Oreanda palace. What to see in Oreanda
Oreanda is a small village 5 km from Yalta, right on the Yalta-Alupka highway. This place is great for a calm and undisturbed rest: it was not for nothing that it was once chosen by Russian emperors. Since the tsarist times, an amazing park has remained in Oreanda, where you can walk every day - and everything will be small. In addition, the town has two wonderful temples, and around, in the rocks, there are many interesting places for history and archeology lovers. If you add here also the wonderful views that open from the cliffs and the proximity to lively tourist centers, then it is easy to understand why Oreanda should be chosen from the whole variety of options for recreation on the southern coast of Crimea.
Oreanda has a nice pebble beach almost half a kilometer long. It is one of the best in this part of the peninsula, and therefore even the inhabitants of Crimea from neighboring cities come here.
Since the tsarist times, an amazing park has remained in Oreanda, where you can walk every day - and everything will be small.
A bit of history
The first mention of Oreanda in written sources occurs at the end of the 18th century. There is an assumption that the name of the village came from the Greek language (originally the town was called "Urgenda"). One way or another, in the 1820s. the land on which Oreanda was located was acquired from the Crimean Tatars by the Russian military commander F. Reveliotti, who almost immediately resold it to A. Kushelev-Bezborodko. Already from the latter, a year later, Emperor Alexander I bought Oreanda. It turns out that it was Oreanda that became the first imperial possession in the south of the peninsula.
Soon after the revolution, Oreanda turned out to be abandoned and forgotten, but in the middle of the 20th century it experienced a rebirth, when the Nizhnyaya Oreanda sanatorium was built here. The sanatorium, converted into a wellness center, is still functioning and occupies a rather prominent building. Then a second sanatorium, "Wisteria", appeared, and important figures began to come to the village to rest.
How to get there
Oreanda is located just 7 km from Yalta. By bus, taking into account what laps he writes on the road, you will get there in 40 minutes. And by car you will probably need a little more than a quarter of an hour.
Search for flights to Simferopol (the nearest airport to Oreanda)
Oreanda entertainment and attractions
After the acquisition of Oreanda by the royal family, Emperor Nicholas I presented it to his wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, for whom it was decided to build a palace here. The project was created in 1840 by the famous metropolitan architect Stackenschneider. First of all, they began to build a snow-white semi-rotunda, which can still be seen today on one of the rocky slopes above the village. The building is a stone arch on eight Doric columns 8 m high, which is clearly visible from the sea and beyond. This is a very recognizable symbol of Oreanda.
Unfortunately, nothing else from royal palace, which was nevertheless built, did not remain, except for the admiral's house and the order of the converted park.
The Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in Oreanda was built by order of the Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich, who himself chose a place for it, as well as the holiday in honor of which the temple was consecrated. This is a beautiful Russian-Byzantine building near the admiral's house, made of the same stone as the imperial palace. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the church was one of the most revered and most beautiful in this part of Crimea; John of Kronstadt himself served there. Today, it has been restored and tourists can admire a beautiful open gallery with slender columns and wonderful interior paintings.
One of Massandra's workshops is located in Oreanda: sherry is made in it.
Another remarkable temple of Oreanda is much younger: it was erected only in 2006. Nevertheless, built over the village, on one of the steep slopes near Ai-Nikola, the Church of St. Michael the Archangel rightfully occupies an honorable place among the local attractions. It is a very imposing and decorative five-domed structure with golden semi-circular domes. The temple has one feature: the surrounding mountains provide a unique acoustics. When a male choir sings in a church, the sound is amazing.
Natural beauty
The natural sights of Oreanda are also worth exploring. Everything starts right from the beach, from which you can see the Masttovaya rock split into two parts with a natural grotto below. There are versions according to which prehistoric people once lived in this grotto.
The second amazing attraction cannot be unequivocally called natural: after all, a man had a hand in its creation. This is a wonderful park in the place where the Nizhnyaya Oreanda sanatorium is now located. The territory of the park, which was once created for the imperial family, is more than 40 hectares. At one time Zhukovsky and Nekrasov, Tolstoy and Aivazovsky rested here. A gardener from Britain worked on the creation of the park, and therefore in pre-revolutionary times it was called English. The natural beauty of the rocky landscape has been carefully preserved and used to create a perfect harmony of the park with many nooks and crannies, flower beds and shady alleys. One of the most striking sights of the park is a century-old plane tree with a height of more than 30 m with an almost seven-meter trunk diameter.
The former imperial park (then - not yet "former") was visited even by Mark Twain.
The famous King's Trail leads to Oreanda, which runs from Livadia Park to Gaspra and passes at the very rotunda. Along this path, you can, after passing a sanatorium and a vineyard, walk to the Kurchatov path. Or to Livadia itself, if there is such a desire. Once upon a time, members of the royal family walked along this path, and it is not surprising: the path is surrounded by shady trees, along the sides, surrounded by rare species of flowering shrubs, benches are set, and wonderful views open from observation platforms.
