In the south of Moscow there is a unique old palace and park complex, which is the greatest monument of architecture, history and culture. "Tsaritsyno" - an open-air museum.
From the history of the complex
The places that today we call Tsaritsyno have been known since the end of the 16th century. In those days, it was the estate of Boris Godunov's sister, Tsaritsa Irina. Then the village was called Bogorodskoye. At the end of the 16th century, the buildings of the queen were destroyed, the area was abandoned, only a cascade of ponds remained, which was equipped under the Godunovs.
From 1633 these places became known as Black Mud. The Streshnev boyars, relatives of the first tsar from the Romanov family, Mikhail Fedorovich, became the owners of the village.
In 1684, the boyar Streshnev ceded the village to his grandson, A. V. Golitsyn, who was the favorite of Princess Sophia. When she was deposed, the property of the Golitsyns was confiscated and transferred to the state.
In 1712, by the Decree of Peter I, Chernaya Mud and nearby lands passed into the possession of Prince Cantemir, the Moldavian ruler, faithfulally of Russia in the confrontation with Turkey. In the new domain, Cantemir built a wooden palace on a high hill.
Tsaritsyno under Catherine II
Once the great empress, passing through the territory of the Black Mud, was fascinated by the beauty of these places and without hesitation bought the estate from Prince Cantemir. This happened in 1775. The same summer, a wooden palace was built for the Empress and her favorite, Prince Potemkin, consisting of only six rooms, as well as the most necessary office premises.
In 1775, Empress Catherine II ordered to build a pleasure residence near Moscow on this territory. The great architect V. Bazhenov was entrusted with creating the project and bringing it to life. The empress wanted the building to be in the Moorish or Gothic style, and the park to be landscaped.
Tsaritsyno Museum in Moscow
In 1984, a museum of arts and crafts appeared on the territory of the park in Tsaritsyno. At this time, the restoration of many buildings of the complex began. In 1993, it received the status of a museum-reserve, which was important for that time, and some time later it was included in the list of monuments of culture and history of federal significance. Since 2005, the museum-estate "Tsaritsyno" has become the property of the city of Moscow. At the same time, restoration began on the estate. Landscaping work was carried out under the guidance of architect M. R. Morina. Currently, activities are ongoing for the improvement and restoration of park areas - Bakhrushinka and Orekhovskayaoutskirts.
Tsaritsyno Palace Ensemble
This complex, built by V. Bazhenov, the best architect of the 18th century, was later changed. The Grand Palace was built at intervals from 1786 to 1796 on the site of previously dismantled Bazhenov buildings. It was erected by the student of the great architect Matvey Kazakov. In some ways, he repeats Bazhenov's plan. It is based on two square-shaped wings, in which the chambers of Catherine II, as well as Tsarevich Pavel, were supposed to be located. The "wings" of the building are connected by a monumental and majestic middle part. At the same time, despite the presence of bright pseudo-Gothic elements - towers, lancet arches, in its decision the palace is close to the canons of classicism: three-part division of facades, strict symmetry, balance of proportions. In many ways, the Grand Tsaritsyno Palace demonstrates "sovereign power". It lacks Bazhenov's lightness and playfulness.
Due to the sudden death of the Empress, the palace was not completed. It has never been used in any way. Only in 2005-2007 the Tsaritsyno museum was created here (you can see the photo in our article). Today it is a very popular tourist destination.
Tsaritsyno Museum Estate: Small Palace
All visitors to the unique ensemble are attracted by the Small Palace, located on a hill near the bank of the Upper Pond, not far from the Figured Bridge. It was built by Vasily Bazhenov in 1776-1778. This is a small building, rather, reminiscent of a parkpavilion, decorated with the monogram of the Empress. Unlike other ornate buildings at Tsaritsyno, this majestic and exquisite emblem is the only decoration of the building, except for the elaborate upper parapet. There is a version that the palace was built for the empress, so that she would spend time here playing a card game, which she loved very much.
In a relatively small room, Bazhenov managed to make six rooms. Two of them are so small that only one person can be in them. Perhaps this is the quarters for sentries. The most spacious is the main oval hall. The windows of this room offer a magnificent view of the Upper Pond. All the ceilings in the palace are vaulted.
At the beginning of the 19th century, it was used as a coffee house, which was visited by people walking in the park. Then it was a guardhouse for the guards of the estate. In the future, it was not used in any way, and by the beginning of the 20th century it had turned into ruins. For seven years (1989-1996) the building was reconstructed. Now it hosts museum exhibitions.
Bread House
Thousands of tourists visit Tsaritsyno every year. The estate, the park-museum, fountains and, of course, the Bread House attract guests not only from our country, but also from abroad.
Bread House is a building that is part of a unique ensemble, erected in 1785 by the talented architect V. Bazhenov. It is quite deservedly considered one of its most original and interesting buildings. Moreover, it is the largestthe building of the architect, preserved not only in Tsaritsyno, but throughout Moscow.
The Khlebny Dom got its name in the 19th century thanks to the high reliefs preserved on the front facades, which depict a loaf and a s alt shaker.
The building was built as a kitchen building. After Catherine II, dissatisfied with the work of Bazhenov, removed the architect from construction in the Tsaritsyno estate in 1786, M. Kazakov became the head of it.
The kitchens of the Bread House were used for their intended purpose for some time. The office premises of the Tsaritsyno estate were also located here.
In 1849, by order of Nicholas I, a project was created to adapt this building to an almshouse and a hospital. In 1852, a hospital for peasants was opened here. In 1920, communal apartments spontaneously appeared in the building, which gradually occupied the entire habitable part of the building. They lasted until the 70s of the last century.
