They give Venice of the North and its suburbs a special halo of charm. The estates of St. Petersburg have many faces, like the city and the Leningrad region. Many trials have fallen to the share of estates and houses, but buildings, parks, structures retain the spirit of antiquity, serve as standards for elegant architectural solutions.

Yusupov Palace on the Moika

Legendary place on the map of Russia. The complex is open to the public daily. Here you have the opportunity to see the palace ceremonial halls, rooms where representatives of the famous princely dynasty lived. A separate exposition here is devoted to the murder of Grigory Rasputin. If you think about it, there is in this fact the irony of Her Majesty Fate.

The Yusupov clan did everything possible to destroy either the holy old man, or the brilliant swindler, so that Rasputin would cease to influence the royal family. And as a result, the Yusupov dynasty received his curse, from which it was wiped off the face of the earth. The building on the Moika was erected almost 300 years ago. The architectural ensemble has been repeatedly reconstructed and rebuilt.

It is a kind of reflection of the characteristic features of the representatives of the Yusupov family: love of luxury, desire for power. In addition to the main building, a stable outbuilding, a church, and a home theater have survived to this day. The most popular part of the complex among tourists is an art gallery with masterpieces of domestic and foreign masters.

Museum-estate of G.R. Derzhavin

Located on the Fontanka embankment. It should be clarified right away: the object is not a remake, however, restorers restored many of its parts from scratch according to old sketches. On the territory of the estate there is a magnificent garden, where the great Russian poet Derzhavin liked to relax, about whom many literary critics tried to “forget” after the revolution. This is a very cozy place where literary holidays for adults and children take place these days.

During the life of the poet, the house was visited by many famous people of his time. Historians managed to literally bit by bit recreate its interiors, collect household items of nobles, books, and rare documents. In the central building of the complex there is a permanent exhibition dedicated to the development of Russian literature.

Here you can see the atmosphere of the master's office and rooms, where young Pushkin presented his poems to the public at the literary noble evenings. The house houses exhibitions dedicated to the work of other Russian poets, the Patriotic War of 1812, and antique porcelain.

Museum-estate of I.E. Repin “Penates”

The northern capital of Russia and the village of Repino are separated by more than 40 kilometers. It was here that the great Russian artist dreamed of spending the last years of his life. And so it happened, and the place on the shore of the Gulf of Finland has become a cult for many generations of music lovers. The territory received its ancient name before the revolution thanks to Repin.

The artist created sketches of images of the ancient Roman gods, so that they would keep the dwelling. Repin's grave is located on the territory. “Penates” are famous for the fact that among the guests of the house were composers Anatoly Lyadov and Alexander Glazunov, poets Vladimir Mayakovsky and Sergei Yesenin, writers Maxim Gorky and Alexander Kuprin.

People who dreamed of changing the system, educating a new generation of youth in Russian culture, walked along the alleys. This house has always attracted revolutionary-minded individuals, including Narodnaya Volya. Nowadays, on the legendary territory there is a croquet court, an artesian well, a copy of an ancient Egyptian temple, where … ancient features are clearly visible.

theologian

The unique ethnographic park is cozy at any time of the year. The architectural complex consists of 2 estates: Bogoslovka and the house of the Zinovievs. It includes a museum of peasant life with its unique exhibits. Monuments of wooden architecture are collected on the territory of Bogoslovka.

In the open-air museum on the banks of the Neva, you can see recreated copies of ancient temples, houses, fortifications, craft workshops. Zinovyevo is also located in this tract. The estate includes a noble house, next to which a park was created in accordance with the canons of the second half of the 19th century.

The second complex includes piers, partially restored outbuildings, and pavilions. It is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And the Museum of Peasant Life is a remake, but its collections date back to the end of the past – the beginning of this century.

This exhibition complex allows you to get acquainted with the life of different segments of the population. It is divided into 2 parts: documentary (it is more interesting for professional historians) and adapted, where museum staff organize photo shoots, historical reconstructions, provide visitors with an opportunity to try on copies of old costumes, and participate in interactive shows.

Oranienbaum

The royal residence was once located here, and politicians resolved issues that determined the fate of Russia for centuries. The palace on the coast of the Gulf of Finland belongs to the city of Lomonosov. Its buildings were erected 300 years ago and still amaze with their grace. In the exterior and interior of the palace, the influence of the Italian school is clearly felt.

