Built in 1755-1761 under the direction of the architect F.S. Argunova.
The grotto in the Kuskovo estate museum.
Moscow, Yunosti street, building 2s11
metro station "Vykhino"
In the eastern part of the Kuskovsky park, on the bank of a small picturesque pond, there is the Grotto pavilion. The construction of this structure in the "Italian" part of the French park is not accidental ("grotto" in translation from Italian - a cave). It was in the gardens and parks of Italy that similar structures appeared already in the 16th century, and in such a warm country either a bath or a fountain was arranged inside the grottoes. The grottoes became popular in many European countries, and by the 18th century the fashion for their arrangement reached Russia, but already, as a rule, as park pavilions, as in Kuskovo.
In a French regular park, almost devoid of shade, such structures were intended to enjoy the coolness on a hot summer day.
The element of water in stone is the main theme that sounds already in the architecture of this three-part Baroque building, built in 1756-1761 under the leadership of the serf architect Sheremetevs - Fyodor Semenovich Argunov. An illusion is created that a fountain is gushing from a stone vase on the dome, water "spreads" over the roof, columns and diverges in three circles at the base of the building. The reflection of the grotto in the unsteady ripples of water enhances the impression.
Despite the fact that history has not preserved the names of Russian sculptors working on statues of Roman gods in the niches of the grotto, we know the name of the carver M.I. Zimin, who made the hallmarks in the pediments, mascarons with lion heads and column capitals. The preserved gilded forged lattices in the window and doorways are the work of the serf masters of the Sheremetevs of the village of Pavlovo. At present, the Kuskovsky Grotto is the only pavilion in Russia that has retained its unique "grotto" finish from the 18th century, it is the most exotic among the architectural structures of Kuskov. In addition to the unique interiors of the pavilion, visitors will see an interesting exhibition "Captured by a stone water element ...".
In 1957, a white-stone sculpture was restored and exhibited in the niches of the pavilion. Four of the eight statues were considered hopelessly damaged and lay in the basements of the palace in the form of shapeless pieces of stone. A team of sculptures headed by I.P. Zharenkov worked on the restoration. According to the entry in the inventory book, the sculptures are named: "Flora", "Venus", "Jupiter", "Ceres (?)", "Diana", "Mercury", "Juno", "Flora".
In the niches there are white stone statues of gods and goddesses: Flora, Venus, Jupiter, Ceres, Diana, Mercury, Juno.
The Grotto pavilion in the Kuskovo Estate Museum - description, coordinates, photos, reviews and the ability to find this place in Moscow (Russia). Find out where it is, how to get there, see what's interesting around. Check out other places on our interactive map for more information. Get to know the world better.
Only 4 editions, the last one 2 years ago was made by alek-ka4alin2012 from Moscow
Pavilion "Grotto" in Pushkin (Russia) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.
- Tours for the New Year in Russia
- Last Minute Tours in Russia
Previous photo Next photo
During the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, it became fashionable to arrange special pavilions near the water at European courts: noble persons could transfer to a boat right from the doorway, without bothering to walk. The grotto was conceived as a response to Western influences - and the answer is truly sumptuous.
By the personal order of Elizabeth, Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli himself took up the design. The pavilion was created in the Elizabethan Baroque style, hence the richness of forms, the complex silhouette of the building and the architect's penchant for lavish decor. The design of the pavilion perfectly matches the place: Rastrelli deliberately designed the facades to be identical - this is how the Grotto visually connects the regular and landscape parts of the park. The pavilion is painted in delicate azure-white shades: an impeccable choice, since this color scheme simultaneously served as a "visiting card" of Rastrelli himself (in Catherine Park all buildings by his authorship are painted in the same way), and emphasized the pavilion's closeness to the water element.
To enhance the effect, Rastrelli added carved Neptune masks, images of dolphins, newts, sea plants and shells to the facade. As conceived by the architect, the interior also required finishing in a nautical style. For this, they even managed to buy dozens of poods of real shells ... but alas, the architect failed to implement his plan.
The pavilion is painted in delicate azure-white shades: this color scheme at the same time served both as a "visiting card" of Rastrelli himself, and emphasized the closeness of the pavilion to the water element.