Above the royal rotunda, you can see the steep slopes of the White-headed Rock and Mount Ai-Nikola. You can climb to the top of the latter along the walking path laid by the famous physicist Kurchatov during his vacation in Nizhnyaya Oreanda. The Kurchatov trail begins near the rotunda. At the top you can see an old iron cross, erected here by the Cossacks in the 17th century. There are also many interesting places around from an archaeological point of view: for example, two burial grounds with stone sarcophagi, the Oreand fortress on the Cross rock, or the remains of the ancient Khachla-Kayasy monastery on the same rock.
- Where to stay: Big Yalta is a treasure trove of resorts that have been loved since Soviet times: the resort of cozy Alupka and ancient Gurzuf, picturesque Koreiz and bohemian Livadia, charming Miskhor and pompous Foros, as well as the beautiful Yalta, sung by poets and artists, await vacationers. It makes sense for fans of silence to stay in chamber Gaspra, Katsiveli, Nikita or Polyana. The swallow's nest will enchant you with amazing views, Massandra - with its “fun component”, and Simeiz - with bizarre rocks. Something special can be found among others
The first royal on the South Coast
In 1825, Alexander I visited Oreanda. He liked this place so much for its pristine beauty and desolation that the emperor decided to come here on vacation and build a palace here for his wife Elizaveta Alekseevna. But, having caught a cold, Alexander I died unexpectedly, and in May 1826 Oreanda became the imperial estate of Nicholas I. The royal family first visited it in September 1837. By that time, there was already a park called the "Imperial Garden", greenhouses and a vineyard with a wine cellar. During this trip, the tsar presented Oreanda to his wife Alexandra Fedorovna. The royal family stayed with Count Vorontsov in Alupka, but the empress often traveled to Oreanda planning the construction of the palace. As a result, it was decided to build the palace in the style of Roman villas, and in 1842 construction began. The first building in the palace complex was a white stone semi-rotunda that crowned one of the cliffs of Oreanda. Eight seven-meter columns, carved from the best quality Kerch stone, adorned the rotunda. Visible from afar, it immediately became the main feature of the royal estate. For the construction of the palace itself, mainly local building material was used: Inkerman and Kerch stone, Miskhor and Oreand marble, some columns and fireplaces (by the way, there were more than 20 in the huge palace) were carved from Crimean red marble, the so-called Crimean porphyry. The main staircases and fireplaces in the rooms for the empress were made of white Carrara marble. From the road above the estate, this royal palace, the first on the South Bank, seemed like a magic castle - this is how contemporaries perceived it.In 1852 Nicholas I came to Lower Oreanda to receive the palace. This was his last visit here, in 1855 he died. Alexandra Fedorovna died in 1860, bequeathing the estate to her second son, Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich, who owned it for more than 30 years. He often came to Oreanda, called it an earthly paradise, and after retiring in 1881, he lived here almost constantly. On the night of August 7-8, 1881, a fire destroyed the beautiful palace. According to one of the versions, the fire broke out "because of the careless handling of cigarettes by the children of courtyard employees." There was a hurricane wind that day, and the flames quickly engulfed the entire building - only the stone frame survived. The restoration of the palace required a large sum, which the Grand Duke did not have: “From Mother I received a beautiful palace, it is no longer there, I will never be able to restore it. Let the temple of God be built from its remnants. "
Noble simplicity
From the stones left after the fire, the Grand Duke decided to build a temple of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in Oreanda. The prince was well versed in architecture and planned to build a temple in the Georgian-Byzantine style, which, in his opinion, was best suited to the harsh, rocky terrain of Oreanda. Initially, the temple was supposed to be erected on a picturesque rock - it would rise above all of Oreanda and would be visible from all sides. But this thought had to be abandoned: located so high, the temple would be difficult to access, besides, there was a wine cellar and a distillery nearby, and it was indecent to build a temple next to such institutions. Therefore, the Grand Duke decided to build a temple not far from his Admiral's house. The temple turned out to be small, cruciform, with one dome. It had a wonderful view of the sea.
Mighty century-old oaks grew around, on the largest of them an original bell tower was made. A platform of two planks was arranged on this peculiar belfry, a wooden staircase with railings led to it. There were five bells, the largest weighed 160 kg, the smallest - 3 kg.
The solemn consecration of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos took place in 1885. The temple was notable for its rich decoration. The window frames in the drum and the large crosses that adorn the outer walls were made of white Carrara marble. The carved iconostasis is made of walnut, oak, cypress and juniper. Part of the temple was painted by famous Russian artists, part is decorated with mosaic images created by the famous Italian master Antonio Salviati (some of these mosaics have survived to this day). The main advantage of the church, according to the Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich, was its "graceful and noble simplicity [...] the agreement and nobility of all lines."
The foundation of the temple. April 1885 Photo by F.P. Orlova
The construction of the walls of the temple. April 1885 Photo by F.P. Orlova
Erection of arches and vaults of the temple. June 1885 Photo by F.P. Orlova
Exaltation of the cross on the dome of the temple. 19 August 1885 Photo by F.P. Orlova
Church of the Intercession in Oreanda. 1886 g.