Pittoni's wall decorations are still preserved in the residence. The legendary painter was one of those thanks to whom the Baroque style reigned supreme in Europe and Russia. Oranienbaum is interesting for its gardens and parks. On its territory there are several luxurious palaces, the Sea Canal, defensive structures, pavilions.

The residence was, in fact, a city within a city. In it, representatives of the imperial dynasty of the Romanovs rested, received guests, enjoyed the beauties of nature, arranged amorous meetings with favorites and favorites, held secret diplomatic negotiations. It is noteworthy that almost all buildings have preserved their original interiors and exteriors, and the parks look exactly the way they did before the revolution.

Manor Maryino

A unique place in the suburbs of St. Petersburg is often called one of the visiting cards of the Tosnensky district of the Leningrad region. It is located between two villages and once belonged to the famous Stroganov dynasty of industrialists. Therefore, Maryino has a second, no less famous, name: Stroganovo.

The estate later passed into the possession of the Golitsin family, they also invested fabulous money in the estate. The architecture of Maryino accurately reflects the spirit of different imperial eras. In her motives, the influence of European and Russian schools is clearly felt. At the same time, the objects of the complex surprisingly harmoniously fit into the surrounding landscape.

The paths of the park in Maryino beckon to walk, admire the gazebos, trees, the water surface of ponds, canals, a grandiose stone bridge and light graceful bridges. At various times, state institutions were located on this territory. Today it is a private property, the building has acquired the status of a hotel complex. Today, holidays, family celebrations are held in Maryino, conditions for VIP recreation have been created.

Manor Leuchtenberg

Located on a hill, it has another name: Mountains. His buildings can be considered a typical example of late classicism. The austere, majestic palace impresses with its laconic forms, the genius of planning solutions. The history of this place is closely connected with the imperial family of the Romanovs.

The palace was built by order of Nicholas I, and quite naturally, which reflects the tastes of the Russian autocrat. This is a gift from the emperor to his daughter, one of the first buildings in St. Petersburg, where the influence of eclecticism is noticeable. This territory now belongs to the biological institute. Access to unique buildings is limited.

It is noteworthy: before the revolution, the palace was often called the “Whim of Fate”, because Russia was at war with France, and a representative of the Romanov dynasty married a Frenchman. Moreover: a man who was the stepson of Napoleon. So the Duke of Leuchtenberg acquired the surname Romanovsky, a princely title, a position in society, and through marriage with the daughter of a political opponent immortalized his name.

Utkina dacha

The architectural ensemble is located at the junction of the Okkervil and Okhta rivers. The same name is given to the museum located on its territory, whose objects are recognized as monuments of federal significance. The owners of the cottage changed several times. Its main buildings were erected almost 300 years ago to house the first representatives of the famous Poltoratsky dynasty.

These were extraordinary people: thanks to their creative talents, beautiful voices, they entered the circle of those close to the imperial house. The dacha is intended for recreation, but the fame of a strange place for it was fixed even before the revolution. There are versions that 600 years ago the land belonged to famous Swedish military families.

Maybe that's why locals, tourists periodically see ghosts in an old foreign form? And another mysticism: noble women, one way or another connected with the estate, often expected widowhood. In the new century, the fate of the monument of federal significance is more favorable than in the past, when it was even used as a hospital for the mentally ill. Gradually, Utkino turns into the country's largest art platform for international exhibitions.

Shelter

The estate of the famous Olenin family has been perfectly preserved to this day. The history of the majestic architectural complex began more than 200 years ago, when a Russian historian and public figure decided to spend his wife's dowry on the purchase of a large plot of land that no one needed. At that time, it was a very common occurrence that the husband managed the money in the family.

Olenina, in general, was lucky: her husband did not lose her dowry at cards and did not spend it on the maintenance of girls of easy virtue. The buildings on the site were marvels of engineering. Representatives of the Olenin family (adults and children) personally planted trees in the alleys of Priyutino Park.

Zhukovsky and Pushkin were guests in a large cozy mansion, Glinka performed romances, Russian artists showed sketches of their future masterpieces. The main building is now open to the public all year round. Olenin's original interiors have not been completely restored in it.

Cottage Kushelev-Bezborodko

The building is located on the right bank of the Neva and looks simply fabulous. There is something from sunny Italy in its appearance, and there are also Lyon motifs in the design of exteriors and interiors. Previously, the dacha was called simply: Teplovo.