Active restoration work began in 2005, when the Tsaritsyno museum became the property of the city. The bread house acquired a new parapet, which Bazhenov planned, but did not have time to build. The courtyard was covered with a glass dome. In 2006, the Bread House was opened to visitors. Today it houses the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve, or rather, its main expositions. In addition, there are exhibition and concert halls.
Tsaritsyno Park
This is the most valuable monument of park art. It began to form in the XVIcentury, in those days when the estate belonged to Prince Cantemir. It was a "regular garden", which showed a clear geometry of alleys and green spaces.
During the reign of Catherine II, parks imitating the naturalness of nature came into fashion. They were called landscape. The creation of such a park was entrusted to the English gardener Francis Reed.
The park in Tsaritsyno reached its heyday at the end of the 19th century, when the structure of paths and alleys was formed, various structures appeared: arbors in the Empire style, bridges, grottoes.
At the end of the 20th century, the park fell into disrepair. In 2006, the Tsaritsyno Museum-Park began to be restored. Landscaping work has not yet been completed. But much of the park has been restored.
Greenhouse
When visitors come to "Tsaritsyno", the museum-estate, park, palaces make an indelible impression on them. This is evidenced by the reviews of numerous tourists.
The greenhouse economy appeared on the territory of the estate during the reign of Prince Cantemir. It was created not far from the cascade of ponds, which were later called greenhouses. In 1776, Bazhenov restored the old Kantemirov greenhouses, and then built a new one. She was made of stone. In 2006, during archaeological excavations, its foundation was discovered.
In addition to numerous fruit trees, a myriad of flowers were grown here, with roses always preferred. In XIXcentury, the economy fell into decay. A holiday village appeared on the site of the greenhouses.
The greenhouse buildings were completely restored in 2007.
The Tsaritsyno Museum in Moscow is not only a unique historical and architectural monument, but also one of the most beautiful places in the capital.
Pavilion "Temple of Ceres"
For a long time it was believed that this gazebo was built in the 1780s by Bazhenov. However, modern research gives reason to believe that this building was erected in 1805 by I. Egotov. He replaced the dilapidated building of Bazhenov. How it looked in its original form is unknown, but, most likely, Enotov repeated the creation of the great architect in some way or used some elements of his project.
Arbor-rotunda has eight columns of the Ionic order. She is graceful, slender and perfectly proportioned. Initially, there was a statue of Ceres, the goddess of fertility, but it has not survived to this day. Today a sculpture by A. Burganov has taken its place. The arbor "Temple of Ceres" in the last century was quite often restored. The last time work was carried out in 2007.
Singing Fountain
This is a real gem in the ensemble of the park. It is located on the Middle Pond. The fountain has been operating since 2007. Every year since May connoisseurs of beauty enjoy the harmony of color, music and light. The fountain miraculously turned the old park into a fairy tale come to life.
All visitors to the estate are amazed by the size of this building.807 water jets rise to a height of 15 meters. They fall into a mirror-like water surface with an area of 2500 m2. The fountain works accompanied by beautiful music. 73 pumps ensure that its bowl is filled with water.
The fountain does not work in winter. It is covered with a special dome 13 meters high. It protects the structure from severe frosts and temperature changes.
Ponds
The cascade of ponds in "Tsaritsyno" was formed over two hundred years. The oldest of them is Borisovsky, which appeared during the reign of Boris Godunov. The Upper and Lower Ponds arose when the Streshnevs owned the estate. The lower pond was created in the middle of the 17th century. The middle pond appeared already in the 80s. Then a high dam was built, along which the Novotsaritsynskoe highway was laid, dividing the Lower Pond into two equal parts.
How to get to the estate "Tsaritsyno"
For those who decide to visit the Tsaritsyno museum, the opening hours are very convenient - the reserve is waiting for guests every day from 6.00 to 24.00. At this time, you can freely and completely free to enter the territory of the complex.
In the Bread House, however, as in the Grand Palace, you can go from 11.00 to 18.00 daily. Monday is the only day off. Saturday opening hours extended until 20.00.
Greenhouses can be visited every day from 11.00 to 18.00 and on Saturday until 20.00. Monday and Tuesday in the greenhouses are days off and preventivedays.
Light and Music Fountain during the whole summer season (from May to September) is open from 9.00 to 23.00.
Ticket prices
As already mentioned, the entrance to the territory of the museum-estate is completely free. Everyone who wants to visit the Tsaritsyno museum will be pleasantly surprised by the prices. You can buy one ticket to the Grand Palace, as well as to the Bread House for 300 rubles. The entrance fee to one greenhouse costs 100 rubles, a ticket to two will cost you 180 rubles. And if you want to visit three greenhouses, then you will have to pay 250 rubles.
Photography is allowed in the Grand Palace. It costs one hundred rubles. In the Bread House and greenhouses - fifty rubles.
How to get there
If you are interested in the unique museum-estate "Tsaritsyno", we will explain how to get to it.
If you plan to use public transport, you should go to the Tsaritsyno metro station. Exit at the radio market and go straight ahead. In five minutes you will be at the main entrance to the park. You can get to the museum from the Orekhovo metro station.
You can also come to the Tsaritsyno museum by car. How to get there faster? It is better to drive up to the estate from Tyurina Street. On this side there are two large parking lots. Arrive early on weekends as there may not be enough parking spaces.
Today we made a short trip to Tsaritsyno. The museum, which is a unique natural and cultural attraction, will not leave anyone indifferent. Here are collectedthe best monuments of Russian history of the XVIII century. Now the estate has been restored and is in excellent condition. So don't delay your trip. Come to Tsaritsyno. The museum-estate will help you feel the atmosphere of distant times, will allow you to appreciate the beauty of Russian nature. Come with the whole family, with children. Such a trip will be very useful for them and will be remembered for many years.
