St. Petersburg imperial country residences news

Thanks for the advice on the Llama Pavilion, Cathy!  I can't believe how many small buildings used to be in the Imperial parks.

Here are some prewar photos of the chapel at Peterhof.  I got these from the book 'Rastrelli' by Matveev.  If anyone has any more pictures of the restored interior, please post them!  Also, I'd love to see pics of the completed Turkish Pavilion (interior and exterior). 

ArchitectCS,




I must own up that I have mistaken, the turkish pavilion is only partially restored, the extorior has been consolidate wheras the interiors is still during restoration, from what I read in the russian article, it must be completed in a near future.

Apologize...

A photo of the exterior monument, restored, the whole building will be reopen in june.

Givent its size, this pavilion is plan for the being visited by small groups of visitors (14-15) each time, visitors must be patient!

Thanks Vassili

What a gem of a little building...!

Vassili,

Thanks for posting the wonderful picture.  I had no idea the dome was gilded!

I can add the link http://www.fisp.spb.ru/index.php?page=224&lng=ru
(the Turkish bath in the process of restoration)

Dear Vlad,
Your send as usual are more marvellous than marvellous itself...I'm wordless!

Vassia

Thank you. Really, as I remember, this link was found by you.

Season 2009 in Tsarskoe Selo

Today Tsarskoe Selo museum begins a new tourist season. In this day the ferries in the Catherine Park start to work (to the island with the Concert Hall and Tzesma Column).




The museum bought 4 special trains for the tourists that will be working in the Catherine and Alexander Parks.

Tsarskoe Selo 2010

The Arabesque Hall in the Catherine Palace will be restored to the TS jubilee.




http://www.mr7.ru/news/society/story_11274.html


The Pavilion Hermitage in the Catherine Park in the process of the restoration:


http://www.mr7.ru/news/society/story_12335.html

Vladimir,

Your latest post fills me with joy!  The Arabesque Hall is one of my most favorite rooms. I've always had to admire it from old photos and it is wonderful to see it in color.  Do you know if the arabesques in the lower panels are being restored to their pre-war design or to Cameron's original?  I know that they were altered sometime in the mid to late 19th century.  Personally, I'd prefer Cameron's as his were very delicate.

Also, thanks for the picture of the Hermitage Pavilion.  I'm so glad they are finally getting around to it.  I think it is the only building in the Catherine Park that is still completely by Rastrelli (although I'm not sure on the Grotto...).  I've got some prewar pics I'll try and post in the next few days and some very recent pics of the Catherine Palace.  My boss just got back from a trip to Russia and took about 300 pictures for me!

These restorations are wonderful, but everything looks too new, and the gilding looks so bright, it will probably look better and more original in 50 years time when everything has mellowed.
I realise they cannot tone it down, but new restored gilt always looks so cheap and fake.

Just sad that they have so much money and the manpower to do all of this, while the Alexander Palace is rotting and falling apart, just 20 minutes walk away !!

     

I ended up answering my own question about the Arabesque Hall. After a little research I found that they are most definitely restoring Cameron's original design-or something close to it.  The hall was redecorated sometime in the 19th century and became a lot more fussy with heavier decor.  I'll post some pics of the changes, but it probably won't be until Monday.

I also think that it is Cameron`s design.