Senator Teplov was a very wealthy nobleman and miser. He did not understand why he needed to go somewhere to improve his health, when there were many healing springs right in St. Petersburg. The main thing, as the first owner of the dacha thought, was to put up the new building correctly so that everything was at hand.

Bottom line: even total savings did not help Teplov pay off his debts, he sold part of the property. So the unique place became the property of the Kushelevs. The nobles were fans of the Palladian school, therefore, figures of lions, various attributes of ancient palaces, appeared near the house. Healing springs have survived to this day. Relatively recently, the dacha was completely restored, services began on its territory in the temple of Panteleimon the Healer.

Znamenka

The unique architectural ensemble on the territory of Peterhof is often compared to a pearl. A look at its buildings, alleys leaves a feeling of flight, joy, celebration. The Grand Duke's residence is not inferior to the royal palaces in its luxury. She, in fact, is the standard of neo-baroque.

The dacha repeatedly changed owners, and they made changes to its appearance. And it did not immediately turn into a rich summer residence. In order for the architectural ensemble to acquire a modern look, it took the efforts of various architects, huge financial investments, even by the standards of the Romanovs. During the Great Patriotic War, Znamenka was completely plundered.

Attempts to find furniture and paintings taken out of the palace were unsuccessful. And yet the estate, where Empress Elizaveta Petrovna once rested, survived. Today the palace is at the disposal of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation.

Demidov's mansion

Mystical place on Bolshaya Morskaya street. Petersburgers believe that ghosts live here. Many citizens claim that they personally saw the ghostly figure of the famous industrialist next to the building in the evenings. St. Petersburg psychics believe that the reason for this is very banal: the Demidovs bought their title of princes of San Donato. And, consequently, they inherited the unhappy karma of a foreign kind.

Officially, the title was granted by the Italian king, but the name of San Donato often appeared in the lists of rebels, conspirators, and other individuals inconvenient for the authorities. Under Peter the Great, the Demidov family gained trust and mercy for the representatives of the Romanov dynasty, and later became famous for patronage and patronage of talented people.

The mansion and St. Isaac's Cathedral can be considered close “relatives”, because they were built according to the project of Auguste Montferrand. In the house-palace today there is an elite restaurant with 200 seats, which serves gourmet dishes. Luxurious Demidov interiors have been completely restored in the mansion.

Dacha Bezobrazovyh

Most often, a building with adjacent buildings is called a Zhernovka. Not far from them are modern high-rise buildings. New buildings only enhance the feeling of time travel when looking at an old cottage surrounded by majestic trees. The Palladian style, once so fashionable in St. Petersburg, has left its mark here.

The first buildings appeared here 400 years ago, and the architectural solutions were inspired by strict classicism. Zhernovka combines the romantic perception of antiquity (when ancient Roman, ancient Greek buildings began to seem ideal to people thousands of years later) and Russian-Byzantine planning principles.

Luxurious interiors of the majestic dacha, its landscape park were created by the best Italian masters. On the other hand, outbuildings are decorated by domestic craftsmen as a counterbalance to Europe: in an intricate oriental style. In the new century, the dacha turns into an office, cultural center, while remaining a monument of federal significance.

Manor of Vorontsova-Dashkova

The amazing place is associated with several famous noble dynasties that made a huge contribution to the prosperity of the Russian Empire. The park with majestic buildings is located within the boundaries of the Northern capital. The unique complex occupies more than 100 hectares.

It is hard to believe that there were once poor villages here. The flourishing of the town began from the time of Peter the Great, who presented these lands to his beloved daughter Elizabeth. There are several estates on the territory. The buildings named after the Vorontsovs and Dashkovs occupy only its central part. The main building, surrounded by majestic trees, looks very impressive.

It was created in the neoclassical style. The severity of its lines, the refinement of the exterior are in harmony with the concept of a later redevelopment of the park. On the territory of the latter there is a small palace, several noble dachas, 12 ponds with all kinds of bridges, bridges, ruins of outbuildings.

Kshesinskaya's mansion

The mistress of the last Russian emperor knew a lot about luxury. Matilda had several rented mansions. The first of them did not bear her name. The building was then rented by Nikolai Romanov, who was in love with a dancer, when he was still a crown prince. Kshesinskaya did not like that mansion. Maybe she was tormented by guilt before her father?