After the revolution, the temple went through many difficult days, it suffered from
In 1852 the construction of the palace was completed. It cost half a million rubles and became one of the best creations of A.I. Stakenshneider. From the road above the estate, it seemed like a "magic castle", as contemporaries perceived it. Indeed, against the background of harsh rocks and dark vegetation, it looked light and airy thanks to the whiteness of the Inkerman stone, open galleries and balconies, and the picturesque end of the roof. Aged in the style of the Italian Renaissance, it was distinguished by the severity of proportions, a clear rhythm of columns, pilasters, window openings, and floor divisions. Porticos decorated with caryatids, a large number of acroterias, decorative vases, magnificent capitals of the Corinthian order and cornices of "the best finishing with molded decorations" gave the palace elegance and festivity. All this ended with a solemn sound of white marble staircases leading to the facades of the palace. Each palace has always had its own special artistically designed interiors, which constituted the "landmark of the building". So in Oreanda, the courtyard became the center and compositional planning and artistic and decorative. Judging by the descriptions preserved in archival documents, it was brilliantly resolved in color: its walls and ceiling were "painted in the style of Pompey." One can imagine how 12 columns of reddish Crimean marble were in harmony with this beautiful painting. In the middle was a fountain with a pool and a vase of dark gray Oreanda marble on a pedestal of the same but yellow marble. The floor was paved with white and gray slabs of Italian marble, and 4 dark marble paths led to the fountain. The so-called vine garden, which adjoined the eastern facade of the palace and the pergola, was originally designed. It was all decorated with marble: a fountain made of white Carrara marble with a pool and bowls in the style of the Bakhchisarai fountain (one of the earliest replicas of this fountain on the South Bank) was installed in the wall. The pillars that surrounded this garden were carved from Oreandian light marble, while five polished vases, two round tables and a double bench were all white.
The ceremonial halls of the first floor were superbly decorated: the large hall (in old documents it is called the Hall) was decorated in the style of Louis XVI (classicism). Coffered ceiling with gilding, two fireplaces of red Crimean marble, strict solution of the walls. Later, for this hall, the St. Petersburg furniture manufacturer A. Vasmut, who produced furniture for the Orenada Palace, will be ordered 50 pieces of furniture, also in the style of Louis XVI. In contrast to this austere room, the boudoir was decorated in a light, playful Pampadour (rococo) style. Here the fireplace was carved in white Carrara marble. The walls, covered with white silk staple fabric, were set off with a gilded baguette. Other large rooms on the ground floor - the front, the study, the living room, the dining room, the bedroom were also distinguished by their beautiful decorative design: there were fireplaces of white Italian and red Crimean marble, walnut panels, Swedish marble stoves, gilding in decoration, oak wood flooring , walnut, maple, door handles - "gilded bronze with crystal colored balls" and other decorative elements.
In addition to the main ceremonial rooms, on the first floor there were also two Camerojungfer rooms, 3 rooms for a suite, an attendant, a footman's room, and a room for servants. On the second floor there were two offices, a living room, 15 small rooms, two valets, bathrooms; on the mezzanine - Her Majesty's wardrobe and the "room for the room girls".
8 large and 12 medium-sized fireplaces made of white Carrara marble and "Crimean porphyry" were installed in the rooms of the palace, the floors of balconies and galleries were lined with colored slabs.
It was the first royal palace on the South Bank. Both in its beautiful architectural forms and in the magnificently executed decorative design of the interiors, it really was royal - everything was at the highest artistic level. In one of the guidebooks of the 1870s. one could read: "While examining the palace, pay attention - to the courtyard and pavilion in Pompeian taste with excellent columns of Crimean marble, to the beautiful caryatids supporting balconies facing the sea, to the marble staircase leading to the second floor ... In Oreanda everything deserves attention and detailed review. "
RGIA holds a number of projects for Oreanda, which can be used to learn about some of the buildings on the estate. Almost all projects are copies of Stackenschneider's drawings; the signatures of Eshliman and the "architectural assistant" Vert confirm their fidelity to the originals. Looking at these drawings, you are convinced that in Oreanda there was no big economic activity. All buildings were designed only to provide for the daily maintenance of the estate in due order.
In September 1850, the palace, where the last finishing work was going on, was visited by the heir to the throne, Alexander Nikolaevich. His Imperial Highness went down past the greenhouse along the newly constructed road to the palace buildings, where he first examined the plans approved by the Highest, then deigned to inspect the upper and mezzanine floors of the palace, the kitchen with an underground passage and the construction of a stable with an outbuilding that had begun. Moreover, the Grand Duke Tsarevich drew attention to the difficulty of the work and to the painful faces of most of the workers who were assembled at the buildings.
From the palace buildings, His Imperial Highness deigned to drive past the cascade to the imperial house, and from there through the menagerie and the estate of Count Pototsky Livadia to Yalta, declaring his pleasure to the chief caretaker of the Oreanda estate for the order and cleanliness with which the garden and roads in Oreanda are kept. "
In the Yalta District there are several small urban-type settlements with an interesting history and amazing sights. One of these villages is Oreanda, located just west of the Yalta center and Livadia.
It is believed that the name of the village comes from the word "Rocky", in fact, the village is surrounded by rocky formations on almost three sides.
All car travelers following the route pass through this village Yalta-Alupka, because he stands directly on the track. Tourists walking along the Tsar's (Solar) path from Livadia to Gaspra will also be able to see Oreanda from a bird's eye view.
