Oranienbaum: revived pictures of the past
Evening. On the alleys of Oranienbaum, bright spots of lighted lanterns were already shining. The ball was supposed to start soon. The estate gathered almost all the knowledge of St. Petersburg, at least some close to Alexander Danilovich Menshikov. This ball was waiting for a long time: the first evening in the new estate of the favorite Peter I.
The hill, where this amazing sea-facing and arced palace is located, has two tiers of terraces with steep walls, ramps and stairs. The terraces form the foot of the palace and give its appearance monumentality, solemnity and unexpected lightness. The building sort of hovers over the shore.
The land surrounding the estate is striking in its splendor. A huge garden, broken right under its windows, is simply created for a variety of walks - in cheerful company or alone, with heavy thoughts or in search of a muse for creativity. Until 1917, Oranienbaum was the country residence of the royal family and nobility. Then it turned into a museum, which is not surprising, since this place is literally saturated with history.
The evening was in full swing. Just finished one of the minuets. A few.
People went outside to get some fresh air. There were two by the stairs.
What a wonderful palace! one of them said admiringly. I have lived for a long time and have seen a lot, but this building is beyond praise.
“You’re right,” he said with his hands on his chest. I know Shedel personally, he is one of the architects of this place. Truly a genius man.
The music sounded again. People are back in the halls...
There really is something to see in the halls. Luxury decoration in the then popular Baroque style, magnificent parquets on the floor, which, despite more than three hundred years of history, have survived almost in its original form. In some rooms, the original fabric wallpaper on the walls, ancient upholstery of furniture items, stucco ceilings have survived. One of the main prides of the Grand Menshchikov Palace is a wooden staircase leading to the second floor, completely preserved to this day.
Oranienbaum includes not only the Great Menshikov Palace, but also many other buildings, such as the Own Dacha, built by order of Catherine II, which includes the famous Chinese Palace, and the Peterstadt Ensemble, created for Peter III.
Like all royal residences, Oranienbaum has a rich history and many owners. The first of them was A. D. Menshikov. Then Oranienbaum becomes the residence of Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich, the future Emperor Peter III. After the palace coup on June 28, 1762, Empress Catherine II became the owner of the estate. After her Oranienbaum belonged first to the future Emperor Alexander I, later to his brother, Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich and his wife Elena Pavlovna, and after her death to their heirs. The last owners of Oranienbaum before the Revolution were the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Strelitzki.
During the Great Patriotic War, Oranienbaum suffered to a much lesser extent than other suburbs of St. Petersburg, since the so-called Oranienbaum bridgehead was deployed here. However, the ensemble fell into disrepair in the postwar period, and its serious restoration began only in the late 1990s.
... Light. The servants put out the candles. Most of the guests have already left. Only a few remained in Oranienbaum, and standing on the stairs, met the dawn. The morning sky was magnificent. It was all covered with huge, frightening clouds, and only one corner of it was open. This corner is like the future of Oranienbaum. It should be light...
Jan Bryzgalova