The famous Polish dancer Felix, having learned about her affair with a crowned lady, turned gray overnight. The reason for this was not the daughter's amorous adventures, but the prediction of an old fortuneteller that after the blood’s romance with the brothers from the royal family, the Kshesinsky family would die out. The ballerina built a new mansion with her own money. Gauguin worked on the design of the building in the northern modern style.

Not an artist, but an outstanding Russian architect, thanks to whom a mosque, the Suvorov Museum and other interesting buildings appeared in St. Petersburg. In the interiors of a luxurious mansion one can guess the features of neoclassical, empire style. After the revolution, the new government quickly took away the palace from the mistress, thoroughly robbed the Romanovs in search of the treasure.

Later, its luxurious interiors were restored, and access to the museum building was opened for tours. An interesting nuance: the only son of Matilda and Nikolai (and, possibly, one of his close relatives, because they also met Kshesinskaya) died young under strange circumstances in France.

Museum-estate of N.K. Roerich

The unique building houses a state museum institution. The house is recognized as an object of cultural heritage, but the name turned out not very beautiful. The fact is that the building belonged to the famous doctor Botkin, who was shot along with the royal family.

The great doctor was a hospitable person. The Roerichs cannot be called the only outstanding people who stayed here. However, Mikhail Petrovich, perhaps, would not be against such perpetuation of the memory of the family of artists, philosophers, travelers. Another irony of Her Majesty's Fate: the building once belonged to the ancestors of Vladimir Ulyanov (Lenin), who ordered the execution of the Romanovs, Botkin and those who did not abandon the imperial family.

Now in a huge house there is a memorial exposition dedicated only to the Roerich family. The collection includes paintings, rare documents, photographs, and personal items. More than 15,000 items are stored in museum funds.

Elizabeth Palace

The glory of a unique place has firmly entrenched behind the site, but ardent zealots of antiquity do not particularly favor it. The reason is simple: modern interactive technologies provide the effect of immersion in the past and have nothing to do with peace, silence. The palace is located in the Gatchina district, the building is used for organizing premium holidays. Almost all parts of the garden, the English park, and outbuildings have been restored here.

Elizavetino hosts cultural events, corporate parties, weddings. The lion's share of the profit from the commercial activities of the object goes to maintaining the estate. The palace, in fact, has been turned into an elite hotel. The cost of rooms in it is impressive, and they are usually booked several months in advance. The reason for the popularity of the palace is simple: the spirit of the Elizabethan era is perfectly preserved here, there is an opportunity to feel like a nobleman.

Rozhdestveno

Mansions, estates with consonant names are not uncommon for Russia. All of them are characterized by a special fabulous atmosphere of a winter holiday. Neither wars nor revolutions could destroy it. The object, protected by the state, is located in Gatchina.

The building houses a museum of Vladimir Nabokov, whose “Lolita” was banned in the last century for publication, distribution in many European countries, including France, which is very tolerant of erotic works. The house is located on an elevated place. It is surrounded by green spaces.

To be fair, the building belonged only to the relatives of the writer. But it was it that turned out to be the most suitable place for storing, exposing unique things of representatives of the Nabokov family. No less interesting is the park adjacent to the house, where healing springs gush, karst caves and ancient Orthodox churches are perfectly preserved.

In the water

The unique object is located in the village of the same name. A museum has been opened here, whose visiting card has become Pushkin's holidays. It would be more correct to call this place the Hannibals' estate, because the ancestors of the great poet Alexander Pushkin lived in Suida since the time of Peter the Great. There is no other such unique collection as the one in the museum anywhere in the world. For many admirers of the poet's work, “Suyda” is one of the places of worship.

Here you can see the personal belongings of the Hannibals. Among the exhibits there are many old books, dishes, interior items created in the Pushkin era. Regarding some things, there are disputes about the authenticity of the relics, but is it really that important? A typical example: a lace towel with the monogram “AS”. It is not a fact that the thing belonged to Pushkin, but I would like to believe that it was so.

Museum-estate of P.E. Shcherbova

The memorial house-museum is named after the famous cartoonist; its expositions are devoted not only to the creative work, but also to the bright life of the celebrity. The exhibition halls contain rare exhibits related to the history of aviation, architecture, Gatchina, where Pavel Yegorovich lived.

