Arkhangelsk

Arkhangelsk was first mentioned in documents of the XVI century and for the next three centuries was in the possession of the princes Odoevsky, Golitsyn and Yusupov. Construction began in 1784 under Nikolai Golitsyn, who did not live to see its completion. His widow sold the estate to Nikolai Yusupov, and the prince placed his art collection in the palace. During the Napoleonic Wars, rare items were taken to Astrakhan, the estate was looted, and in 1820 a large fire broke out in it. After the revolution, a historical and art museum was opened in the estate. The Grand Palace, designed by Parisian architect Ern, is the central part of the heritage museum. Harmony and symmetry prevail here, strict proportions and correct shapes. The rotunda with tall windows is the central element of the building, and the numerous columns forming porticos and colonnades are the main decoration. The palace is surrounded by a huge park and combines various periods and styles. The building is framed by terraces reminiscent of Italian Renaissance gardens. On both sides of the terraces there are English-style landscaped parks with large flower beds, and in front of the palace there are French-style park alleys with rotundas, fountains, sculptures and memorial columns.