The empress herself was not lucky either: she was never able to enjoy the boat trip. Although no effort or money was spared on the project, 10 years passed from the first sketches in 1745 to the embodiment in stone. A year later, the Seven Years' War broke out, and the decoration of the "Grotto" was pushed back to the next era - already Catherine's. By this time, baroque as a decorative style was outdated, and the new architect Antonio Rinaldi in 1771 completely re-created the interior in the elegant and light tradition of classicism. The impression of airiness was enhanced by the forged lattices on the windows, trimmed with gilded copper sheets.
Under Catherine the Great, not only the decor changed, but also the purpose of the building. The empress ordered to set up a kind of museum - to place in the pavilion a collection of ancient vases made of decorative stones, antique busts and classical sculptures (among them the famous statue of Voltaire, whom the empress considered a personal friend). From now on, the "grotto" is called the Morning Hall (according to legend, the empress loved to spend her leisure time here, admiring the dawn rays over the Great Pond). The legend has a foundation: it has been documented that on the days when the Empress was in her beloved pavilion, access to the park was closed until seven in the morning.
The coast was gradually moved away from the pavilion: at first, a simple artificial embankment was created, and in 1830, according to the project of the architect FF Vidov, the first pier was erected. After modernization in 1872, it existed unchanged for exactly a century - until it was rebuilt in granite already in Soviet times.
Nowadays, the pavilion is open to visitors, it displays numerous exhibits - the tradition of Catherine's era is still alive.
Practical information:
How to get there: full information about the address of the Catherine Park, available transport, opening hours and ticket prices can be found on the page "Catherine Park in Pushkin".
The pavilion is located on the bank of the Big Pond, between the landscape and the regular parts of the park.
The Grotto park pavilion in Tsarskoe Selo is located on the northern bank of the Big Pond. Famous architects Rastrelli and Rinaldi took part in its construction, it was ordered by Elizaveta Petrovna, and used by Catherine the Great.
Conceived by Peter's daughter as a boat dock, the Grotto in Tsarskoye Selo became the place of her daughter-in-law's state and literary pursuits. According to the fashion trends and tastes of the empresses, the interior inside changed, and radically.
The Grotto pavilion is located in Tsarskoye Selo, 300 meters southeast of the Catherine Palace, named after their relative, wife of Peter the Great and mother Elizabeth Petrovna. The photo from a height is precisely oriented to the cardinal points, with the Grotto and the pond in the foreground, the palace in some distance.
Among the nearby attractions are the Cameron Gallery as an extension of the palace and the Lower Bath, where we will soon go. The object of the previous campaign - the Hermitage in Tsarskoye Selo - was not included in the frame, it is to the left. The entire territory on which the named objects are located is occupied by the Catherine Park, namely its regular part.
Grotto in Tsarskoe Selo - near and inside
The three-part Grotto pavilion in Tsarskoye Selo, with a dome in the middle, was erected by several architects under the leadership of Rastrelli. The building is decorated with numerous columns and pilasters of the Corinthian order, united in several groups. Columns, unlike pilasters, have periodic stripes of blue
The whole range of colors of the pavilion is limited to white and blue, and the most delicate shade. A skillfully selected ratio of architectural elements, geometric shapes and their colors relieves the perception of the Grotto from the feeling of monotony. The trees in containers displayed along the facade additionally enliven the appearance of the building.
Initially, the grotto in Tsarskoe Selo, by the direction of Elizabeth Petrovna, was equipped with a pier for boats used by the empress when hunting for snipe. Catherine II, who succeeded her on the throne, ordered the pier to be removed; she used the pavilion as a place for solitary studies, mainly in the morning. Even the name Grotto was temporarily forgotten, replaced by the Morning Hall.
The colorful arch of the exit to the pond is richly decorated with stucco molding, the glazed opening is decorated with an openwork lattice. Naturally, there was no lively public, which our photographer caught in front of the pavilion's facade, in those days during Catherine's morning classes. There was a ban on anyone visiting the Grotto in Tsarskoye Selo without being summoned by the empress. She enjoyed solitude in the cool Morning Hall, walking by the pond and contemplating the natural beauty.
The decoration is primary and current
Rastrelli's decoration inside the pavilion, using a variety of shells of different sizes, did not last long. Already in the first ten years of her reign, Catherine ordered to change the interior to a classic one, which is observed by today's visitors. The author of the new decoration was Rinaldi, the author of the austere and imposing Marble Palace in the center of St. Petersburg, which is now a branch of the Russian Museum.