Geographically, the village is divided into Upper and Lower Oreanda. Its main part with all the tourist and sanatorium infrastructure and attractions is located in the lower region.
During the entire existence of this resort village, it was visited by many famous figures of culture, literature, art, politics and others. In its alleys one could meet L. Tolstoy, A. Chekhova and M. Twen, I. Kozlovsky and L. Zykin, I. Pyreva and E. Evtushenko, R. Plyatt and L. Landau, A. Tupolev and M. Pugovkin. And the list goes on and on ...
The history of the village
Oreanda is one of the oldest Crimean settlements, where the Goths and Alans, Taurus and Greeks once lived. The first religion of the settlement was christianity. In the 14th century by agreement between the Genoese Republic and the Crimean Tatar Khan - Oreanda became a Genoese village. In the 15th century, after the defeat of the Genoese, like the entire Crimean coast, it became part of the victorious Ottoman Empire.
Settlement in the Ottoman period did not develop much, and Islam as the dominant religion did not take root here. Until the first half 19th century Oreanda (then called Urgenda) stood half empty, and then was privatized by the famous count Pototsky, who created the famous palace ensemble in Livadia even before the appearance of the royal estates here.
Soon the Oreando lands were transferred to the imperial family. It happened like this. I liked these places very much in 1825 Alexander the First, who visited Count Vorontsov. And the emperor wanted to build a summer residence here for his often ill wife and for his planned vacation after leaving power. Pototsky, naturally, concedes land to the emperor. However, Alexander the First dies suddenly in Taganrog and the land of Oreanda goes to his heir - Nicholas the First.
Nikolai during his first visit to Oreanda in 1837 year presents these lands to his wife Alexandra Feodorovna. At the same time, work begins on the formation park areaand small summer houses are being built for the imperial family. At the beginning of the 40s, the construction of the very first summer Imperial Palace on the Crimean peninsula (architect. A. Stackenschneider).
Nicholas the First accepted the finished palace in 1852... However, his family was not destined to rest here, for the emperor soon dies, and a few years later his wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, also dies. According to the will, the estate in Oreanda with a beautiful palace went to their son - the Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich, who fell in love with him and spent a lot of time here for more than 30 years.
At the beginning of August 1881 year a terrible tragedy for Constantine happened. The beautiful palace, lovingly erected during the life of his mother, burned down. The prince did not have funds for his restoration, and he continued to live in Oreanda in a small house, which was called Admiral.
In memory of the deceased palace, Konstantin Nikolaevich decides to build on the estate temple, for which he himself chooses a place and a name, dedicating it to his favorite autumn Orthodox holiday of the Intercession.
Church of the Intercession, built at the end of the 19th century under Konstantin Nikolaevich
After his retirement, the Grand Duke almost constantly lives in his Oreandovsky estate. A lover and connoisseur of beauty, he makes a close acquaintance with I. Aivazovsky, who live in Feodosia, are busy with the park, taking care of the safety of rare plant species. The Grand Duke was also engaged in viticulture, growing the most delicate grape varieties here.
The great artist Aivazovsky often came to see the prince, and there was a gazebo in the park where he liked to work in solitude, which was called - aivazovsky's pavilion.
After the death of Constantine in the early 90s. 19th century, his son happened to own the estate Dmitry Konstantinovich, but not for long. For Alexander the Third, who already has a summer palace in Livadia, bought Oreanda from Dmitry for his son - the future Nicholas II... During this period, in the village itself, there were only a little more than a dozen household farms and less than a hundred residents.
Early 20th century was marked by the construction of hotels and the development of the resort business. Here appears one of the best hotels in the Crimean south - Hotel "Oreanda"... After the revolution and Civil War in addition to hotels, sanatorium buildings and boarding houses are being built. Holidays in Oreanda have always been considered quite elite, and here you could meet famous diplomats, politicians and cultural figures.
It was for the domestic elite that a wonderful sanatorium was built after the war. "Lower Oreanda" (architect M. Ginzburg).
Sanatorium "Nizhnyaya Oreanda" grew on the site of the former imperial palace "
It was decided to erect the main building of the new health resort on the site of the ruins of the burnt down imperial palace in a modern constructivist style. Subsequently, more and more sanatorium buildings appear. It had beautiful suites, the best doctors and the latest medical equipment.
And today, rest in Oreanda is quite calm and not fussy, but very pleasant and very beneficial to health. Beaches here are comfortable and comfortable. The infrastructure is quite developed, and in any case, Yalta is very close - only some five kilometers away.
Since tsarist times, there has been wine shop, now belonging to PJSC "Massandra". Today Oreanda is both a resort village with a population of about a thousand people and a historical landmark of the South Coast.
Oreanda landmarks
Palace park
As already mentioned, the royal estate of Oreanda was acquired with the aim of conducting summer health and wellness holidays here for members of the royal family since the time Alexander the First... Initially, before the construction of the royal palace, summer houseand for the residence of the imperial family, one of which had a high guest tower. From this tower amazing views of the Yalta surroundings opened.
