The Russian economy developed rapidly in the 17th century. At that time, foreign trade was confidently going on in the Arkhangelsk port. More than half of foreign trade transactions were made in it. The city represented the "face" of the country in front of the Western European states. Arkhangelsk needed majestic buildings with luxurious facades.
Gostiny yards of the northern city became not only a pleasant and convenient place for foreign and Russian merchants, but also performed a protective function. Nowadays, they are recognized as unique monuments of Russian stone architecture dating back to the 17th century.
History of Creation
In 1667, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich issued a decree ordering the construction of a grandiose stone structure in Arkhangelsk on an area of almost 9 hectares. The drawings of the architectural complex were made by urban planners P. G. Marselis and V. Scharf.
In those days, the city, rebuilt from wood, constantly blazed in fires. The fire destroyed a huge number of buildings and fortress walls, so they decided to build Gostiny Dvor from stone. Arkhangelsk, which has a rich history, received a difficult building for trade, a real fortress was erected in it with two guest complexes: Russian and German.
Kare with a huge area in the center formed the Russian and German court. The complex was equipped with elements of military and defensive significance. As a result, the courtyards, connected by walls, towers and other structures, surrounded by moats, turned into a powerful stone city-fortress.
The construction of the grandiose fortress lasted 16 years (1668-1684). In 1693, Peter I arrived in Arkhangelsk. The living quarters of the city, which he saw for the first time, delighted him. Their decline will begin in the 18th century, when foreign economic activity will be transferred to St. Petersburg. North Trade Center, once unclaimed, will begin to collapse.
Restoration of Gostiny Dvor
In 1770, after the construction was recognized as emergency, its immediate reconstruction began. The dilapidated sections of the Russian courtyard were dismantled, bricks and limestone slabs were sent for restoration. The German court and the Stone city-fortress were practically completely removed. The ruins of the German farmstead existed until the 20th century. At the beginning of the century, they were completely dismantled.
In the 70s of the 18th century, the façade of the building was given the classical outlines characteristic of the architecture of that era. In 1788 over a new foundationa one-story Exchange with a turret and front facade rose. Custom-made furniture was placed in the stock room, and fireplaces were equipped. During the season of navigation, a flag fluttered over the turret and a lantern burned.
Instead of the Stone City, warehouses 2 floors high for wine and s alt were erected. A tower was added to the storage rooms. The project for their construction was developed by the architect M. Berezin. He planned to attach a similar building to the North Tower. But meager funding and a lack of building materials forced the architect to suspend construction. Only in 1809, with great difficulty, it was possible to build the first floor of s alt warehouses without a tower.
Having lost the original complex with powerful fortress walls, Arkhangelsk received Gostinye Dvor, but not in the original version. After the middle of the twentieth century, the city lost most of the Russian court. Only the buildings on the western side, overlooking the embankment of the Northern Dvina, remained from it.
Despite this, the architectural complex with preserved buildings: the Russian Gostiny Dvor, the tower on the north side, the exchange, the shof and s alt warehouses, located in the city center near the embankment, looked majestic.
Gostiny dvor during the Great Patriotic War
Having lost its military significance, the complex was reorganized by the townspeople for peaceful purposes. The city council, court, customs were transferred to it. Shops were opened on its premises. During the Great Patriotic War, the cellars of s alt warehouses were used as bomb shelters. Local residents took refuge in them from air raids.
In addition, during the war years, premises for the White Sea Flotilla and a communications center were allocated in the buildings of the complex. The tasks of the military unit included providing communications with the Arctic and the Kara Sea.
Museum in Gostiny Dvor
Since 1981, the historical monument has been taken over by the city museum of local lore. Gostiny dvor (Arkhangelsk), or rather, their surviving parts, began to be slowly restored. The restoration plan included the restoration of the Russian Court, the tower and buildings on the north side, and s alt warehouses. After the completion of restoration work in 2010, Arkhangelsk found a simplified version of the majestic architectural ensemble. Gostiny Dvor is now the cultural, scientific and educational center of the city.
Interesting expositions have been created in its halls, telling about the monuments of the material and spiritual culture of the northern region. The museum constantly exhibits several exhibitions: about the cultural and historical heritage of Pomorie and Russian northern monasteries. Two chambers were given over to expositions dedicated to M. V. Lomonosov. One contains exhibits about the small homeland of the brilliant scientist of Russia, the second has a laboratory.
Activities of the local history museum
Gostiny dvor (Arkhangelsk) open their doors to many visitors. Exhibitions on different topics replace one another. Excursions are conducted around the surroundings of the architectural ensemble and its halls, attracting the attention of adults and children. Provide information about cultural and historicalheritage of the region, hold scientific and practical conferences.
Guests are invited to jazz and classical music concerts. They organize exciting quests, arrange folklore holidays, themed evenings, cadet balls, master classes and other events. The museum holds competitions. A special place is given to the contest "Young Talents". Talented craftsmen engaged in folk art crafts become its participants.
