Mikhailovka, manor

Categories / Architecture/Architectural Monuments/Manors and Summer Houses
MIKHAILOVKA (Mikhailovskoe), a manor (summer residence) on the Peterhof Road, situated east of Znamenka. In the early 18th century, A.S. Menshikov's summer residence Favorite was situated in this area, as were the residences of other nobles belonging to Peter the Great’s court. Subsequently, these have repeatedly changed hands. In 1834-36, three estates (Moncalme, Getmanskaya grange and Maloe Znamenskoe) were bought for government treasury and granted to Grand Prince Mikhail Nikolaevich (hence, the name of the manor). In 1858-61, architect G.A. Bosse erected a palace consisting of two buildings (Bolshoy and Maly palaces), joined together by passages and galleries. The architecture of the building, asymmetrical according to the project designs, is based on freely blending, as if amalgamating spaces, the facade and interior finishing reflect the owners' original taste, rejecting pomp and show in want of comfort. The building's northern facade overlooks the Gulf of Finland and the Lower Park. A broad parterre extends in front of the building's southern facade. The ensemble of Mikhailovka also includes the complex of greenhouses along with a gardener's house (1852-54, architect A.I. Stakensсhneider), Kavalersky and Konyushenny buildings (the 1850-60s, architects I.I. Charlemagne and G.A. Bosse) etc. The park of Mikhaylovka was established as a result of redesigning of three manor parks (architects A.I. Stackenschneider and A.I. Rezanov). In 1859-62, it was again redesigned by architect Bosse (200-year-old oaks being its best decoration). Up until 1917, Mikhaylovka belonged to the descendants of Grand Prince Mikhail Nikolaevich. In 1919-41, the manor housed the work farm school Krasnye Zori. During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45, both the palace and the park suffered severe damage. In the 1960s-90s, reconstruction work was conducted. Today, Mikhailovka houses a holiday hotel bearing the same name.

References: Андреева В. И. Дворцово-парковый ансамбль Михайловской дачи: К вопр. об истории создания // Памятники истории и культуры Санкт-Петербурга: Исслед. и материалы. СПб., 2000. Вып. 5. С. 126-142; Горбатенко С. Б. Петергофская дорога: Ист.-архит. путеводитель. СПб., 2002. С. 219-226; Иванова Т. К., Иващенова О. Г. История Михайловской дачи на Петергофской дороге. 2-е изд., испр. и доп. СПб.; Петергоф, 2003.

O. A. Chekanova. Bosse G.A. (see Bosse Yu.A.)
Charlemagne Iosif Iosifovich
Menshikov Alexander Sergeevich, Duke
Mikhail Nikolaevich, Grand Prince
Peter I, Emperor
Rezanov Alexander Ivanovich
Stakensсhneider Andrey Ivanovich
Горбатенко С. Б. Петергофская дорога: Ист.-архит. путеводитель. СПб., 2002
Андреева В. И. Дворцово-парковый ансамбль Михайловской дачи: К вопр. об истории создания // Памятники истории и культуры Санкт-Петербурга: Исслед. и материалы. СПб., 2000
Иванова Т.К., Иващенова О.Г. История Михайловской дачи на Петергофской дороге. 2-е изд., испр. и доп. СПб.; Петергоф, 2003 Krasnye Zori, the School-Colony