Already at the first stage of development of the estate, priority was given to the creation park area... The estate manager A. Asher has done a lot in this respect. From the Riga Botanical Garden, seedlings of various species of trees, shrubs and flower seedlings were ordered. Among the acquired and planted plants at the end of the 30s were species magnolias, and numerous flowers: from dahlias, anemones, camellias and purslane to pelargoniums and violets.
The formation of the palace park was carried out by a gardener V.Rossom in the tradition of the English garden using the local rocky landscape. This made it possible to create surprisingly picturesque corners filled with romantic mood. The park area was officially called " Imperial garden at the Oreanda estate. "
The entire garden and park layout was drawn up taking into account the planned palace structure, so that the park would surround the palace from all sides. In total, more than a thousand different subtropical trees and more than five thousand shrubs were planted in the park.
Plants growing here earlier in the form of a very natural fit into the park ensemble fig, strawberry, turpentine, iron and other trees. Bordered by bright and colorful flower beds, the old giants looked majestic and monumental.
From the initial period of the formation of the Oreandovsky Park to our time, one sycamore, whose age has passed the second hundred years.
The bicentennial plane tree is a relic attraction
The diameter of its trunk tends up to 7 metersand the height is over 30 meters. Its magnificent, sweeping crown forms a green tent. This plane tree is a local landmark, because under its crown both the last Russian emperor and many famous people, such as, Chekhov, Bunin, Aivazovsky other.
When creating the palace park, all existing natural objects were transformed into objects of landscape decoration. So the swampy lowland, located at the foot of the rock with a half-rotunda, was transformed into a beautiful "Swan Lake", which Oreanda vacationers seek to see today.
To organize the lake was dug pond, the banks are decorated with large stones, and tulip trees and bamboo are planted around. The result is a magnificent picturesque corner of nature, which is very adorned by the white swans that have settled here.
"Swan Lake" on the territory of the palace park
Under Konstantin Nikolaevich, who had the rank of vice admiral and was very fond of the marine theme, the so-called "Map of the seas", consisting of several reservoirs, repeating the silhouettes of the southern seas of Russia. Evergreen shrubs were planted around the stylized seas, the shearing of which gave them the shape of the Caucasus and Crimean mountains.
To give rockssurrounding the estate, a livelier look, they were also decorated. One of them was decorated Rotunda with white columns, which added a certain zest to the overall composition. On Krestovaya Hill, Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Nicholas I, was installed a wooden cross, later replaced by a decorative one.
The main part of the estate, along with a park, vineyards, orchard and flower beds, was surrounded by local deciduous and pine forests, which gave a sense of privacy and mystery.
In the Soviet years, in connection with the development of sanatorium and resort construction here, the park area received even greater development. However, it is in the department of the sanatorium and it is impossible for mere mortals to get there.
The only thing left to do is admire the park area with observation deck semi-rotunda.
The first Crimean palace (lost)
Naturally, the royal family initially wanted to have their own summer palace in such a picturesque place as Oreanda, the project of which was carried out by the famous St. Petersburg architect A. Stackenschneider, and the construction itself was supervised by Count Vorontsov, the local governor-general. It was by his order that the first building of the palace complex became Semi-rotunda, made of white Kerch stone on one of the cliffs of Oreanda. This beautiful eight-column structure became the main landmark of the new royal estate.
The palace was created from the Crimean building materials - stone was supplied from Inkerman and Kerch, brick - from Feodosia, marble of different shades was of local Oreand and Miskhor origin. The best marble was brought from the Alpine Carrara only for the production of grand staircases and fireplaces.
The construction of the palace went on from 1843 to 1852 and became the best creation of Stackenschneider. The white and light palace with air galleries and balconies, built according to all the rules of the Italian Renaissance, looked like a fairytale castle against the background of dark rocks. Numerous rhythmic columns, porticoes with caryatids, pilasters, decorative vases, lush capitals and cornices - all elegant decor created an atmosphere of celebration and joyful mood.
There was also a traditional patio in Pompeian style with 12 columns, with a central pool, fountain and marble vase. On the east side of the palace was vine garden, also decorated with marble structures. There were columns, vases, and benches made of marble. One of the walls was decorated with a replica Bakhchisarai fountain.
The halls of the palace were also magnificent, the styles of their execution speak eloquently about their luxurious design. The large ceremonial hall is made in louis 16 style (classic), and the furniture set for the hall on special order was made in the same way. Boudoir is style of the Marquise Pampadour (rococo), etc.
Everywhere was marble, colored ceramic tile, various types of wood, gilding, crystal, silk upholstery, fireplaces (20 in total) and more. This very first imperial Crimean palace was truly magnificent.
Around the palace itself in the park area appeared greenhouses and outbuildings, including stables, wine cellars, etc.
Unfortunately, all this splendor was lost in the fire of the fire of 1881. From what survived, the owner of the estate Konstantin Nikolaevich the Intercession Church is under construction.
Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God
What you must see in Nizhnyaya Oreanda is the Intercession Church, built in 1885 (architect A. Avdeev). The church of the Georgian-Byzantine style appeared here thanks to the instructions of Konstantin Nikolaevich, the Grand Duke and the then owner of the local estate.
