St. Petersburg is known throughout the world for its magnificent numerous architectural buildings. Tourists from all over the world come to admire the interesting places of the city and its attractions. One of the masterpieces of construction in the city is the Mikhailovsky Palace, which has an interesting past and is inextricably linked with the name of its architect Rossi.
Start of construction
The history of the creation of the Mikhailovsky Palace is interesting and covers more than one decade.
Paul I issued a decree on the imminent construction of a residence for the recently born son of Michael and the accumulation of money for this. The ruler even sketched a number of drawings of the future palace. However, the idea was not realized during the life of the ruler, since he was killed by the conspirators.
The decree of the emperor was nevertheless carried out later by his eldest heir, Alexander I. The then chief architect of the palace was the then-famous Karl Rossi, who began two-year design in 1817.
Initially, the building was planned to be built on the site of the Vorontsov Palace, then on the site of Count Chernyshev. Alexander I did not approve the plan for the reconstruction of buildings, as it entailed too much expense and did not have a royal scope. The monarch proposed another extensive site for construction, where the architect Rossi erected an architectural ensemble of excellent beauty and scope. This included a magnificent palace with an area, a couple of buildings on the sides, a couple of streets. In addition, a garden was set up nearby. The foundation of the palace was laid in the summer of 1819. Construction was carried out in the warm period to ensure the stability of buildings.
Completion of work
The architect of the Mikhailovsky Palace was engaged in its planning and construction. Radical ideas and redevelopment made it possible to connect the complex with the most important highway of St. Petersburg - Nevsky Prospect. Thus, the front part of the building was an impressive view from the central road of the city.
In his drawings, the creator of the Mikhailovsky Palace carefully thought out everything to the smallest detail: from the pattern on the floor to the layout of the garden. The most famous talented artists and sculptors participated in the creation of various decorative elements: S. Pimenov, F. Bryullov, B. Medici, V. Zakharov and others.
Large-scale work ended in 1825. Cash costs totaled more than seven million. Michael I and his wife soon settled in the newly erected palace.
Mysterious Rossi
The life of the chief architect of the Mikhailovsky Palace, gifted by Russia, is full of mysteries and contradictions. There are several versions about the place of birth and the origin of the genius master. The most recognized is the assumption that Carlo di Giovanni Rossi was born in Naples in 1775. His father was of noble origin, and his mother was a famous ballerina, who, along with the boy's stepfather, Charles de Pic, was offered a job in the capital of the Russian Empire.
According to another version, the birthplace of the future talented architect was Petersburg. However, everyone is unanimous in the opinion that Karl Rossi was in a cultural environment since childhood and was imbued with a sense of beauty. In Russia, the Italian name of the boy was redone into the Russian version - Karl Ivanovich. Then he did not know the Russian language, but soon succeeded in learning it.
The Rossi family was very respected, as it made a great contribution to the cultural life of the capital. Charles de Pic was honored to give dancing lessons to the children of the emperor himself.
Career and creations of the great architect
The beginning of Karl’s career was helped by the fact that the famous architect Vincenzo Brenna became a friend of the family, who later became the boy’s teacher. Karl's talent manifested itself even then. The fateful case also played a role. Once Brenn injured his hand and was unable to sketch the Engineering Castle, so he invited his student to be his assistant.
However, even having brilliant abilities and a brilliant career, Karl Ivanovich Rossi rested in need in old age. From two wives he had ten children, all responsibility for which, including material, was assigned to the elderly Rossi until the end of his days. He died of cholera in 1849, having been infected by workers.
Carla Rossi is revered as one of the most talented architects from Italy, who brought luxurious masterpieces of construction to the world. The results of the master’s talents are represented by numerous buildings and architectural complexes in and around St. Petersburg. Among the outstanding works can be mentioned Mikhailovsky Castle, Elagin Palace, Alexandrinsky Theater, the General Staff Building and the Arc de Triomphe on Palace Square. For the construction of the Mikhailovsky Palace complex with all its infrastructure, Russia was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir of the 3rd degree and a land plot at the expense of the state.
Appearance
An excellent example of architecture is the Mikhailovsky Palace, the architectural style of which is Empire style, or high classicism. To the British scientist Grenville, the building seemed the most magnificent architectural creation.
In the 21st century, only the facade and the western outbuilding remained unchanged. It is now possible to see the results of the work of the architect of the Mikhailovsky Palace only in two originals of classical art - the decoration of the White Hall and the main lobby.
The frieze of the palace is decorated with 44 sculptural three-dimensional images executed by the famous sculptor Demut-Malinovsky. Inside the palace, they get up along a chic, spacious staircase, which is ennobled by stone sculptures of lions. Lateral risalits are decorated with high Venetian windows.
