The Vorontsov Palace

Strict English architecture in the western and northern part of the palace is inconceivably mixed with the Muslim pomp of the southern and eastern facade. The palace was designed by English court architect Edward Blore. The palace has about 150 rooms, the main part of them is distinguished by expensive finishing, unique furniture and paintings. And in the winter garden on the background of luxurious green flowers adorns a collection of antique statues.

The Vorontsov Palace. The northen part

The Vorontsov Palace. The southen part

The Vorontsov Palace was created from a diabase, mined in the vicinity of Alupka, commissioned by one of the most famous and influential families of the Russian Empire. The construction of the complex lasted more than one year, all new buildings and architectural delicacies were gradually added. At the moment, this magnificent structure is given the status of a monument of architecture, and inside there is a museum.

The palace is surrounded by the picturesque Vorontsov park, which is now a monument of landscape art. Its creator was Karl Antonovich Kebach, chief gardener of the Southern coast. A gifted German botanist, worked on this project from December 1824 to April 1851.

Palace architecture

Decisive feature of the architectural style of the palace was the foothill relief, thanks to which the whole complex organically combines with the surrounding landscape and acquires a surprisingly unique and unique image. Two styles of English and neo-Moorish were harmoniously intertwined in the project. English style includes elements of different eras. Elements of an earlier time are on the western gates, but the further we move into the interior of the territory, the closer the style of buildings becomes to our time.

Neo-Mauritian refers to the southern entrance, which is decorated with all the pomp of the east, and chimneys in Gothic style, similar to the minarets of the mosque.

History of construction

The palace complex was built for quite a long time, from 1828 to 1848, for the popular statesman Count M.S. Vorontsova. The author of the project was the English architect Edward Blor, who himself never visited the Crimea and Alupka, but he knew everything about the local landscape, besides, work began with the project of other people (Francesco Boffo and Thomas Harrison), so the foundation was already ready.

All works were made by serfs of the Moscow and Vladimir region by hand, with primitive construction equipment. To the process of creating the palace, experienced stone-cutters and rock-cutters, who worked in this field for many years, were involved.

The construction of the palace complex began with the dining room, it was built 4 years, from 1830 to 1834, a year later, after the construction of the dining room, began to work on the central, in the 41st to the dining room attached a billiard room. From 1838 to 1844 a lot of work was done: the registration of the central entrance took place, farm buildings, guest houses, all the pinnacles of the palace were built. From 42 to 46, the last building, the library building, was created.