By the way, on his own order, monthly photo reports were made on the construction from May to September 1885, which greatly helped in the subsequent restoration of the temple. A temple was erected from the stone that remained after the fire from the beautiful Oreandovsky Palace. The church turned out to be small, one-domed and cruciform. The domed drum, equipped with narrow arched windows with yellow glass, was crowned with a gilded bronze openwork cross.
The three sides of the temple were decorated with arched galleries... Since the church was erected on the territory of an oak grove, in order to preserve all the trees, the altar of the temple was slightly turned to the southeast. It is interesting that one of the oak trees subsequently served as bell towers... 5 bells of various weights were fixed on it. The sound of these bells from the oak belfry was heard by the last two emperors of the Romanov dynasty.
The Church of the Intercession at the end of the 19th century was considered one of the the most beautiful on the southern Crimean coast. It was especially beautiful interior designconsisting of mosaic paintings made by an Italian master A. Salviati... The walls were also decorated with large white marble crosses made in Livorno. From a combination of four types of wood, a beautiful carved iconostasis (author Kubyshko).
In this temple several times held divine services John of Kronstadtwho communed here princess Elizabeth Feodorovna, whose monument can be seen today near the temple. In general, the walls of this church remember all the members of the royal family who, since Alexander the Third, attended local services and just came here to pray.
The temple is also mentioned on the pages of the famous story by A. Chekhov "Lady with a dog", whose heroes came to Oreanda and sat on a bench near the Temple of the Intercession.
On
these
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Chekhov's benches "were sitting in love heroes from" The Lady with the Dog "
After the establishment of Soviet power, the temple was closed, and later was subject to destruction. But it was simply turned into a mechanical workshop, and partly into a warehouse. As a result of the barbaric attitude towards works of art mosaic canvases temples for the most part died. Ten icons, including the Mother of God of the Intercession, were on the verge of extinction. The iconostasis was also practically lost.
In the 50sDuring the construction of the Nizhnyaya Oreanda Sanatorium, the fate of the Church of the Intercession again "hung in the balance". Doesn't fit in with modern architectural complex, the temple had to disappear. He was rescued by local ethnographers, who obtained a letter of protection on the recognition of the church as an architectural monument. Then a warehouse of pesticides was placed here, and the churchyard was transformed into a motor depot.
At the beginning 90s the temple was returned to the believers. Divine services and restoration work began. Modern restorers have been able to recreate some of the mosaic canvases and the unique dome painting depicting the beardless Christ.
And at the beginning of the 21st century, a real Bell tower, A 600-kilogram bell for which was cast in Donetsk using a unique technology.
Admiral's house
As already mentioned, before the construction of the magnificent royal summer palace in Oreanda, several buildings were erected to accommodate members of the imperial family, among which was the imperial house, where in 1825 he stayed Alexander the First.
Subsequently, the estate received the status of a grand ducal, becoming the property of one of the sons of Nicholas I - Constantine. After the assassination of Alexander II in 1881, Constantine retired from political affairs and decided to settle in his Crimean estate.
However, in the same summer, another sad event takes place - a magnificent palace ensemble burns down. Nevertheless, Konstantin Nikolaevich decides to stay in Oreanda. He moved to the "imperial" house, renaming it "admiral", according to his rank. In this house the Grand Duke will live before 1889when paralysis breaks down. After which he will be transported to his Pavlovsk estate, where he will die.
Admiral's house built with elements tatar folk motives. These are lancet windows and a wooden gallery decorated with carvings. The house is covered with tiles. The house has only two large rooms, one of which was occupied by the Grand Duke (to the left of the vestibule), the second was occupied by the adjutant. Several servants lived in the back small rooms.
Hotel "Oreanda"
At the beginning of the 20th century, as already mentioned, the village of Oreanda began to actively develop as a resort, because its climate was similar to that of Yalta, the beauty of nature too. However, it was more relaxed and romantic here. First of all, luxury hotels for holidaymakers are being built. One of the most famous and best first-class hotels is the Oreanda Hotel, built in 1907... It was owned by a retired general, professor of military history, writer, etc. Alexander Vitmer.
Hotel "Oreanda", built in 1907, is still functioning
This hotel has been recognized the best on the entire Crimean coast. Located in a park area near the sea coastline, it was impeccably decorated and from the inside - luxury furniture, mirrors, elegant decorplus cleanliness and comfort. There was even a art salon, in which one could see the canvases of Aivazovsky, Shishkin, Vereshchagin and other venerable artists.
During the revolutionary events and the ensuing Civil War, the hotel building served as a defensive fortification, which caused numerous damage to it. After the revolution, "Oreanda" was used as a closed-type health resort for cEC members and for the employees of the NKVD. During the Great Patriotic War, the hotel becomes a military hospital, and after the war it again turns into a sanatorium.
One of the architectural fragments of the hotel "Oreanda"
Remembering the cult Soviet film "Assa"
Walking along Livadia, I went out on the Tsar's path and, without even knowing it, repeated the path of Niki and Alex back in 1894, when they went to mass in the temple in Lower Oreanda. Love of the last Russian emperor. Then, as emperor and empress, they often walked here.
The only difference is that in 1894 they purposefully walked to the church, and I walked past Lower Oreanda, but when I saw the temple, I turned back and then along the back streets, then along the road, then along the camouflaged stairs, I reached the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos.Although the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos was built only in 1885, it has an interesting background.
