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Investigate the Splendor of Tsaritsino Estate

Moscow has always been a city of historical significance in Russia. Its lavish buildings and memorials to the past have turned Moscow into a popular tourist destination and it is known as the heart of culture and arts in Russia. But on the outskirts of this amazing city, lies a place that is steeped in history and overflows with majestic beauty and architectural masterpieces – the Tsaritsino Estate.

The history of the Tsaritsino Estate starts as far back as the sixteenth century, when the estate belonged to Tsarina Irina. By the seventeenth century, ownership fell to the Streshnev family and later became a part of the kingdom of Princes Golitsin. When Peter the Great took over the leadership in Russia, he gave the estate to Prince Kantemir, which by this time was named Chornava Gryaz. It remained with the Kantemirs until the son of the prince sold it to Catherine the Great in 1775, and it is from here, that the estate started to take shape.

Catherine the Great had purchased the estate, which she renamed to Tsaritsino, to construct a palace that would become her residence. She immediately retained the well-known architect Vasily Bajenov to start construction in 1776. He began building two palaces on the estate and worked diligently on the project until 1785. Catherine, however, was less than impressed with the work that had been done and fired Bajenov. Matvey Kazakov was brought in to rebuild the vision Catherine had for her home, and his Neo-Classicist influence is what is seen today. He remained on the project until Catherine’s death in 1797, after which the estate fell into disrepair.

Fortunately, the importance of the estate was noted, and restoration work to the estate has preserved it to be marveled at today. The massive grand palace structure, although roofless, is an intimidating building. One can only imagine the greatness and superiority that this building would have commanded was it completed. Other buildings of significance on the estate include the Patterned Bridge, the Tsaritsino Ponds, the Bread Gate, the Bread House, the Octahedron, the Large Bridge, the Church of St. Nicholas, the Opera House, the Patterned Gate and the Third Kavalerskiy Building.

The grounds of the estate are magnificent, with landscaped gardens, dense forests and rolling, green fields. Amongst the natural beauty visitors will discover the Artificial Ruins, Nerastankino, the Temple of Ceres and the Belvedere Temple. Tsaritsino Estate is a tourist destination like to other. Its history is filled with joy, disappointment, grandeur and mystique. All the qualities that a forgotten palace should have and the peace and tranquility to keep the imagination running, while marveling at what could have been one of the most luxurious and magnificent palaces in the history of Russia.

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