Winter Palace classicism. Winter Palace: wiki: Facts about Russia
Replete with world famous names. Here such pillars as Rossi, Quarenghi, Rastrelli, Montferrand, Felten, Trezzini and many others worked to please the emperors and nobility. Let's talk about the legacy of the great architect of St. Petersburg, the creator of the main facade of this wonderful city, the dominant feature of Palace Square and the entire creative era of the so-called mature. We are, of course, talking about the Winter Palace. Let's reveal the name of its creator. This is the architect Rastrelli. The Winter Palace is not only the crowning achievement of the famous architect’s career, but also an architectural monument of the eighteenth century.
Carier start
The architect of the Winter Palace was born in Paris in 1700, and his father, an Italian sculptor, put a lot of effort into developing the talent he immediately noticed in his son. Having been educated in Paris, Rastrelli moved to Russia with his father in 1716. At first, the future architect of the Winter Palace worked as an assistant to his father, but in 1722 he began his own career in a new and often unfriendly country. Until the year 1930, he traveled a lot to Europe, mainly to Italy, Germany, and France. The main purpose of these trips can be called training. During this time, he adopted a lot from European masters, forming his own vision of the Baroque style, which was immediately expressed in the first works that appeared in the 30s of the eighteenth century.
Early period
The future architect of the Winter Palace created several wooden buildings in Moscow in 1730 by order of Anna Ioannovna, who held the throne at that time. Soon after the empress moved from the mother throne to the Northern capital, in 1732, Rastrelli took on the project of the Winter Palace, already the third in a row, but not yet the last. In addition, during this period, two palaces were created for Biron. And his craving for the Baroque is increasingly evident in the intricate and at the same time large-scale projects of that time.
Palace in Peterhof
Rastrelli's talent flourished during the rise of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna's power. He receives official orders for large projects of national importance. The face of Russian and world architecture is formed in the master’s creations. Luxurious decoration symbolizes the power and wealth of the empire. On the site of the current Engineering Castle, a new one is rising for the first lady of the state. In the period from 1746 to 1755, thanks to the efforts of the architect, the now famous Tsarskoye Selo Palace rose from 1752 to 1756. World fame and the favor of the highest state elite come to him.
Tsarskoye Selo Palace
A large one, or located in Tsarskoye Selo, is a completely separate conversation. The building gained worldwide fame precisely thanks to the incredible talent of the architect who undertook its construction. This is one of his most famous creations, which led the master to the crown of his entire legacy, because it was after him that a masterpiece was created, which now houses one of the richest museums in the world - the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The architect put into it all his vast accumulated experience and maximum talent, resulting in a building that millions of tourists still come to see to this day.
Winter Palace
So, the architect of the Winter Palace began its construction in 1754. At this point, the master, already in his years and not only favored by the elite of world culture and politics, but also already fed up with it, is building one of the most famous architectural monuments of the so-called mature Baroque, which, by the way, is already outliving its age. The building was almost completely completed by 1762. This complex is truly majestic. In plan, it is a grandiose closed square with a courtyard. The façade facing Palace Square is at its highest manifestation.
The splendor and true, ceremonial purpose of the building are emphasized in the best possible way. Obviously, this is precisely what the architect of the Winter Palace emphasized. For example, no attention was paid to this pretentious decoration, but Elizabeth, his daughter, loved luxury and constantly surrounded herself with it, including in architecture.
And Winter is all about it. Both facades (the one facing the embankment and the one facing Palace Square) are magnificent in their harmony and richness of decoration, luxury, obsessively conveying that Russian emperors were accustomed to the best. That is why so many people still flock to St. Petersburg to see in person these magnificent exteriors and interiors created more than two centuries ago.
