Oranienbaum - sights. How to get to Oranienbaum

Among the country residences located insuburbs of Northern Palmyra, Oranienbaum stands out. Its sights entered the art complex created by the inspired work of famous architects, talented craftsmen, painters and masters of decorative and applied art of the XVIII century and occupying a special place in the history of Russian and world culture.

Oranienbaum

In 1707, land near the confluence of the Gulf of Finlandthe Karasta River was granted to Peter the Great (his emperor) by his companion Alexander Menshikov, who was then governor of Ingermanlandia, who had retired to the Russian Empire after the end of the Northern War. By order of the Emperor's favorite on the coastal area opposite the island of Kotlin, the architects G. Schödel and D. Fontan erected the Grand Palace, almost inferior to its splendor the palace of the emperor in Peterhof. Here, the Lower Garden was designed, one of the first in Russia. Around the suburban residence of Alexander Menshikov, named Oranienbaum, there was a homonymous palace suburb.

The origin of the unusual name is tryingexplain different versions. One of the legends says that here during the favorite of Peter I there was an orange garden (Oranienbaum in translation from German - an orange tree). On the terraces and open staircases of the Great Palace, in the summer, a curiosity for the North was exhibited in the tubs - evergreen citrus plants.

History of the residence

In its history, which numbered more than 300 years, the residence changed many owners, and the settlement received the status of the city.

In 1743, the residence was donated to Peter III, who ascended the throne in 1761. After the palace coup in 1762, Catherine II built a palace in Oranienbaum, which entered in the complex "Own Dacha". The buildings of its buildings have become the only examples of the Rococo architectural style, represented in Russia.

Since 1796 the country residence was the property of the imperial family and was passed on to the next generations. Before the revolution, its last owners were the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Strelitzky.

After the events of 1917, part of the buildingshistorical and architectural monument were transferred to the Forest Technical School based on the territory of Oranienbaum. In some palaces, particularly in Chinese, museums were opened. In 1948 the city was renamed Lomonosov. "Oranienbaum" (as the name) was preserved only for the historical complex. Assignment of the city to the name of the great Russian scientist was not accidental. Here, nearby, in the village of Ust-Ruditsa, was his manor, and a laboratory for the preparation of colored glass.

In the postwar period Oranienbaum came to desolation, its serious restoration began only in the late 90's.

In 2007, a unique complex was introduced in thecomposition of the State Museum-Reserve "Peterhof". It should be noted that in the suburbs of St. Petersburg the historical-architectural ensemble "Oranienbaum", the sights, which were not destroyed during the Second World War and preserved its historical authenticity, whom complete the sequence representative residences of the Peterhof road.

Architectural and landscape complex

The palaces and parks of Oranienbaum are three art ensembles that were created during the 18th century. In their creation, an exceptional role was played by AntonioRinaldi. The manner of the Italian architect was distinguished by rationalism, intertwined with conservatism. In Oranienbaum, his works are the Chinese Palace, the Opera House, the Palace of Peter III and the "Roller Coaster".

All the park facilities constitute a kind of composition that is divided into the Lower Garden with the Menshikov Palace and the Upper Park with its many historical monuments.

Unique buildings of the Petrine era

The construction of the Great Palace and the creation aroundLower Park, whose distinctive feature is the architectural and artistic unity, was the beginning of the creation of the Oranienbaum complex. Sights of this part of the architectural complex, in addition to the Menshikov Palace, include the Catherine's Corps, Monplaisir Palace, Marley's Palace, the Sea Canal and the most beautiful avenues of fountains.

All of them have survived to our time. The Great Palace itself, despite repeated alterations, did not change its appearance much. He always remained close to his original design, which allows him to be ranked among the unique buildings of the Petrine era.

Landscape art

In the landscape art of that time have already triedto depart from the principles of regular planting of gardens. When creating the Upper Park, Rinaldi managed to achieve a smooth transition of one of its stylistic parts to another. The talented master took into account the peculiarities of the picturesque area, which distinguishes Oranienbaum. The park, consisting of its own summer residence and the Peterstad ensemble, has come together. There are no strict lines, neatly trimmed tree crowns, typical for regular planning. But clearly there is a harmonious unity, in which the complex geometric patterns of avenues, sites, water maze of ponds and artificial lakes, connected by channels, merge of wild nature and unique architecture have merged. The latter is represented by a unique combination of the Rococo style with the elements of the emerging classicism.

Artistic design. Synthesis of beauty and expediency

An exceptional feature of Upper Parkis that its layout and designs of all the buildings in it are made by one architect. The artistic design of Rinaldi combined the magic of synthesis of beauty and expediency. The mixture of different styles in decor, the connection of regular and landscape principles, the equal participation of methods of both directions is distinguished by Oranienbaum, whose attractions blend harmoniously into one with the landscape, striking with its beauty and grandeur.

Architectural and artistic ensembles of the park

In the depths of the Upper Park, the gaze opensThe Chinese palace, which is part of the complex of Own Dacha. It is interesting that originally the structure was called the "Dutch house". The new name appeared later and is due more to the fashion for "Chinese". The interior of the palace is decorated in the spirit of Chinese and Japanese art.

The complex of Own Villa also includesfamous pergola Pergola, consisting of 54 pylons and a stone staircase pond descending to the water. It was created in the XIX century and is an excellent decoration of the garden and park architecture of the time. The pergola was erected on the site of the Coffee House, which never was embodied in the life of Rinaldi.

Attracts the attention of the "Roller Coaster"which is a grandiose park construction. Here, the courtiers were entertained by skating from the ice hills, one after the other, making up 532 meters in length. Traditional folk entertainment was available in the summer.

The construction of the "Stone Hall" was probably intended for concerts. Currently, there is an interactive cinema and an exhibition of interior and park sculpture.

In the Upper Park you can also see the Cavalier Corps, the Honored Gate, the pavilion called the "Chinese Cuisine".

Petrovsky Park

Petrovsky Park is another creation of Rinaldi. His layout was conducted with the participation of the master Lamberti. When it was created on the principle of Italian gardens, elements of the regular direction were also used. Numerous cascades and terraces are interspersed with miniature pavilions, among them - a two-story Hermitage, Solovyovaya gazebo, a Chinese house.

Now Petrovsky park is executed in a landscape style. Its compositional base is the Karasta River, Upper and Lower Ponds.

How to get to Oranienbaum?

The royal residences in the vicinity of St. Petersburg are included in a variety of sightseeing tours. You can visit them yourself, if you know in advance how to get there.

Oranienbaum is located in the city of Lomonosov,located 40 kilometers from the northern capital. It is best to get here from the south-eastern part of the city. So, to the railway station "Oranienbaum" (in Lomonosov), you can get from the metro station "Avtovo" on a fixed-route taxi K-424a, bus number 200; from the station "Prospect Veterans" - by bus number 343. From the Baltic station to Lomonosov, electric trains are regularly sent.

Earlier from Kronstadt to the museum-reserve it was possible to get on the ferry, now it is easier to get by bus №175.

Portable Travel Guide

At the entrance to the park there is a map with keyplaces that Oranienbaum is famous for. Photo plan in the future will help to plan your trip correctly. It is worth paying attention to the instructions for downloading the portable guide to the park - this is the electronic application "Park Oranienbaum". It has a plan, a coat of arms, information about the history of the complex and a small video.