Little-known palaces of Crimea: Architectural monuments, which are closed for tourists

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

An invaluable cultural heritage has been collected in the Crimean expanses, which includes numerous palaces, dachas and estates built by the order of the Russian aristocracy by outstanding architects of the 19th century. The first thing that, perhaps, comes to mind for experienced tourists, is the famous trinity, which the guides invite - Livadia, Vorontsov and Massandra palaces. But few people know that on the territory of Crimea there are several dozen palaces, no less majestic and luxurious. What are these palaces, where are they located and why tourists are not allowed there - in this review.

Yusupov Palace

Located in Koreiz. Rebuilt from the "Pink House" of Princess Golitsyna by the architect Nikolai Krasnov during the life of Yusupov Felix Feliksovich Sr. (not the one who killed Rasputin, but his father) in 1909. Although “rebuilt” is said too loudly: nothing remained of the princess's dacha, erected in the 19th century. The palace resembles a bastion in its appearance - it is so monumental, weighty and solid.

On the territory of the castle, there is a luxurious garden and park ensemble, a characteristic feature of which is an abundance of sculptures in the form of lions. In 1919, after the Yusupov family had successfully emigrated, the palace was nationalized. The walls were built of heavy gray marble-like limestone, the openings were decorated with quadra-polygonal "Roman" masonry with toothed platbands.

A special attitude towards him was formed at the top of the Soviet nomenklatura. It is enough just to mention that it was here during the Yalta conference that Stalin and Molotov lived in order to understand which of the Crimean palaces was most loved by the leaders of Soviet Russia (as opposed to Livadia, which was loved by the family of the last emperor). Now it is under the jurisdiction of the Administrative Department of the President of the Russian Federation, but it is not closed for tourists as part of organized excursions.

Dulber Palace

An oriental pearl on the shores of the Crimea - this is how you can characterize the palace that once belonged to the Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich (great-uncle of Nicholas II). It was erected by the same Krasnov in the same Koreiz in 1895-1897, but according to the project of the customer himself. The architect was faced with a difficult task - to implement the prince's idea on a site with a difficult terrain and increased seismic hazard. But as we can see, he did it perfectly, since we have the opportunity to contemplate the magnificence of Dyulber today.

It was built in the Moorish style, while its architecture is quite ascetic and simple. If it were not for the silvery domes and crenellated high walls, it could have been considered rustic at all from the point of view of the palace. However, another of its distinctive features was the ornamentation represented by arabesques, moresques, girih mosaics and zullaijs, like those that adorn the palaces of Morocco.

It is reliably known that the Grand Duke did not have enough funds for its construction, which caused various difficulties: from workers' discontent to the need to sell other estates in the Crimea. But in the end, Dyulber literally saved the lives of the representatives of the Romanovs, turning into a fortress during the Revolution. The Yalta workers were never able to take the impregnable walls of the palace by storm.

After nationalization, the Soviet government turned it into a sanatorium. Nowadays, it performs the same function, so there are no mass excursions on its territory. You can get into it only by prior agreement with the administration of the sanatorium as part of an organized excursion group.

Dacha Kichkine

This tiny estate ("kichkine" in translation from Tatar - "baby") was bought by another representative of the imperial family - Grand Duke Dmitry Konstantinovich. The land here was wild and undeveloped (the site was located on the edge of a rocky cliff), so the Tarasov brothers' firm faced a difficult task.

It was they who in 1912 were entrusted with the construction of a summer house on the territory of modern Miskhor. Made in an oriental style, it resembles an Assyrian fortress. But unlike Dyulber, the architect Shapovalov (namely, he was engaged in decorating the building) completely abandoned the colored elements.

That is why the rich relief reveals itself in its splendor only when viewed from a close distance, which emphasizes the aristocratic and restrained taste of the owner of the palace. Incredibly, a marble staircase was cut into the rock even then (more than 100 years ago!) Leading to the private beach of the owners of Kichkine.

During the Second World War, this estate was chosen by Field Marshal Mantstein. Hitler allegedly gave him a palace, but not for long … History made its own adjustments. At the moment, the palace is a private property, and a 4-star hotel was opened in it.

Dilkiso Palace

The colonization of the Russian Empire in Central Asia bore fruit. One of them can be considered the appointment of a person close to the Russian Empire as the ruler of the Bukhara Khanate. It was the father of that very Abdul Ahad Khan, who erected in 1907-1911 a magnificent palace ensemble on the territory of Yalta.

Or rather, by his order, it was done by the architect N. G. Tarasov is one of those same brothers. There are versions that the emir's desire to take possession of the estate in the Crimea was prompted by the desire to often intersect with Nicholas II, who, as you know, loved to relax in the summer in Livadia. The owner himself called the palace "Dilkiso", that is, "charming".

Some call it the Moorish style, but most likely the design of the building was created under the influence of several styles. Thus, the high-rise dominants resembling domes, as well as the belvedere, together with the openwork pestak, indicate that during the construction of the palace, elements typical of Mohammedan, Egyptian and Central Asian architecture were used.

The palace, built of Kerch stone of golden moon color, is a rather exotic structure for the architectural appearance of Yalta. At least you won't find such blue roofs like his. Today the building belongs to the Yalta sanatorium, which is not allowed to bystanders. It houses the library of the sanatorium.

And also the healing mud of the Crimea has always been famous. There were legends about how spa resorts cured infertility in women.