The policy of the Russian emperors in relation to the Christians of the Crimea was incomprehensible. The Greeks, who from time immemorial lived in the Crimea and survived many conquerors, together with other Christians were taken out of the Crimea in 1778 and settled in the Azov region. Along with the Greeks, Armenians, Georgians, Bulgarians and Vlachs were among the migrants. A total of 31,386 Christians were deported. While in Rhodes, I met one such long-standing descendant of these Greeks, who lived in Mariupol.
When Crimea was annexed to Russia in 1783, the Greeks were not returned from the Azov region. At the same time, the Russian government was interested in the complete settlement and economic development of new territories. Instead of Christians who previously lived in Crimea, they began to encourage and call for the resettlement of Greeks from mainland Greece and the islands of the Archipelago. And not only the Greeks who were Orthodox, but even Catholics and Protestants from various European countries. Until now, there are Protestant and Catholic churches in the Crimea.
From the resettled Greeks in 1789, the Balaklava infantry battalion was formed, which guarded the coast from Sevastopol to Feodosia. In 1809-1831, its commander was Feodosiy Dmitrievich Reveliotis, a leader of the Greek national liberation movement against the Turkish yoke, who became a general in the Russian army. The regiment guarded the southern coast of Crimea. The enterprising Greek, apparently a descendant of the cunning Odysseus, bought up a lot of land in the region of Mukhalatka, Kukuk-Koy, Kekeneiz, Simeiz, Alupka, Oreanda, Livadia. F. D. Reveliotis began to sell his land only when, in connection with the upcoming construction of the Simferopol - Yalta - Sevastopol road, their prices rose sharply.
Representatives of the noble elite of the Russian Empire began to take an interest in the lands of the southern coast of Crimea. Nizhnaya Oreanda was bought from Reveliotis on October 29, 1823 by Count Alexander Grigorievich Kushelev-Bezborodko (1800 - 1855).
In October 1825, at the invitation of the Novorossiysk Governor-General, Count M.S. Vorontsov, the Emperor Alexander the First visited Vorontsov's estate in Alupka. During this visit, the Russian autocrat visited Oreanda and even spent the night there in a Tatar house. The emperor inclined to mysticism wanted to build a retreat house in these wild and picturesque places. Count Kushelev-Bezborodko promised to give Oreanda to Emperor Alexander the First. But the documentary deal had to be drawn up already by Nicholas I because of the death of his brother Alexander. This event happened on April 26, 1826. This is how the first imperial estate appeared on the southern coast of Crimea, only it did not interest Nicholas the First, for 10 years the emperor did not visit there, the supervision of Oreanda was carried out by Count M.S. Vorontsov. But when Nicholas the First decided to donate the estate to his wife, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, he arrived in Nizhnyaya Oreanda with his family and numerous retinue in 1837.In the center is a crowned couple: Alexandra Feodorovna (1798-1860) and Nikolai the First (1796-1855). Children frame the photograph of their parents: Alexander (1818-1881), Maria (1819-1876), Olga (1822-1892), Alexandra (1825-1844), Constantine (1827-1892), Nikolai (1831-1891), Mikhail (1832 -1909).
Alexandra Feodorovna (née Princess Frederica Louise Charlotte Wilhelmina of Prussia) was the daughter of the Prussian king Frederick Wilhelm III. Therefore, she treated the gift responsibly, deciding to build a palace for living. She commissioned the project of the palace to Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781 - 1841), a German architect who built many beautiful buildings in Prussia. I liked the project very much, but after calculating the estimated construction costs, we politely said goodbye to it, generously giving it goodbye. Without putting things on the back burner, the project was commissioned to another architect, this time from St. Petersburg, Andrei Ivanovich Shtakenshneider (1802 - 1865). This project was approved by Nicholas II in 1842 and construction began, which lasted for 10 years. The supervising architects were Ludwig Valentinovich Cambiagio (1810-1870) and we already know Karl Ivanovich Ashliman (1808-1893). And the stone works were in charge of the Englishman William Gunt, who had previously participated in the construction of the Vorontsov Palace in Alupka.
In 1852, the royal family visited Oreanda, where a handsome palace towered.
This was the last visit to the estate for Nicholas I and Alexandra Feodorovna. Before her death, the Dowager Empress bequeathed the estate not to her eldest son, Emperor Alexander II, but to her second son, Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich. In Oreanda, the Grand Duke rarely visited, but was proud of his estate. When he traveled incognito, hiding his belonging to the imperial family, he introduced himself as Konstantin Nikolaevich von Oreandsky, a Crimean landowner.But his family regularly visited the Crimean estate, the wife of Konstantin Nikolaevich, the Grand Duchess Alexandra Iosifovna, nee Alexandra Saxe-Altenburgskaya (1830-1911), often rested here, with children, of whom they had six: four boys and two girls, one of the girls Olga Konstantinovna will become the Greek queen. The age difference between the oldest and the youngest child was 12 years.