To decorate the interior in the Grotto in Tsarskoe Selo, outstanding sculptures and products by stone-cutters were collected. In the most prominent place was a copy of the famous statue of Voltaire seated in an armchair by Jean Houdon. However, during the French Revolution, the symbol of which was the thinker, the sculpture was removed at the behest of Catherine. Later, in the same place, the Empress herself was erected in the form of a bronze statue, a copy from the work of Rachette.
The aforementioned statue has not survived to this day; during the occupation of the city of Pushkin, it was buried in the ground for preservation. The Germans found it and took it to Germany, the further fate of the monument is unknown. The replacement for the loss was marble sculpture, one of the trial versions for the monument to Catherine the Great in St. Petersburg, the work of the author Mikhail Mikeshin and the sculptor Chizhov. The St. Petersburg monument is made of 50 tons of bronze, 10 meters high, with a figure of about 4.5 meters.
Pedestal and coins
The Grotto in Tsarskoe Selo could not accommodate a copy of such dimensions, the statue here is about the height of a short man. The same is the cylindrical granite pedestal on which the statue is installed. The manner of placing coins on the edge around the circumference of the pedestal is a new trend, complementing the old custom of throwing money into the sea, any ponds and fountains.
However, coins thrown into the water, according to legend, will provide the thrower with a return to the object he liked. For such a wish, the reservoir is a few dozen steps away. Other places where the coins fell were burials. Metal money was placed in mounds and coffins, even put into the palm or mouth of the deceased. For different peoples, this was a pass to the kingdom of the dead - Hades, a payment to Chiron for transporting it across the Styx River.
Christians tried to bribe the Apostle Peter to send him to Paradise instead of Hell; the Muslims did not bury the coins, but gave them to the poor. However, the coins also had a different purpose, being amulets and ornaments, awards for distinctions and commemorative signs. It is not yet clear how to interpret what he saw, according to the above, or as a hidden donation for the maintenance of the attraction.
On the embankment near the Grotto
Returning to the buried and lost sculpture of Catherine, it should be noted that she was not the only one. Not far from the Grotto, two more statues were also hidden, they survived the war underground and survived. After the blockade of Leningrad was lifted, they were removed unharmed, and after the war they were installed on the restored embankment.
On one side of the Grotto pavilion in Tsarskoye Selo, on a pedestal, is the Gladiator, kneeling and leaning on a shield. On the other - the Dying Gaul shown in the photo, a naked warrior dying on a shield from his wounds. This is a copy of a Roman reproduction of the original original made for King Attalus of Pergamon in honor of his victory over the enemy.
The northern end of the Big Pond, where the Grotto in Tsarskoye Selo is located, is very popular for walking among the residents of the city of Pushkin and visiting tourists. A visit to the pavilion is always combined with an outing into nature, which begins right on its embankment. The water area of the reservoir is quite extensive, boating is organized here, even on copies of Venetian gondolas with discharged gondoliers.
The man-made lake is the abode of waterfowl, and the ubiquitous pigeons flock to the remains of their feeding. There is enough food for them, entertaining visitors do not regret the food they have with them for the gathered birds. Good weather and fresh air turn the museum tour into a promenade.
The city of Pushkin is the largest concentration of attractions in the vicinity of St. Petersburg; administratively, it is now a metropolitan area. Do not forget to visit the Grotto pavilion in Tsarskoye Selo when you arrive here along with other objects.
The Grotto is a pavilion located on the northern bank of the Big Pond, in the Catherine Park in the city of Pushkin. The Grotto Pavilion, like the Hermitage, has become a tribute to the Western fashion for such structures in regular parks. Such buildings were usually erected on the shore of a reservoir, with free access to the water.
The Grotto was designed in the middle of the 18th century by the order of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna by the architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, and its construction began in 1755. Unfortunately, the Empress did not see the erected pavilion and could not sail away from it by boat along the Big Pond, as she had planned. The construction was completed already during the reign of Empress Catherine II, only in the 1760s.
The architecture of the Grotto pavilion was created in the Baroque style, which is characterized by its originality, aristocracy, colorfulness and richness of forms. Rastrelli managed to make the small building of the pavilion memorable and at the same time in harmony with the surrounding buildings and the garden. The facades of the Grotto are made in an azure-blue color, like all the works of Rastrelli in the Catherine Park. Only the columns combine white and blue tones, and intricate nautical patterns above the windows are accented with a white tint. The windows, decorated with figurines of dolphins, newts and the stern face of Neptune, emphasize the proximity of the structure to water. In this connection, the dome of the Grotto was originally completed with a carved wooden fountain.