In front of the front of the building was a cozy front garden. The other side of the palace, overlooking the Mikhailovsky Garden, was also lavishly decorated. The majestic loggia-colonnade gives its beauty the middle part. The building was separated from the square by a massive metal fence in the form of copies with gilded tips.
Mikhailovsky Palace soon after construction became famous in various countries of Europe. For example, at the request of the English monarch, a mock palace was presented.
Interior decoration
The interior decoration of the palace, as well as the exterior, surprises with its grandeur. Brilliant Rossi was thought out to the smallest detail and executed in conjunction with talented specialists. All the decor elements of the building, invented by the architect of the Mikhailovsky Palace, were in harmony. This is the decoration of walls and ceilings, wallpaper, carved furniture, satin pillows, elegant chandeliers.
Ornamental flooring was made from a variety of valuable species of wood. Elements of painting, individual parts of the main staircase and furniture made according to the drawings of Russia, have survived to our time. You can read many admiring descriptions of the Mikhailovsky Palace in the surviving written evidence of the century before last.
Interiors
In the 21st century, the decoration of the lobby, the main staircase and the White Hall remained unchanged. The stunning lobby that has come down to us through the centuries with its vast arch at the entrance, the ceremonial front staircase, the richly decorated mural ceiling and the beautifully executed bas-reliefs on the walls is very impressive. It is noteworthy that Rossi clearly planned all the rooms, concentrating them near the main internal staircase.
The lower floor of the palace accommodated the personal chambers of the ruler, which included 6 rooms. Among them was an Arsenal with weapons, including battle guns, which played an important role in suppressing the Decembrist uprising. There were also rooms for officials, guests, servants and the kitchen.
The second floor contained various ceremonial rooms for receptions and balls and a library. The White Hall stood out especially here for its splendor. The interior cost more than the construction of the palace itself.
White Hall
The pearl of the Mikhailovsky Palace in St. Petersburg can be called the chic White Hall. For centuries, it has been amazing and delighting visitors. This room was considered perfect, and a many times smaller copy of this room was presented to the English monarch at his request.
The magnificent hall was famous as the music salon of St. Petersburg under Princess Elena Pavlovna. The White Hall is an interior that is phenomenal in its craftsmanship and magnificence, where the author’s decor and furniture, made according to the drawings of Rossi himself, remain unchanged.
Heyday
In the summer of 1825, the Mikhailovsky Palace was solemnly consecrated, and the monarchs settled there. Under Mikhail Pavlovich, the palace became the core of the social life of the Russian nobility. The owner of the palace received civilians and military men here every day. Foreign citizens who were fortunate enough to be there were delighted with the splendor of dancing and musical accompaniment, decor, refreshments and the number of guests.
In the mid-19th century, the life of the monarch ended, and the residence was inherited by his wife Elena Pavlovna, who continued to conduct secular receptions. Mikhailovsky Palace turned into a cultural center, where prominent cultural activists came. Among the visitors were Pushkin, Aivazovsky, Bryullov and many other famous people. It was then that A. Rubinstein created the Russian Musical Society, and then the first Russian Conservatory.
Period of decline
Later, in order to cover costs, the main rooms were rented for various events. Princess Elena left the residence of her daughter Ekaterina Mikhailovna. She, in turn, made a will of his passage of the palace to her descendants, who, however, became German subjects. Alexander III considered this situation absurd and decided to redeem the palace at the expense of the state. However, he failed to implement this. This event was carried out by his son Nicholas II five years before the end of the century. The previous owners were allowed to keep some things for themselves. After that, the palace was on the verge of ruin.
Russian Museum
Having ransomed the palace at the behest of the emperor, Minister of Finance S. Witte presented the idea of arranging the Imperial Museum of Russian Art here. Nikolay Alexandrovich liked this idea, and in 1895 he issued a decree on the transformation of the entire infrastructure of the former imperial residence into the Russian Museum.
Everything except the main staircase and the White Hall was redone by the architect V. Svinyin. Fortunately, the appearance has remained unchanged since the creator of this miracle.
The Russian Museum opened to visitors in 1898. Since the collection of paintings has grown rapidly, more space was required to accommodate them. Therefore, in the 10s of the twentieth century, the architect Benoit designed a new building, facing one of the sides on the Griboedov Canal. The construction had to be completed after the First World War. The building was completed and named in honor of its architect - Benoit building.
During the Great Patriotic War, the Mikhailovsky Palace was damaged during shelling. During the blockade, the besieged residents tried their best to preserve museum treasures.
Now the magnificent Mikhailovsky Palace is the main building of the complex of the Russian State Museum, famous for its luxury and harmony. The museum has collected many outstanding creations of eminent artists and sculptors. Among the works there are works by great Russian painters: Andrei Rublev, Karl Bryullov, Ilya Repin, Ivan Shishkin, Mikhail Vrubel, Marc Chagall and many others.
The museum hosts various interesting exhibitions, lectures and other events that bring together a lot of people.
