Address: Peterhof
Start of construction: 1714 year
Completion of construction: 1723 year
Architect: Andreas Schlüter, Johann Friedrich Braunstein, Jean-Baptiste Leblond and Nicolo Michetti
Cultural heritage site of the Russian Federation
Coordinates: 59 ° 53'13.4 "N 29 ° 55'09.1" E
Content:
After living abroad and looking at the palaces of the European nobility, Peter I wanted to build a personal apartment in Peterhof. When building his own palace, he did not pursue gigantic dimensions and luxurious decoration. The Russian emperor was an enlightened person and was primarily interested in comfortable and practical housing.
Monplaisir Palace from a bird's eye view
The history of the construction of the palace
In 1714, the emperor chose the site for the palace buildings, approved the planning projects and gave personal instructions on the design. In order for the architects to better understand what he wants to see, Peter I made several drawings and schematic sketches of the future palace.
At this time, Russia took part in the protracted Northern War, which spent a significant part of the funds from the state treasury. In order to quickly complete construction in St. Petersburg, as well as build a country residence in Peterhof, Peter I was forced to issue a decree, according to which it was forbidden to build stone houses throughout the country for several years. However, despite the strict economy, the palace for the emperor appeared only in 1723, when the war for access to the Baltic Sea was over.
Until now, the picturesque ensemble of Monplaisir is considered an example of architecture of the early 18th century. Such success became possible thanks to the talent of architects, builders, painters, sculptors, molders and carvers who built the palace. The Peter's residence was designed by the German architect and early Baroque master Andreas Schlüter. Another German architect, Johann Friedrich Braunstein, took part in the construction of the palace, who in 1714-1716 was entrusted with the management of all construction in Peterhof.
View of the palace from the Monplaisir Garden
After Braunstein, the French architect Jean-Baptiste Leblond, invited by Peter I, began to build Monplaisir, who, in addition to the palace, was engaged in the arrangement of a large Peterhof park. In addition, one cannot fail to note the contribution of the famous Italian architect Nicola Michetti. In 1719-1723, he served as an architect at the Russian court and monitored the quality of construction work in Peterhof.
Palace in the history of the country
Translated from French, the name of the beloved palace of Peter I means "my pleasure." Monplaisir fully met the expectations of the sovereign and liked him more than other palaces, so he stayed here for a long time. The one-storey building was built under the strong influence of Dutch traditions and under Peter I it was often called the "Dutch house". The palace was equipped with a water supply system and a flushing sewerage system, which were new for Russia in the 18th century.
In Monplaisir, the emperor preferred to meet with the ambassadors of foreign states and hold lavish receptions for guests. The envoy of the French court, Campredon, who visited Peter I, was fascinated by the new building. He noted that the small rooms are extremely comfortable to live in, and the palace kitchen is very neat and testifies to the influence of Dutch economy. The ambassador especially liked the paved terrace on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. Linden trees grew around it, and to the guest of the sovereign, this place reminded the picturesque canals of The Hague.
View of the palace and the terrace on the shore of the Gulf of Finland (right)
In addition to negotiations with foreign embassies, meetings of the court or, as they said at the time, assemblies were held in Monplaisir. The last time the sovereign visited his beloved palace was shortly before his death, in the middle of autumn 1724.
In 1725, after the death of Peter I, Empress Catherine I held a reception in the palace, which was attended by leading members of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Other emperors also used Monplaisir for receptions, and Catherine II liked to arrange exquisite dinners for confidants in the palace.
Under the influence of the highest officials of the Russian state, Monplaisir began to be perceived as a memorable place associated with Peter I. The palace was always maintained in proper condition and everything that touched the memory of the Tsar-reformer was collected in it. Thanks to this approach, the interior of the palace has been preserved in its original form.
In 1941, before the start of the Nazi occupation, all the valuables from the palace were removed deep into the country. The Nazis mutilated the old building, completely destroying the decoration of the palace, and they used the terrace on the shore of the bay as a convenient firing point. The palace was mined, but, fortunately, all the mines were found by sappers, and the explosion of a unique architectural monument was prevented. The restoration of the palace was carried out for several years and was completed by 1960.