Last years
It should be mentioned that around the same time an equally important architectural monument of the era was created. The famous Smolny Cathedral was built in 1748-1764. As you know, Catherine, who ascended the throne in 1762, did not like the pretentiousness of mature Baroque architecture. This did not take long to affect the position of the maestro, favored by the authorities. At first he simply resigned, and then went to Switzerland altogether, without waiting for the completion of the construction of his last brainchild - the Smolny Cathedral. Rastrelli died in 1771, according to some evidence - in Switzerland, according to others - in Russia. This uncertainty only adds mystery to the already legendary career of the famous creator of the imperial facades and interiors of St. Petersburg.
Nevertheless, this is how the famous architect of the Winter Palace ended his days, rather ingloriously, who began his great creative career under Peter, and completed it under Catherine. But his creations still surprise. And, in spite of everything, the name of the architect of the Winter Palace remains one of the greatest throughout the centuries.
The history of the Winter Palace begins with the reign of Peter I.
The very first, then still Winter House, was built for Peter I in 1711 on the banks of the Neva. The first Winter Palace was two-story, with a tiled roof and a high porch. In 1719-1721, the architect Georg Mattornovi built a new palace for Peter I.
Empress Anna Ioannovna considered the Winter Palace too small and did not want to live in it. She entrusted the construction of the new Winter Palace to the architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. For new construction, the houses of Count Apraksin, Raguzinsky and Chernyshev, located on the embankment of the Neva River, as well as the building of the Maritime Academy were purchased. They were demolished, and in their place by 1735 a new Winter Palace was built. At the end of the 18th century, the Hermitage Theater was erected on the site of the old palace.
Empress Elizaveta Petrovna also wished to remodel the imperial residence to her taste. The construction of the new palace was entrusted to the architect Rastrelli. The design of the Winter Palace created by the architect was signed by Elizaveta Petrovna on June 16, 1754.
In the summer of 1754, Elizaveta Petrovna issued a personal decree to begin construction of the palace. The required amount - about 900 thousand rubles - was taken from the "tavern" money (collection from the drinking trade). The previous palace was dismantled. During construction, the courtyard moved to a temporary wooden palace built by Rastrelli on the corner of Nevsky and Moika.
The palace was distinguished by its incredible size for those times, lavish exterior decoration and luxurious interior decoration.
The Winter Palace is a three-story building, rectangular in plan, with a huge front courtyard inside. The main facades of the palace face the embankment and the square that was formed later.
When creating the Winter Palace, Rastrelli designed each facade differently, based on specific conditions. The northern facade, facing the Neva, stretches like a more or less even wall, without noticeable protrusions. From the river side, it is perceived as an endless two-tiered colonnade. The southern façade, facing Palace Square and having seven divisions, is the main one. Its center is highlighted by a wide, lavishly decorated risalit, cut through by three entrance arches. Behind them is the front courtyard, where in the middle of the northern building there was main entrance to the palace.
Along the perimeter of the palace roof there is a balustrade with vases and statues (the original stone ones were replaced by a brass knockout in 1892-1894).
The length of the palace (along the Neva) is 210 meters, width - 175 meters, height - 22 meters. The total area of the palace is 60 thousand square meters, it has more than 1000 halls, 117 different staircases.
The palace had two chains of state halls: along the Neva and in the center of the building. In addition to the state rooms, on the second floor there were living quarters for members of the imperial family. The first floor was occupied by utility and office premises. The upper floor mainly housed the apartments of the courtiers.
About four thousand employees lived here, they even had their own army - palace grenadiers and guards from the guards regiments. The palace had two churches, a theater, a museum, a library, a garden, an office, and a pharmacy. The halls of the palace were decorated with gilded carvings, luxurious mirrors, chandeliers, candelabra, and patterned parquet flooring.
Under Catherine II, a winter garden was organized in the Palace, where both northern and plants brought from the south grew, and the Romanov Gallery; At the same time, the formation of St. George's Hall was completed. Under Nicholas I, a gallery of 1812 was organized, where 332 portraits of participants in the Patriotic War were placed. The architect Auguste Montferrand added the Peter and Field Marshal halls to the palace.
