The Harakas Palace ~ Russia from the Crimea to Kamchatka

Harakas is a palace and park complex belonging to several representatives of the Romanovs' house, has a rich history that goes back to the heyday of the Roman Empire. Once there was a powerful military fortification - the fortress of Harax, as evidenced by archaeological excavations.

Once upon a time in these coastal lands was a large military camp of a powerful Roman Empire. To strengthen their positions, the Romans erected a fortress called Harax on the territory of modern Haspra. It was erected in the sixties of the 1st century AD. The Romans left this fortress only two centuries later, approximately, in 244 AD. Before leaving the fortress, they deliberately destroyed the water supply system and a few particularly significant structures, and later on the place of the fortress there was a settlement ready and a fishing village.

In the second half of the XIX century, the land on which the fortress was located found its famous master. They were bought by Mikhail Nikolayevich Romanov, the youngest son of Emperor Nicholas I.

Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich

At the end of XIX the land was taken over by two sons of Mikhail Nikolayevich: Alexander Mikhailovich and Georgy Mikhailovich. The first became the owner of most of the site, and the second - the smaller of its territory.

Grand Prince Georgy Mikhailovich

1906

In 1904, Georgy Mikhailovich invited to the project of his palace house and other manor houses of the famous architect with an impeccable reputation - Nikolai P. Krasnov. At that time, the architect had already carried out several grandiose projects and to prove himself well. The project proposed by Krasnov was large and original: he assumed the erection of a main house in the style of late modernism, with the predominance of architectural forms typical of Scottish cottages. In architectural unity with the house, the project envisaged the erection of a host of guest and household buildings, a church, a chapel, a garden and a park.

Krasnov formulated the architectural style of the main house as "modern Scottish": it combined both traditional Scottish materials and technologies, as well as the author's innovative vision. So, the building is covered with English tiles, but is made of local limestone with the use of mosaic masonry technology. The building is almost devoid of decor, so the main rate Krasnov made for an unusual combination of gray facades with a red-brown roof and openwork window openings with laconic general forms of the facade. At the same time, the architect remained true to himself and created an interesting variety in each palace facade. With the general unity of style from each angle, the mansion looked different. To make a general impression of its appearance, it was necessary to carefully consider it from all sides.

While developing the concept of the park, Krasnov wanted to achieve the effect of a well-groomed coastal zone. Thinking about the composition of the flora, he talked about whether this or that plant would look good in these conditions after 10, 50 and even 100 years. In Character Krasnov experimented with non-traditional trees to create alleys. For example, the beginning of the staircase leading from the palace area to the sea, as it were, "hidden" in the shadow of quaintly trimmed pears. The staircase itself is an important semantic and architectural element of the park. Steep stone stairs lead up to the statue depicting a kneeling woman praying to God. By this symbol the architect wanted to convey the most important essence of the Christian teaching: only through overcoming difficulties and temptations can you achieve the salvation of the soul.

Under Soviet rule, the Kharakaz estate was nationalized and transferred to the balance of one of the rest homes. The present state of the estate has not changed much in the last hundred years. Here is the sanatorium "Dnepr", and in the library of the sanatorium there is a historical-archeological museum telling all visitors about the amazing history of these places.

Observation Deck

Beach

Landscaped park created by Krasnov.

Among the park buildings, special attention is paid to the so-called "antique arbor". Its base in the form of columns and entablature from the atrium of the destroyed palace "arrived" in Harax from the destroyed Oreanda estate.