Vorontsov Palace
Vorontsov Palace is one of the most famous attractions of Crimea, built near the foot of Mount Ai-Petri. The design of the palace was planned taking into account the landscape, so it fits well with its unusual design into the environment.
The palace was built by order of Count M. WITH. Vorontsov, who then held the post of Governor General of the Novorossiysk Territory. During the construction, the work of serfs from the Moscow and Vladimir provinces was used, and a sapper battalion was also attracted to conduct excavation work. In 1840-1848, soldiers were engaged in the formation of terraces for Vorontsov Park. A stone for construction was mined near volcanic rock - diabase.
The palace project was completed by architect Edward Blor of England. The construction of the main buildings began in 1830 with a building for the dining room, from 1831 to 1837 the central part was built. In 1841, a billiard room was attached to the dining room, in the following years a ceremonial courtyard, guest, towers, and the last built a library. In 1848, sculptures of lions were installed at the main staircase, they marked the end of the construction of the palace and park complex. The palace was built on the grounds of English architecture, but oriental motifs are also clearly visible when designing chimneys and south entrance. The interior decoration of rooms individually and many has a name: Blue living room, Winter garden, Chinese office. The dining room in its design is similar to the knightly hall, beautifully decorated with carvings and large panels.
After the 1917 revolution, the Vorontsov Palace was nationalized, and later a museum was opened in it. During World War II, the palace, like most museums in Crimea, was looted. 537 paintings were taken out, and only a small part was found and returned. The Vorontsov Palace was the seat of a delegation from the UK during the Yalta Conference, when the leaders of the three superpowers of the anti-Hitler coalition met.
Today, the Alupkin Palace and Park Museum-Reserve has more than 25 thousand exhibits. Exposure rooms telling about the life of Vorontsov, many thematic exhibition halls with paintings: "Breathing roses aroma", "Poetry of the landscape", "Family gallery of Vorontsov" are collected in the ceremonial halls". Tea house by the sea also has paintings. The family library of Count Vorontsov, numbering over ten thousand books, is especially valuable.