In 1837, there was a fire in the Winter Palace. Many things were saved, but the building itself was badly damaged. But thanks to the architects Vasily Stasov and Alexander Bryullov, the building was restored within two years.
In 1869, gas lighting appeared in the palace instead of candlelight. Since 1882, the installation of telephones in premises began. In the 1880s, a water supply system was built in the Winter Palace. At Christmas 1884-1885, electric lighting was tested in the halls of the Winter Palace; from 1888, gas lighting was gradually replaced by electric lighting. For this purpose, a power plant was built in the second hall of the Hermitage, which for 15 years was the largest in Europe.
In 1904, Emperor Nicholas II moved from the Winter Palace to the Tsarskoye Selo Alexander Palace. The Winter Palace became the place for ceremonial receptions, state dinners, and the place where the Tsar stayed during short visits to the city.
Throughout the history of the Winter Palace as an imperial residence, its interiors were remodeled in accordance with fashion trends. The building itself changed the color of its walls several times. The Winter Palace was painted red, pink, and yellow. Before the First World War, the palace was painted red brick.
During the First World War, there was an infirmary in the building of the Winter Palace. After the February Revolution of 1917, the Provisional Government worked in the Winter Palace. In the post-revolutionary years, various departments and institutions were located in the Winter Palace building. In 1922, part of the building was transferred to the Hermitage Museum.
In 1925 - 1926, the building was rebuilt again, this time for the needs of the museum.
During the Great Patriotic War, the Winter Palace suffered from air raids and artillery shelling. In the basements of the palace there was a dispensary for scientists and cultural figures who suffered from dystrophy. In 1945-1946, restoration work was carried out, at which time the entire Winter Palace became part of the Hermitage.
Currently, the Winter Palace, together with the Hermitage Theater, the Small, New and Large Hermitages, forms a single museum complex"State Hermitage".
St. Petersburg - the northern capital vast Russia, accustomed to surprising us with her special individuality, originality of tastes and ambition. Hundreds of magnificent attractions attract the attention of many tourists and local residents every year. One of them - Winter Palace, which is an invaluable monument of history and architecture of past years.
Description
Like many buildings, the structure is distinguished by pomp, which is successfully combined with the special style and handwriting of the author, which we will talk about later. St. Petersburg Winter Palace is cultural heritage Russia, one of the main attractions of the country, which contains interesting historical events and facts. There are many legends and myths surrounding the Palace, some of which can be fully justified by historical facts.
Thanks to the splendor of the structure, being next to it or inside it, you can fully experience the imperial spirit and features of several centuries ago. You can also enjoy the magnificent architectural solutions, which to this day are considered the standard of beauty and sophistication. The design of the Winter Palace has changed more than once over these centuries, so we can observe the building not in its original form, which, however, does not make it less significant and worthy of attention, since all the main features conceived by the author of the project, Francesco Rastrelli, were carefully preserved and passed on by architects of different times. This majestic building is located on the Palace Square of the northern city and perfectly reunites with the surrounding landscape.
History of the creation and development of the palace
The building is made in a style called Since the times of the USSR, its territory is equipped with the main part. In earlier times, the Winter Palace has always been the main residence of the emperors of Russia. To fully appreciate the grandeur of this place, you need to look at the history of its creation.
Under the government of Peter I, in 1712, according to the law, it was impossible to give land to the disposal ordinary people. Such territories were reserved for sailors belonging to the upper class of society. The site where the Winter Palace is located today was taken under the control of Peter I himself.
From the very beginning, the emperor built a small and cozy home, near which, closer to winter, a small ditch was dug and which was given the name Winter. Actually, this is where the further name of the palace came from.
For many years, the Russian emperor convened various architects to reconstruct his house, and now, years later, from an ordinary wooden house the structure turned into Grand Palace made of stone.