Interesting exhibitions and live music concerts are constantly held here. An amazing creative atmosphere reigns in the house. She, according to visitors, acts inspiringly. What else is remarkable about the art object? It was built at the beginning of the last century according to the canons of Art Nouveau. Almost all 10 of its rooms have been preserved in their original form.

Celebrities liked to visit the house: from Chaliapin, Kuprin to Nesterov and Pervukhin. In its rooms, representatives of the creative intelligentsia had heated debates about the future of Russia, made plans to educate young people in the spirit of love for the Fatherland and Russian culture.

Kelch Mansion

A landmark place for connoisseurs of the history of Russian architecture. The house on Tchaikovsky Street fascinates, amazes, surprises. The mansion is just over 100 years old, its architecture is closer to neo-baroque in its decisions and at the same time very eclectic, unpredictable, mysterious. Various architects worked on the building project.

Professionals added a little bit of everything to it: gothic, renaissance, neoclassical, pseudo-gothic. The result was something close to fantasy, but at that time this style did not yet exist in art. The interior and exterior decoration of the building can be described in two words: a lot of everything.

There is stucco molding, stone carving, complex ornate patterns, strict geometric figures, sculptural compositions, a three-tier fireplace, handmade parquet, where eagles and lions are depicted. And in the house you can also find finishing elements made of expensive marble, unique lighting solutions. Surprisingly, this feeling of bad taste does not arise at all. But what you see is breathtaking, sets in a romantic mood.

Chernysheva dacha

The building is named after a famous count family. It is located within the boundaries of the Northern capital, and earlier belonged territorially to Gatchina. These places remember the Romanovs, Sheremetevs, Mishukovs, Tolstoy. Classical architectural solutions prevail here, where sophistication is combined with aristocracy, the desire to combine Italian styles and Russian (more precisely: Byzantine) traditions.

The dacha has a second name: Alexandrino. Sometimes it is called Ulyanovka, which is not entirely true, since the second one is a separate part of the same forest park. It is pleasant to walk along the paths of the dacha along the ponds, relax in the shade of centuries-old trees. This place is well known to many residents of Russia and abroad from the frames of TV series and historical films. Shooting horror films, TV shows about the other world are also great here.

Dacha Chernov

An interesting version of eclectic solutions was not appreciated by contemporaries. The dacha on the banks of the Neva was built by the Russian architect Gauguin. Why did his innovations meet with such a strange reaction? The genius was accused that he … interpreted the Russian style too freely. Gauguin decided to reproduce the building with a reference to the architectural solutions of the pre-Petrine era. So it turned out a kind of roll call with the famous Moscow chambers.

Not all residents of the Northern capital liked it. That's the whole secret, why there were so many disputes around the building. At the beginning of this century, the stately home found a new life: it was restored, the magnificent garden next to it was restored. The amazing place has literally changed and looks exactly as Gauguin dreamed: unusual, powerful, bewitching.

Medieval city of Svargas

It is very popular among residents and visitors of the city. The Varangian city is a remake, but it turned out to be more than reliable. If you believe the legends, archaeological finds, there was a large Viking settlement here many centuries ago. The tourist site was created to reproduce the everyday realities of the early Middle Ages as authentically as possible.

Svargas is constantly changing, as if such a process occurs many hundreds of years ago with a real northern settlement. New buildings, workshops, farmsteads appear in it. Holidays, shows, cultural events at the art site are held in an interactive format.

Children and adults here can participate in master classes, make copies of antiques with their own hands. There is no running water, electricity, the usual benefits of civilization, but there is an opportunity to try dishes cooked in real wood-burning ovens.

E.G. Mansion Vollenweider

The two-storey house is located on Kamenny Island. The building was built in the northern modern style. When you look at it, you get the feeling that this is a piece of Scandinavia, not Russia. The massive house was built at the beginning of the last century in record time, given the complexity of the preliminary earthworks: in just a year.

Rare types of granite are used in its cladding, according to which connoisseurs could once judge the wealth of the building's owners. The most interesting architectural solutions of the mansion are connected with the roof and windows. The first one is made of expensive elite tiles, and the window constructions surprise… with their variety of shapes. There are 9 types of windows that have a fabulous view.

Inside the building, stained-glass windows, oak trim panels, stucco moldings, and fireplaces are perfectly preserved (and somewhere completely restored). Nowadays, the mansion is an elite hotel, but St. Petersburg residents often call it simply and sweetly: “our teremok”.