A large number of palace buildings, the richness and luxury of their decoration have been transforming the architectural appearance of St. Petersburg for many years. After all, this city is famous for its unique palaces of major officials, aristocrats and other noble people. Worthy of great attention is the Summer Palace of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. You will learn more about it by reading this article.
Cultural life of the capital during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna
With the accession to the throne of the new empress, the next stage in the formation of cultural spheres started in the state. This heyday had an impact on the capital. The city has changed significantly. In the era of cultural development of St. Petersburg, preference was given to the construction of architectural monuments. The Summer Palace deserves special attention. The palaces of St. Petersburg to this day delight the eyes of the inhabitants of the city andtourists.
During the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna (1741 - 1761), the construction of palaces was of particular importance. Then Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, one of the best architects in the history of the state, was engaged in the erection of real masterpieces. Among his works is the Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna. It should be noted as the best work of the architect.
General characteristics of the structure
The Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna in St. Petersburg was built by BF Rastrelli in the period from 1741 to 1744. According to the architect, the building included about 160 apartments, including a church and galleries. The palace was decorated with numerous sculptures, fountains and a garden. Over time, the residence experienced a number of changes associated with the dissatisfaction of the architect with his work. Construction activities continued here for several years.
The Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna: the history of construction
The territory on which the Mikhailovsky Castle is located, in the first half of the 18th century, belonged to the Summer Garden - the royal estate of Peter I. Empress Anna Ioannovna ordered the construction of the palace to begin on this site. The construction was entrusted to the architect Rastrelli Jr. But the architect did not have time to start work during the life of the Empress.
In 1740, power passed to Anna Leopoldovna, who decided to implement the project founded by her predecessor. But after a while, a palace coup takes place, as a result of which the imperial power passesto the youngest daughter of Peter I, Elizabeth. Tsesarevna gives F. B. Rastrelli the order to build the Summer Palace. The Empress liked the result of the architect's work so much that she doubled his salary.
The exact date of laying the building is still controversial. According to some historians, this event falls on July 24, 1741. Moreover, the beginning of the bookmark took place in the presence of Empress Anna, her husband, as well as some courtiers and members of the guard.
Features of the architectural style
The Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna belongs to the Russian Baroque style. This was the name of the set of architectural trends that formed on the territory of the Russian Empire and the Russian state in the XII - XIII centuries. The structures of this period were characterized by:
- pomp and intricacy of architectural forms;
- luxury finishes;
- using modeling;
- using painting and gilding.
Among the styles of this era, Peter's baroque is distinguished, which arose thanks to the buildings not only of compatriots, but also of architects from Western Europe. They were invited by Peter I to ennoble the new capital, St. Petersburg.
The most characteristic features of Petrovsky Baroque were:
- rejection of the Byzantine manner;
- simplicity and practicality;
- fronts in red and white;
- presence of symmetry of forms;
- mansard roofs;
- arched window openings.
What the Summer Palace looked like
Many of the engravings and drawings that have survived from that era, almost exactly reflect the appearance of the palace. Stone was chosen as the basis for the first floor, and wood for the second. The building was painted in light pink shades, which is remarkable for the Baroque style. The basement was made of granite in gray-green color. The Summer Palace of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna had two facades: the main facade overlooked the Moika, towards the Summer Garden, and the other - to the Neva prospect.
Office buildings were located around the entire perimeter, which imitated a kind of isolation.
A wide road was laid along the Fontanka, which was accompanied by greenhouses and fruit trees. Part of this territory was occupied by the Elephant Yard, the inhabitants of which, if desired, bathed in the Fontanka.
The entrance to the palace was fenced with wide gates, on which gilded double-headed eagles shimmered. The gate was decorated with an openwork lattice. Behind the fence was a large front yard.
View of the main facade was blocked by large flower beds and trees, which turned into a kind of park.
The central building occupied the Great Front Hall. It was decorated with Bohemian mirrors, marble sculptures and paintings by famous artists. At the western side of the hall stood the royal throne. Living rooms, decorated with gilded carvings, led directly to the front hall. Curly staircases approached the room from outside.
Toward the Moika, flower parterres flaunted. There were also three fountain pools with complex outlines.
Further transformations of the palace
During the year, a covered gallery was completed, through which it was possible to take a walk to the Summer Garden. Paintings by famous painters were hung on the walls of such a gallery. A terrace with a hanging garden was also designed here, which runs at the mezzanine level, where the Hermitage and the fountain were located. The contour of the terrace was fenced with a gilded lattice. Later, a palace church was added to this site.
After some time, a decorative park was planted near the palace. A huge labyrinth, bosquets and pavilions passed through it. Swings and carousels were placed in the center of the park.
A complex of water towers was built on the territory adjacent to the palace, since the previous water supply of the fountains did not have the necessary pressure. Similar water towers were ennobled with the help of palace painting.
Architect Rastrelli was not satisfied with his work. For this reason, a decade later, he brought the wooden Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna to a real masterpiece. Rastrelli regularly altered some parts of the building. So, later the walls were transformed with the help of figured platbands of windows and atlases. Lion masks and mascarons also served as their decoration.
Purpose
The summer residence is Elizabeth's first own home. Before the Empress, no one lived in this building. The Tsesarevna occupied the eastern wing of the residence. The west wing was reserved for courtiers.
Queen Elizabeth admired the luxury of the Summer Palace. Every year, in April, the Empress left the Winter Palace to temporarily settle in the summer one. The whole yard moved with her. This event turned into a real ceremony, which was accompanied by an orchestra and artillery fire. In September, Elizabeth moved back.
Further fate of the summer residence
In 1754, the Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna in St. Petersburg became the birthplace of Paul I, who soon came to power.
In 1762 feasts were held here on the occasion of the peace agreement with Prussia.
As soon as the new Emperor Paul I came to power, he immediately ordered the demolition of the building. In its place, a castle was erected, known today as Mikhailovsky. It was in this residence that the life of Paul I ended.
According to one of the legends, the Mikhailovsky Castle was not built by chance on the site of the Summer Palace. The emperor wished to spend the rest of his life in the place where he was born. Another legend says that the archangel Michael appeared to the guard and ordered the construction of a temple on the territory where the Summer Palace of Elizabeth Petrovna was located. After this incident, the emperor ordered the construction of a new palace and church in the name of Archangel Michael to begin. Thus, Mikhailovsky Castle got its name by analogy with the Church of Michael the Archangel.