Usually in Europe, pavilions similar to the Pushkin building were lined with shells from the inside, making them look like a genuine coastal grotto in a cave. Rastrelli thought to decorate the "Grotto" in a similar way, but this idea was not realized.
The interior of the "Grotto" was finished according to the plan of Antonio Rinaldi in 1771. This facing has survived to this day. A decade later, openwork lattices made of iron with gilded ornaments were installed on the windows and doors of the pavilion.
Catherine the Great was given an order to place antique statues, busts and ancient vases made of colored stones in the “Grotto” pavilion. Here, in a secluded and romantic atmosphere, surrounded only by stone statues, the empress preferred to deal with state affairs and literature. Catherine II called the Grotto pavilion the Morning Hall.
In the 19th century, the architect Alexander Fomich Vidov erected a pier on the Big Pond in front of the Grotto, which over time was almost completely destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. In 1971-1972, the pier was built again, this time from granite.
At present, the Tsarskoye Selo pavilion "Grotto" is open to sightseers; temporary exhibitions are exhibited in its halls.
Photo: Competition Policy Department Documentation
The Grotto Pavilion, built in the 18th century, will be restored at the Kuskovo Estate Museum. The building is a federal cultural heritage site. The project of work involves the preservation and adaptation of the building to modern conditions, as well as the organization of conditions for receiving visitors, this is stated in the documentation of the Department for Competition Policy.
In the building, monumental, easel and painting imitating artificial marble, gilding of bases and capitals in the central hall, stucco decoration, marble floor and drawn cornices will be restored. The restorers will have to recreate wooden structures, carvings, parquet floors, restore furniture, lighting fixtures, ceramic decor, mosaics, amber sets, and parts from ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The sculptures will also be restored and recreated, and the historical landscape and works of garden and park art will be restored around the grotto.
In the course of the work, the plaster decor of the facades and basement, the roof, balustrade and "cones" elements will be restored, window and door fittings will be repaired or replaced, window and door grilles will be restored with the restoration of the lost elements. In addition, engineering communications and video surveillance will be installed in the Grotto. Large-scale work to recreate the cultural heritage site will take about one and a half years.
The grotto was built in 1755-1761, the stone pavilion is made in the Baroque style on a three-stage plinth, it is decorated with sculptural, ornaments on the pediments and lion masks over the windows. The walls of the building are decorated with limestone tuff and colored glass.
The building is the only grotto in Russia. The central hall is painted in green with red veins and pink marble, the southern and northern halls are made in warm and cold colors. The walls of the halls are decorated with plaster moldings, mirrors, pieces of glass and sea shells.
The technique of decorating walls with mother-of-pearl, shells came to Russia from Germany, as well as with semiprecious stones and corals. The shells were brought from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as from reservoirs near Moscow.
Photo gallery
During a missile test, the Indian military destroyed a space satellite that was in low-earth orbit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in an address to the nation.
Architect-restorer, Deputy Head of the National Center for Heritage Trusteeship Sergei Konev I am sure that at the end of the restoration work, everyone will be able to see another element of gardening art, close to that era and the spirit of that time.
"The palace and park ensemble" Kuskovo "is unique for Moscow and for Russia. It collected at that time all the main technological and cultural elements in one place. One of them is the Grotto. The question of money, hands and opportunities reached it "This is very good. This means that we will see another element of landscape gardening art, which has been restored and is close to that era. It will be available not only for specialists, but also for everyone," he commented.
Konev also noted that the technologies of the 17th – 18th centuries have been preserved, and they are still being used today. "We have good specialists who will be able to cope with this task, both restorers-designers and restorers-builders. All technologies have been preserved, we have not yet had time to forget them," he added.
Estate "Kuskovo"- a vivid example of an architectural and artistic ensemble of the 18th century, the estate is located in the east of Moscow in the Veshnyaki district. Once the estate belonged to the Sheremetevs, the park ensemble includes a palace built in the style of classicism, the Grotto, Orangerie, Hermitage, Italian and Dutch houses, as well as the ceramics museum and the Church of the All-Merciful Savior.
The palace has preserved the decoration and layout of the interiors with works of Russian and European art, portraits of Russian imperialists and several generations of the owners of the estate, the Sheremetevs.