Who built the Winter Palace? In 1735, Francesco Rastrelli was appointed chief architect working on the building, who came up with the idea of buying out neighboring plots of land and expanding the palace structure, which he told Anna Ioannovna, the ruler of Russia at that time.
The task assigned to the architect
It was this architect who became the creator of the image of the Winter Palace that we are all accustomed to seeing. However, it is worth remembering that some features of the building have changed over time, but still the main ideas and works of Francesco Rastrelli have remained unchanged to this day.
The Winter Palace acquired its modern appearance with the accession of Elizabeth Petrovna to the imperial throne. As the ruler considered, the building does not look like a Palace worthy of Russian emperors staying in it. Therefore, Rastrelli received a task - to modernize the structure and design of the structure, which is why it acquired a new look.
During the construction of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, the hands of 4 thousand workers were used, many of whom Rastrelli personally invited to collaborate. Every detail that differs from other elements of the structure was thought out by the great architect personally and successfully brought to life.
About the architecture of the building
The architectural component of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg is truly multifaceted. High altitude The structure is emphasized by weighty double columns. The chosen Baroque style itself brings notes of splendor and aristocracy. According to the plan, the Palace occupies a square-shaped area, which includes 4 wings. The building itself is three-story, the doors of which open onto the courtyard.
The main facade of the palace is cut through by an arch, the remaining sides of the building are made in an elegant style, which is expressed in Rastrelli’s unique sense of taste and his unusual solutions, which can be seen everywhere. These include the extraordinary layout of the facades, differences in the design of the facades, noticeable projections, uneven construction of columns, and the author’s special emphasis on the stepped corners of the building attracts attention.
The Winter Palace, photos of which are presented to your attention in the article, has 1084 rooms, with a total of 1945 window structures. According to the plan, there are 117 stairs. Also among the unusual and memorable facts is that at that time it was a building with a very large, by European standards, amount of metal in its structures.
The color of the building is heterogeneous and is made mainly in sandy shades, which are Rastrelli’s personal decision. After several reconstructions, the color scheme of the palace changed, but today the authorities of St. Petersburg have come to the conclusion that the best solution is to recreate appearance the palace in exactly the version that was originally conceived by the great architect.
A few words about the architect
Francesco Rastrelli was born in the capital of France in 1700. His father was a talented Italian sculptor, who had no difficulty recognizing the future skilled architect in his son. After finishing his studies in 1716, he and his father came to live in Russia.
Until 1722, Francesco worked only as an assistant to his father, but by 1722 he was ready to start an independent career, which at first did not work out very well in a country that was very inhospitable for him. Rastrelli Jr. spent 8 years traveling around Europe, where most During this time he did not work, but gained new knowledge in Germany, Italy, France and other countries. By 1730, he had formed his own vision of the Baroque style, which was reflected in his grandiose project- Winter Palace.
The architect worked more than once on the creation and reconstruction of buildings in Russia. His main work occurred in the period from 1732 to 1755.
Exclusive facts about the Winter Palace
The building is the richest structure in St. Petersburg, and the value of its exhibits still cannot be accurately calculated. The Winter Palace has many secrets and interesting stories, from which the following can be distinguished:
- During the war with the German invaders, the color of the palace was red. The building acquired its current white and green color only after the war in 1946.
- At the end of the construction work, so much construction waste had accumulated in the square in front of the Palace that it could take weeks to clean it up. However, it occurred to the king interesting idea: he allowed absolutely anyone to take any item from these building materials left over after work. The area in front of the building was cleared in no time.
Fire
In 1837, all the efforts of Francesco Rastrelli and other architects were practically reduced to nothing. A terrible event occurred: a large fire broke out in the palace due to a faulty chimney, and 2 companies of specialists were called in to extinguish it. For 30 hours, firefighters tried to reduce the flames by blocking windows and other openings with bricks, but this did not bring any results. The fire subsided only a day after the fire began, incinerating almost all the beauty of the structure. All that was left of the former palace were the walls and columns, which were scorched by the high temperature.
