Tsaritsino Estate

Architectural and park ensemble of Tsaritsino is a remarkable historical and cultural monument of the 18th-19th centuries. Constructed in the Gothic style, it was intended for the residence of Catherine II. Long time ago the village Chernaya Graz (Black Dirt) was located on the site of Tsaritsino. It belonged to the Kantemir Princes. In 1775 Catherine II bought the estate, and it got the modern name. In 1776-1785 grandiose construction works supervised by architect V. Bajenov took place on the territory of the estate. In 1779-1782 the two palaces were put up. They were connected by the gallery with openwork arched gates. In 1784-1785 the Cavalry Building and the Bread House were erected. At the same time the landscape park was laid out. The Gothic buildings were notable for combination of red bricks and white socle adorned with decorative details. However, the Empress did not appreciate Bajenov's work. Plenty of mason symbols in decoration made Catherine the Great indignant, and Bajenov was dismissed. Architect M. Kazakov was the one who was supposed to continue the construction works. In 1797, in a year after Catherine's death, construction works were stopped. In the 19th century Tsaritsino became the place for folk festivals. The new pavilions were put up. Some of them survived to present day. Among them is the gallery «Milovid» with Tuscan order columns designed in 1804 by architect I. Egotov, pavilion with cupola «Nerasstankino», and eight-columned pavilion «Golden Sheaf» («Ceres's Temple»). In 1860 it was decided to demolish Tsaritsino Estate, but fortunately the plans were not realized. In 1927 Tsaritsino was turned into a museum. After World War II the park and the pavilions of the 19th century were restored. In 1984 in Tsaritsino the State Museum of the USSR People's Applied Art was founded. And in 1993 the State Historical, Architectural, Artistic and Landscape Museum-Preserve Tsaritsino was opened. It is the largest museum of such a kind in Moscow.