View of the gallery from the Monplaisir Garden
Palace today
As Peter I wanted, the palace has a rational interior layout. There is nothing superfluous and artificial in it. Large halls are surrounded by living rooms and utility rooms. Despite the fact that Monplaisir is small in size, its luxurious decoration is amazing. It is no coincidence that art critics call this palace a monument of arts and crafts and a masterpiece of decorative molding of the early 18th century.
Skillfully made Dutch tiles, expensive fabrics, marble panels, inlaid parquet and wood carvings are used in the decoration of the premises. Here you can see exquisite lacquer panels with miniature painting, made according to original Chinese technologies. Today they adorn the walls of the Lacquer Office. The paintings for Monplaisir were done by the French master Philippe Pilman.
Among the other premises of the palace, the rich Parade Hall, decorated in the best traditions of the Peter the Great Baroque, stands out. It occupies the entire width of the main palace building and has two exits. One of them leads out to the garden, and the other to the coastal terrace.
Fountain Sheaf on the background of the palace
The walls of the hall are in the English style, decorated with waxed oak, and the floor, like a checkerboard, is lined with black and white tiles. Above the oak paneling is a narrow ceiling edge that separates the walls and a large dome. It rises above the central part of the hall and makes the room spacious and solemn.
The murals on the dome are based on the favorite theme of the changing of the seasons in the 17th-18th centuries. In the center of the plafond you can see the image of the patron saint of arts - the god Apollo, surrounded by the gods of the four winds. The dome also depicts bouquets of flowers and complex floral ornaments, and the framing of this splendor is intricate stucco decoration.
In 1871, the talented painter and draftsman Nikolai Gena painted a picture in which Peter I was interrogating his son, Tsarevich Alexei. The artist chose the State Hall of the palace as the background for the main plot. Looking at the canvas, you can see the smallest details of the familiar setting. However, this picture is an artistic fiction, since in 1718, when real historical events took place, Monplaisir had not yet been completed.
Ceremonial hall
Museum collections
The best collections of arts and crafts are presented to the attention of tourists in the palace. The halls and rooms display collections of porcelain from China and faience from Holland. It should be noted that in the times of Peter the Great, fine oriental porcelain was considered an item of special value, and those who could afford to buy expensive porcelain were honored at the Russian court. Today, porcelain items are displayed on console shelves between painted lacquer panels.
The palace displays rich collections of Russian glass and household items that were used in kitchens at the beginning of the 18th century. Painting lovers can enjoy the collection of paintings by Western European masters of the 17th-18th centuries. It is noteworthy that most of the old paintings were chosen and bought by Peter I.
The sections of the exposition related to the founder of the palace are of particular interest to visitors. These are personal belongings of the Russian emperor and gifts that he received from diplomats of foreign states.
Information for tourists
The palace is located on the territory of the Lower Park of Peterhof, the territory of which is open daily from 9.00 to 20.00. Ticket offices are open from 8.45 to 19.00. Monplaisir accepts guests any day from 10.30 to 18.00. It should be borne in mind that cash desks stop working an hour earlier. If a group of tourists from 15 people comes to the palace, a guided tour of Monplaisir is free of charge. If the group size is less than 15 people, the cost of the excursion is 800 rubles per group.
Gallery
How to get there
The palace buildings are located near the coast of the Gulf of Finland. They are located to the east of the main entrance to the imperial residence, 600 meters from the Peterhof pier. From the berths near the Palace Bridge one gets here by "Meteora".
Minibuses to Peterhof run from the Baltic railway station and the metro stations Prospekt Veterans, Avtovo and Leninsky Prospekt. In addition, you can get here by electric train. From the Baltiysky railway station they go to "New Peterhof", and from there they drive up to the territory of the museum-reserve by buses No. 349,350, 351, 352, 355 or 356.