Restoration work
Restoration work began immediately and lasted 3 years. Unfortunately, from the first buildings, the craftsmen of that time did not have any drawings, so they had to include improvisation and come up with a new style literally on the fly. As a result, the “seventh version” of the palace appeared with a predominance of light green and white shades and gilding inside.
Along with the new look, electrification also came to the palace. The largest power plant in all of Europe (considered such for 15 years) was installed on the 2nd floor and provided electricity to the entire building.
Not only the fire was knocking on the doors of the Winter Palace with bad news. Thus, this building at one time survived both the assault and the assassination attempt of Alexander II, and numerous bombings during the Great Patriotic War.
For modern tourists
Today you can walk through the halls of the Winter Palace by booking one of the many excursions, individual or in a group. The museum doors are open to visitors from 10:00 to 18:00 and close only on Monday - a legal holiday.
You can purchase tickets for a tour of the Winter Palace directly at the museum box office, or by ordering them from a tour operator. They are not always available due to the high popularity of the building, especially during tourist season. Therefore, it is better to buy tickets in advance.
The Hermitage is not only the greatest art museum, but also the main imperial residence for many years. Today I propose to examine the interiors of the palace, including those that served the royal family.
// Part 38
1. The palace, first of all, is a Baroque masterpiece by the famous Rastrelli. 
2. In front of him is main square city - Palace. 
3. The other side of the square is formed by the General Staff with the famous sixtyge on the arch. Now the left wing of the building belongs to the Hermitage, paintings from the collections of Shchukin and Morozov, as well as contemporary art will be exhibited there, the Museum of Awards, the Museum of the Guard, and Faberge Rooms will appear. 
4. For a long time this was the main flagpole of the country. 
5. The roof of the palace is filled with numerous sculptures and vases. 
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8. In addition to the Winter Palace, the museum includes several buildings. There is even a covered passage over the canal - to the Hermitage Theater. 
9. The arch is thrown across the Winter Canal. 
10. Courtyard facades are not inferior to the front ones. 
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12. First of all, from the entrance we find ourselves on the main staircase, called the Jordan. 
13. It got its name from the feast of Epiphany, when a religious procession descended along it to the Neva to plunge into the wormwood - the Jordan. 
14. Originally built by Rastrelli, the staircase burned down in 1837 and was restored by the architect Stasov. 
15. The staircase ceiling looks great as a backdrop for fresh flowers. 
16. In general, when walking around the Hermitage, you need to constantly look up. 
17. Absolutely everywhere the vaults are covered with different, but always magnificent ornaments. 
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22. Throwing back our heads, we quietly reached the White Hall. 
23. It was created by A.P. Bryullov for the wedding of the future Emperor Alexander II in 1841 on the site of three living rooms. 
24. Raphael’s loggias were created in the 1780s by the architect G. Quarenghi, commissioned by Empress Catherine II. They imitate the gallery of the Vatican Palace, painted according to sketches by Raphael. 
25. The loggias are located in the New Hermitage building, not far from the main staircase. 
26. The new Hermitage was built in 1842-1852 according to the design of the German architect Leon Klenze. 
27. Next we will examine a number of rooms in the Old Hermitage, decorated with 19th-century interiors. 
28. The unfinished rooms display furniture, carpets, paintings, etc. 
29. But the window frames and many of the glasses in them are original, dating back to Tsarist times. 
30. The interiors are decorated in different styles. 
31. Strict classics. 
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34. Lush baroque. 
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37. Imperial style of Alexander I. 
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39. Gothic. 
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41. A wonderful library in the Gothic style that belonged to Nicholas II. 
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44. Here is a living room in the style of the “second” Rococo. 
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47. Mother of pearl inlaid table top. 
