was considered perfect, and a many times smaller copy of this room was presented to the English monarch at his request.
The magnificent hall was famous as the musical salon of St. Petersburg under Princess Elena Pavlovna. The White Hall is a phenomenal interior in terms of craftsmanship and splendor, where the author's decor and furniture made according to the drawings of Rossi himself have remained unchanged.
Flourishing period
In the summer of 1825, the Mikhailovsky Palace was solemnly consecrated, and the monarchs settled there. Under Mikhail Pavlovich, the palace became the core of the social life of the Russian nobility. The owner of the palace received civilians and military persons here every day. Foreign citizens who were lucky enough to visit there were delighted with the splendor of dances and musical accompaniment, decor, food and the number of guests.
In the middle of the 19th century, the life of the monarch ended, andthe residence was inherited by his wife Elena Pavlovna, who continued to conduct secular receptions. The Mikhailovsky Palace turned into a cultural center, where prominent cultural activists came. Among the visitors were Pushkin, Aivazovsky, Bryullov and many other famous people. It was then that A. Rubinstein created the Russian Musical Society, and then the first Conservatory in Russia.
A period of decline
Later, in order to cover costs, the main rooms were rented for various events. Princess Elena left the residence to her daughter Ekaterina Mikhailovna. She, in turn, made a will about his transfer of the palace to her descendants, who, however, became German subjects. Alexander III considered this situation absurd and decided to buy the palace at the expense of the state. However, he failed to do so. This event had to be carried out by his son Nicholas II five years before the end of the century. The previous owners were allowed to keep some things. After that, the palace was on the verge of ruin.
Russian Museum
Having redeemed the palace at the behest of the emperor, Minister of Finance S. Witte proposed the idea of setting up the Imperial Museum of Russian Art here. Nikolai Alexandrovich liked this idea, and in 1895 he issued a decree on the transformation of the entire infrastructure of the former imperial residence into the Russian Museum.
Everything, except for the main staircase and the White Hall, was redone by architect V. Svinin. Fortunately, the appearance has remained unchanged from the timethe creator of this miracle.
The Russian Museum was opened to visitors in 1898. Since the collection of paintings has grown greatly, more space was needed to house them. Therefore, in the 10s of the twentieth century, the architect Benois designed a new building, one of the sides overlooking the Griboyedov Canal. The building had to be completed after the First World War. The building was completed and named after its architect - the Benois building.
During the Great Patriotic War, the Mikhailovsky Palace was damaged during shelling. During the blockade, the besieged residents did their best to preserve the museum's treasures.
Now the magnificent Mikhailovsky Palace is the main building of the Russian State Museum complex, famous for its luxury and harmony. The museum contains many outstanding creations of eminent artists and sculptors. Among the works there are works by great Russian painters: Andrei Rublev, Karl Bryullov, Ilya Repin, Ivan Shishkin, Mikhail Vrubel, Marc Chagall and many others.
The museum hosts various interesting exhibitions, lectures and other events that bring together many people.
Address and opening hours
Today, every resident of St. Petersburg knows where the Mikhailovsky Palace is located, since now it houses the famous Russian Museum. It is located on Arts Square, 4 Inzhenernaya Street. You can walk to the palace from Gostiny Dvor and Nevsky Prospekt metro stations.
Mikhailovsky Palace opening hours - from 10:00 to 18:00 daily, except Tuesday.
