One of the places, after visiting which many fell in love with summer Moscow, was Tsaritsyno. True, when you start moving towards the unknown, but recommended, the surrounding picture evokes despondency and a feeling of "below the poverty line." A terribly dirty and uncomfortable area stretches under the railway bridge, and it seems that there will be no end to it. Thoughts are getting darker and more uncertain. But how the sensations change when you cross the road and find yourself in front of an extended historical fence, in front of the entrance to the residence. Well, the Tsaritsyno fountain in almost 40-degree heat leads to a state of euphoria.
Tsaritsyno - for kings?
The Moscow region ensemble of the second half of the 18th century was planned as the summer residence of Catherine the Great and was built according to her decree. However, the empress did not have time to change the bored Kolomenskoye for fashionable, by European standards, Tsaritsyno. The palace, which was built here according to the project of Vasily Bazhenov, the samewhich later will design the St. Petersburg Mikhailovsky Castle, Catherine II did not like. Bazhenov falls into disgrace. Bazhenov's student, Matvey Kazakov, was invited to build the main dominant of the future residence. But the construction was rather delayed, and Ekaterina did not have time to live here - she died.
It should be noted that the place for the Tsaritsyno estate was not chosen by chance. In connection with the celebrations over the end of the Russian-Turkish war, Catherine II came to Moscow from St. Petersburg. In the vicinity of Kolomenskoye, the Empress was struck by her splendor at the estate with the unattractive name "Black Dirt", near which there was also a village owned by the owners. Catherine bought the lands and changed their name to Tsaritsyno, as they were intended for her.
Creation of the great Bazhenov
Why did Catherine II choose Vasily Bazhenov to build a new estate? First, at that time he was the court architect. Secondly, his skill and inexhaustible imagination, which resulted in incomparable, extraordinary in beauty and originality buildings, conquer the empress. Thirdly, she is still impressed by the unusual pavilions created by Bazhenov for the victorious celebrations on the Khodynka field.
The complex of buildings designed by Bazhenov in Tsaritsyno was supposed to be located on the highest point of the territory. He assumed two symmetrically located palaces: the Imperial andGrand Duke (for Tsarevich Pavel Petrovich and his wife), as well as the Cavalry Corps - for those close to him.
Around the "core" below along the ravine, auxiliary buildings should have been located: the Bread House (Kitchen building), the Cavalier building, the Chamberlain building (for the residence of serving girls), the Hexagonal and Cross-shaped pavilions.
Outwardly, all buildings at first glance resemble pseudo-Gothic, but this effect is obtained as a result of a bizarre mixture of elements of ancient Russian architecture and Moscow baroque architecture. Most of all, the color scheme of the facades confuses: red-brick with white decor. The roofs were originally covered with yellow tiles, which were later replaced with metal.
The residence of Ekaterina Alekseevna in Tsaritsyno did not provide for fountains. For what reasons Bazhenov did not use such fashionable and attractive technical delights in the 18th century is unknown.
Kazakov's work
After the resignation of V. Bazhenov, Matvey Kazakov is entrusted with the restructuring of the main palace. To Catherine II, it seems insufficiently shiny and spacious. To erect a new building, Kazakov has to completely dismantle Bazhenov's palace building. Kazakov suggests that the main palace will consist of two parts, connected by a high gallery, and a square with ramps will be laid out in front of it. To fulfill this idea, the Cavalry Corps and the Chamberlain Corps have to be dismantled. From the point of view of style, the new palace is more like those in St. Petersburg and pays tribute to classicism. Only a few details were kept by Kazakovfrom the Bazhenov project, and added small pointed turrets in the Gothic style.
Since G. Potemkin was the main inspirer of the construction in Tsaritsyno, after his death, Catherine II cools off to the Tsaritsyn idea, demands from Kazakov to remove the too magnificent Throne Room, which can lead to the death of the whole idea of the master. But the death of Catherine the Great does not allow this to happen. However, Emperor Paul, who came to the throne, stops all construction in Tsaritsyno. And life stops here.
Tsaritsyno Park
The death of Catherine II sealed the fate of the unfinished residence: the buildings and the park became a place for summer vacations and walks for Muscovites. In the 19th century, the fates of A. S. Pushkin, F. Tyutchev, F. M. Dostoevsky, A. P. Chekhov and other figures of Russian culture and art were connected with these places.
At one time, even Catherine II planned to equip the territory of Tsaritsyn in the form of landscape parks of the English type. So that everything here reminds of wildlife for the best rest of the owners. For this, she even ordered the famous gardener Francis Reed from England.
The main entrance to the estate is located on a hill and leads through the Figured Bridge. The lower entrance leads to the ponds and the central platform, on which the Tsaritsyno (singing) fountain is located.
Further, paths lead travelers to stylized fortress gates with turrets and the Opera House, which was built for balls and receptions. There are also greenhouses, fashionable in the XVIII-XIX centuries. Wandering along the paths, you understandthat in Tsaritsyno there are no fountains other than a musical one. And very sorry! But two graceful bridges lead to the only fountain in Tsaritsyno, on which it is very pleasant to sit under the spray on a hot summer day.
This modern innovation fits perfectly into the historical atmosphere of the Catherine era. And it serves as a stunning decoration, a highlight. The fountain in Tsaritsyno is open from May to October, from 9 am to 11 pm. Backlight turns on at 21:00.
