This palace on Blagoveshchensk Square (today it is Labor Square) was built specifically for Prince Nikolai, the son of Emperor Nikolai I. The foundation of the building was laid in 1853, and construction continued for eight years.
History
For his third son, Emperor Nicholas I personally chose a place for the palace. The project was entrusted to A. I. Shtakenschneider. Famous Russian architects A. Lange and K. Ziegler became his assistants. Lead the construction of steel K.A. Ton, R. A. Zhelyazevich A.P. Bryullov.
The place on Blagoveshchensk Square was not accidentally chosen for the palace. At this time, it began to develop very dynamically and soon turned into a beautiful and vibrant area of the city. The main decoration of the square was the Annunciation Church by architect Ton.
Start of construction
At the end of 1851, an all-Russian contest was announced for the best palace design for twenty-year-old Nikolai Nikolaevich. The most successful option was recognized by the architect Andrém Ivanovich Stackenschneider.
The Nicholas Palace in St. Petersburg was not only the dwelling for the prince, there were provided an arena, stables, living quarters for servants. The construction occupied an area of two hectares. During the Crimean War, construction work was suspended. They continued in 1856. The Nikolaev Palace in St. Petersburg was consecrated in December 1861.
The Grand Duke passed away in 1890. For debts, the Nikolaev Palace in St. Petersburg was placed at the disposal of the department of inheritances. In other words, the structure became the property of the state.
Nicholas Palace - description
In those days, it was the most technically equipped palace. It already had sewage, water supply, telegraph communication. Particularly noteworthy is a carefully thought-out heating system. It consisted of 70 fireplaces, as well as a large number of Dutch (tiled) and Russian stoves. Over all (92) pipes there were lightning rods that were grounded in the garden. In the center of the garden was a round glacier. It was made in the form of a grotto. The material for its manufacture was red Finnish granite.
The arena, executed in the Arabic style, adjoined the palace. Two rooms for service personnel were built in it, as well as a room where exhibitions of thoroughbred dogs, pedigree cattle, and horses were held. It must be said that the Grand Duke was a member of many sports and agricultural societies.
Nicholas Palace in St. Petersburg has a rectangular shape. For the facade, the Stackenschneider used architectural techniques in the style of the Italian Renaissance. In this period of time eclecticism became fashionable. A.I. Shtakenschneider became one of the pioneers who applied it in St. Petersburg.
The architect allocated each floor of the residence with an original cornice. The basement is low, decorated with pilasters and rusted. There are bas-reliefs above the windows, and heavy consoles under the windows. The mezzanine is decorated as a front door - high windows in the Renaissance style and a large number of small wrought-iron balconies.
In front of the main entrance behind the openwork fence was an open area. At the beginning, there was no garden with flower beds and trees, so a fountain was clearly visible - a portico with columns made of granite. In the eastern part of the palace is a house church.
Interior decoration
Decorating the lobby, the Stackenschneider used marble, which remained after the construction of St. Isaac's Cathedral. The mezzanine began with a white living room.
Dance and banquet halls were located in the northern part of the building. These are very spacious rooms with a height of more than 17 meters. They are decorated with sculptural works.
The personal apartments of the Grand Duke and his wife, according to the architect, were located on the second floor in the eastern side of the palace. The windows of the rooms overlook Konnogvardeisky Boulevard and the garden. They could be accessed through a separate entrance located on the garden side. Directly from the apartment you could go to the adjutant’s duty room, billiard room, office, standard room.
The walls of almost all rooms were decorated with a variety of images of the prince's favorite horses. These animals were the true passion of Nikolai Nikolaevich. He commanded the cavalry forces throughout Russia.
Three doors led from the study to the balcony.
The chambers of the spouse of the prince - Alexandra Petrovna - were adjacent to the rooms of Nikolai Nikolaevich. The princess’s office overlooked the garden with two windows and a balcony onto the boulevard. From here, Alexandra Petrovna could go out to the winter garden, the bedchamber, the boudoir.
Children's rooms were located on the first floor of the palace. In the northwestern wing of the building were rooms for educators. Here were equipped guest rooms.
As contemporaries note, Blagoveshchensk Square has become much more beautiful since the moment when the Nikolaev Palace appeared on it. Walking around St. Petersburg many citizens moved to this developing area.
House church
The history of this building is interesting. Once, Prince Nikolai was in Rostov and saw an unusually beautiful temple. The decision was made instantly - the same church must have been in his house. In 1863, a house church was erected in the Nikolaev Palace. It was open to all comers. The temple was consecrated in late October 1863.
Women's Institute
According to sources, for some time in the city council argued about how to use the palace. As a result, it was decided to open a female institute within its walls and name it in honor of the daughter of the emperor Kseninsky.
The office was organized on the ground floor, the director of the institute and the living quarters of the teaching staff were equipped with an apartment.
Training classes, it was decided to place on the second floor. In the former stable they made a dining room, turned the playpen into bedrooms. The institute worked quite successfully until 1917.
Palace after the revolution
In the history of this building (as, indeed, in many others), the revolution made significant adjustments. In 1917, a decision was made, and the Nikolaev Palace was transferred to the Petrograd Soviet of Trade Unions. The Palace of Labor - this is how they began to call this building.
The house church in 1999 was transferred to the Orthodox Church, and services resumed in it.
During the Second World War, the Nikolaev Palace in St. Petersburg was severely destroyed. A few years after the Great Victory, he was completely restored.
Palace today
The Nikolaev Palace on Labor Square in St. Petersburg is administered by the Council of Trade Unions of the Northern Capital.
A magnificent monument of history and culture attracts many tourists. True, many premises of the palace are leased for offices, banquets, folklore shows, etc. Despite this, you still have the opportunity to get to the Nikolaev Palace in St. Petersburg. Excursions, expositions of various exhibitions are held here regularly. Experienced guides will tell you about the history of the palace and its owners.
In addition, in the luxurious living rooms and halls, you can celebrate a wedding, celebrate a birthday, spend a prom. In the concert hall, business meetings and presentations are often held.
