Vorontsov Palace – a jewel of Tauris. A visit to a small South coast town of Alupka just to stroll through the mysterious Park surrounding the famous castle. Its walls keep many secrets. The Palace was designed by court architect of Queen Victoria of England, here under the veil of mystery met members of the Masonic Lodge, here of the legendary Winston Churchill, rested the great of this world famous film...
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Only some 20 years...
Since the story of the Vorontsov Palace, not mention the man who created this architectural masterpiece. A descendant of the old Russian noble family, Mikhail Semenovich Vorontsov was famous for the wit, erudition and refined taste. In the tradition of his time, he since birth has been recorded in the regiment, and in four years "made" to warrant! With 19 years of Vorontsov has really waging a war with the Turks, the Swedes and the French. In the famous battle of Borodino, a young Earl gets injured. In the years 1815-1818, Vorontsov commanded the Russian occupation corps in France. Also takes part in the campaigns of the Caucasus, and in 1845 erected in princely advantage.
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Fruitful activities of Prince Vorontsov in peacetime. A significant mark on himself, he left the new Russia, which was ruled by being in the rank of Governor from 1823 to 1844-the year. In those days edge, trusted him, included a considerable part of the Northern black sea, including Crimea. Vorontsov was also a great handyman. In the period of his reign cost increased Odessa, Kherson, Nikolaev, Sevastopol. The Governor manages to hold the road, including the magnificent South coast highway in the Crimea. At this time there shall be a shipping company on the Black sea, the foundations of viticulture and fine-fleeced sheep.
"He possessed great wealth – his and his wife, Countess Branitskaya, and we get huge content as Governor and spent most of their funds for the construction of the Palace and gardens on the southern coast of the Crimea", – wrote about count Leo Tolstoy "Hadji Murad".
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For the construction of your dream Vorontsov spared no expense, nor time, nor human resources. The construction of the Palace lasted 20 years – work was carried out from 1828 to 1848. To create the project invited Edward Blore, is a court architect of Queen Victoria. He owned many famous buildings – castle Walter Scott in Scotland and Buckingham Palace in London. Still unknown, did Blore to Alupka, but he miraculously managed to perfectly combine the architecture with the surrounding mountain scenery. Perhaps the schemer lit up with inspiration, but it is possible that he came to the Crimea to get acquainted with the local terrain.
By the time of implementation of the project Blore foundations and first walls of the portal niche of the Central building was ready. The Palace was originally built by architects Francesco Boffo and Thomas Harrison.
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To build the Palace come hereditary masons and stone-cutters, who had experience in the construction and relief decoration of white-stone cathedrals. Thus, elegant residence was built on obrok serfs from the Vladimir and Moscow provinces. A wonderful architectural piece was built by hand using primitive tools.
The first rose dining Cabinet then was built the Central. In 1842 to the dining room was added a billiard room. And in the years 1838-1844 shaped courtyard, was built guest building, Eastern wings, all Palace towers, the Pentagon of commercial buildings. The latter was built the library building.
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The architecture of the Palace has elements of various periods, styles, architectural eclecticism, however, looks very harmonious. The architects boldly combine the English style with Moorish. A vivid example: the Gothic chimneys resemble minarets of the mosque. The South entrance demonstrates Oriental splendor. It is very similar to the Spanish Alhambra Palace, once owned by the Arab rulers. On its facade the inscription is repeated six times, in Arabic, stating: "there is No Victor but Allah".
The Western part of the facade is in neo-Gothic style. From the mountains of the Palace resemble the harsh outlines of the castles of the English aristocracy. The Palace tower are very diverse. The building is decorated with all sorts of spires and domes, carved eaves and openwork balustrades, staircases and chimney... it is not Surprising that here in the twentieth century created the film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson and Shakespeare, starred the famous "Heavenly swallows", "Crazy day or the Marriage of Figaro" and many other paintings.