Together with the family of Konstantin Nikolaevich, his younger brothers, the Grand Dukes Nikolai Nikolaevich and Mikhail Nikolaevich, came to rest.Interestingly, those who wanted to enter the estate. So in 1867 the famous American writer Mark Twain (1835-1910) visited here. In his book "Simpletons Abroad" he admires the estate: "It's charming here. The beautiful palace is surrounded on all sides by the mighty trees of the old park, stretching among the picturesque cliffs and hills ... The palace was built in the style of the best examples of Greek architecture, a magnificent colonnade covers the courtyard , surrounded by rare fragrant flowers, and in the middle of a fountain - it refreshes the hot summer air. "
When the fire started on August 7, 1881, the Grand Duke was on the estate. The fire continued at night and the next morning. Most of the furniture was saved, including the prince's favorite piano. It was decided not to restore the palace, part of the ruins were dismantled and one might think that these are ancient ruins preserved from the ancient Greeks.
In a new place. in the oaks, the prince decided to build a temple in memory of his mother. He described the chosen style as Georgian-Byzantine, and ordered the project to Alexei Andreevich Avdeev (1819–1885), who implemented many projects in southern Russia, including the Crimea. One of the most famous projects is the Vladimir Cathedral in Sevastopol. After the death of Avdeev, the former vice-president of the Imperial Academy of Arts, a connoisseur of Byzantine art and church painting, Prince Grigory Grigorievich Gagarin (1810–1893) corrected and finally completed the project of the temple for Oreanda.
At first, Konstantin Nikolaevich wanted to consecrate the temple in honor of the Most Holy Trinity, but then changed his mind and the temple is dedicated to the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos.
By order of Konstantin Nikolaevich, starting from May 2, 1885, Yalta photographer Fyodor Pavlovich Orlov periodically took photographs of the construction site. F.P. Orlov (1844 - died after 1906), merchant of the II guild. He was seriously fond of photography, often fulfilling orders from the royal family to create albums with views of the Crimea. Thanks to him, we can see how the temple was built.
Collage "Construction of a temple in Nizhnyaya Oreanda" (Photos by FP Orlov) In the center: the built temple (1886) Along the edges of the stages of construction: 1). April 1885. The foundation of the temple; 2). April 1885 Construction of the walls of the temple; 3). June 1885 Construction of arches and vaults of the temple; 4). August 19, 1885 Exaltation of the cross on the dome of the temple; 5). September 1885. External decoration of the dome of the temple.
Now there is a belfry near the temple, which appeared in 2001,
and when the temple was built, five bells were located on an oak tree that has survived to this day. Part of its crown can be seen in the photo on the left.The mosaic in the temple was made by the Venetian Antonio Salviati (1816 - 1890).
True, part of it was destroyed in Soviet times. Mosaic icons of his work are not only inside, but also outside. The image of the Savior is installed above the central western doors, under the ridge of the roof there is a half-length image of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos.The altar of the church is very beautiful,
and behind it is the multi-figured composition "The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos", which has been preserved since 1886.You can take pictures in the temple, especially if you make a small donation. The temple resembles a cross inscribed in a rectangle.
After the death of Konstantin Nikolaevich, the temple was maintained by his sons - Grand Dukes Konstantin Konstantinovich (1858 -1915), general, president of the Russian Academy of Sciences and poet, known under the pseudonym K.R., and Dmitry Konstantinovich (1860 -1919), commander
life Guards Horse Grenadier Regiment.
On the side of the church there is a bust of John of Kronstadt.
It was installed in honor of the fact that in the fall of 1894 in the Church of the Intercession the holy righteous John of Kronstadt served several times, who came to the terminally ill Emperor Alexander III.In 1924 the temple was closed, in 1926 it was transferred to a sanatorium and excursions began to be organized in the temple. In 1927, after the Crimean earthquake, cracks appeared in the walls of the building and they wanted to demolish it, but something did not work out. Until the end of World War II, the temple was closed, then workshops appeared in it, which were replaced by warehouses. In the churchyard there is a motor depot, which still exists, only the car depot and the temple were fenced off from each other with an iron fence. In the sixties of the last century, they again wanted to demolish the temple, and again this cup passed. In 1992, the church was handed over to believers,
archpriest Nikolai Donenko was appointed rector of the church.A.P. Chekhov liked to visit here. The heroes of his story "The Lady with the Dog" Dr. Gurov and Anna Sergeevna "In Oreanda they sat on a bench, not far from the church, looked down at the sea and were silent. Yalta was barely visible through the morning fog, white clouds stood motionless on the tops of the mountains. The foliage did not move. in the trees, cicadas shouted, and the monotonous, dull sound of the sea, coming from below, spoke of peace, of the eternal sleep that awaits us. So it rustled below, when there was no Yalta or Oreanda, now it is and will be making noise the same indifferently and deafly when we are gone. And in this constancy, in complete indifference to the life and death of each of us, there is perhaps a guarantee of our eternal salvation, the continuous movement of life on earth, continuous perfection. "
I also visited the place where the heroes of the story were sitting. Met a couple from our time, sitting on benches, looking at the sea and drinking cognac. Therefore, we had to refuse to photograph the benches, so as not to embarrass the resting couple. But I photographed the view from Oreanda.
❤ started selling air tickets! 🤷