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49. In addition to a general overview of the interiors, it is also interesting to look into the details. 
50. Sometimes you notice funny things. 
51. But here is a distinctly Russian interior. 
52. And even a boudoir with an oriental flavor. 
53. The Armorial Hall, preparing for the next exhibition. 
54. The main throne of the Russian Empire was located in the Great Throne, or St. George's Hall. 
55. Crimson boudoir of Empress Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Alexander II. It was created in 1853 according to the design of the architect G.A. Bosse in the style of the “second” Baroque. The hall is divided into two zones, separated by a decorative arched alcove. 
56. Directly above the boudoir there was a room for maids of honor, and the empress could hear the patter of feet of the children of Catherine Dolgoruky, the long-term mistress of Alexander II. 
57. The hall amazes with the richness of its decoration, but the knowledge of the family drama that took place here evokes a gloomy mood. 
58. Last frame - Hanging Garden Small Hermitage. During the siege, museum employees built a vegetable garden here, which allowed many not to die of hunger. 
The “brilliant age” of Catherine II began, who became the first real mistress of the Winter Palace, and the south-eastern risalit, overlooking Millionnaya Street and Palace Square, became the first of the “residence zones” of the owners of the palace. After the coup, Catherine II basically continued to live in the wooden Elizabethan palace, and in August she left for Moscow for her coronation. Construction work in Zimny did not stop, but it was already carried out by other architects: Jean Baptiste Vallin-Delamot, Antonio Rinaldi, Yuri Felten. Rastrelli was first sent on leave and then resigned. Catherine returned from Moscow at the beginning of 1863 and moved her chambers to the southwestern risalit, showing continuity from Elizabeth Petrovna to Peter III and to her - the new empress. All work on the west wing was stopped. On the site of Peter III’s chambers, with the personal participation of the Empress, a complex of Catherine’s personal chambers was built. It included: the Audience Chamber, which replaced the Throne Room; Dining room with two windows; Restroom; two casual bedrooms; Boudoir; Office and Library. All rooms were designed in the style of early classicism. Later, Catherine ordered one of the everyday bedrooms to be converted into the Diamond Room or Diamond Chamber, where precious property and imperial regalia were kept: crown, scepter, orb. The regalia was in the center of the room on a table under a crystal cap. As new jewelry was acquired, glass boxes mounted to the walls appeared. 
After the death of Paul in March 1801, Emperor Alexander I immediately returned to the Winter Palace. The palace returned to its status as the main imperial residence. But he did not occupy the chambers of the southeastern risalit; he returned to his rooms, located along the western facade of the Winter Palace, with windows overlooking the Admiralty. The premises on the second floor of the southwestern risalit have forever lost their significance as the inner chambers of the head of state. Renovation of the chambers of Paul I began in 1818, on the eve of the arrival of the King of Prussia, Frederick William III, in Russia, appointing “collegiate adviser Karl Rossi” responsible for the work. All design work was carried out according to his drawings. From that time on, the rooms in this part of the Winter Palace began to be officially called the “Prussian-royal rooms”, and later - the Second Reserve Half of the Winter Palace. It is separated from the First Half by the Alexander Hall; in plan, this half consisted of two perpendicular enfilades overlooking Palace Square and Millionnaya Street, which were connected in different ways to the rooms facing the courtyard. There was a time when the sons of Alexander II lived in these rooms. First, Nikolai Alexandrovich (who was never destined to become Russian Emperor), and from 1863, his younger brothers Alexander (future Emperor Alexander III) and Vladimir. They moved out of the premises of the Winter Palace in the late 1860s, beginning their independent lives. At the beginning of the twentieth century, dignitaries of the “first level” were accommodated in the rooms of the Second Reserve Half, saving them from terrorist bombs. From the beginning of spring 1905, the Governor-General of St. Petersburg Trepov lived there. Then, in the fall of 1905, Prime Minister Stolypin and his family were accommodated in these premises.
