The Ostankino estate is one of the most unique monuments of Russian architecture of the 18th century in terms of its architecture and preservation. The estate is located in the northern part of Moscow.
The ensemble of the Ostankino estate took shape over several centuries. The first traces in history date back to the mid-16th century. At that time, in its place was the Shchelkalovs’ estate with a small boyar courtyard and a wooden church. In 1620, the Ostankino estate was donated by Mikhail Fedorovich, the Tsar, to the boyar I.B. Cherkassky. Since then, the Cherkasskys owned the estate for a little more than a century - until 1743, then it passed to the Sheremetevs.
The heyday of the Ostankino estate began at the end of the 18th century, when ownership of the estate passed into the hands of Count N. Sheremetev, a wealthy philanthropist and art connoisseur. At that time, theater was a new favorite hobby among the nobility, but for Count Sheremetev this light hobby grew into an all-consuming passion. He planned to make the Ostankino estate his summer residence and organize a theater troupe for permanent residence and work. To realize this idea on a full scale, the famous palace theater was erected in Ostankino.
Famous Russian architects F. Camporesi, V. Brenna and I. Starov worked on the project of this unusual palace. It was embodied by the count's serf architects - A. Mironov and P. Argunov. Construction lasted from 1792 to 1798. The palace was built entirely of wood, but its plastered walls seem to be made of stone. The embodiment of an extraordinary idea was highly appreciated.
When Prince Sheremetev died in 1809, the Ostankino estate was practically forgotten and abandoned by the owners.
Immediately after the October Revolution, the estate, thanks to the nationalization of values that swept the country, was turned into a museum, which in 1938 began to be called the Palace Museum of the Creativity of Serfs. In 1992, the museum was renamed the Moscow Ostankino Estate Museum.
Currently, the Ostankino estate museum displays a rich collection of ancient Russian icons and wooden sculptures from the late 15th to early 20th centuries, a collection of furniture from the late 14th to 19th centuries, and an exhibition of paintings and graphics.
Now let’s walk through the museum halls of the estate:
The first hall displays the museum's various collections.
Collecting was a favorite pastime of the nobility. The Counts Sheremetevs, who represented one of the noble and wealthy families of the Russian nobility, were also fond of collecting.
The museum has a unique collection of fans
Table (Russia 17th century); Chairs (Europe 17th century); Above the table is a portrait of Prince A.M. Cherkassky 1760; Wardrobe (Germany, second half of the 17th century)
Harp
(France. Paris. Master P. Krupp. 1770)
Behind the first hall there is a gallery. On the walls of which hangs an extensive collection of original drawings, measurements, projects of the 18th century related to the design and construction of the palace in Ostankino, as well as a collection of paintings.
The gallery leads to the Italian Pavilion - the most elegant pavilion in the Ostankino estate.
From the pavilion there is a corridor to the office of Count Sheremetyev himself, but the entrance to the office is closed to visitors. I photographed it from afar.
The passage Gallery to the Italian Pavilion, connecting the pavilion with the Engraving Gallery and forming an integral part of the lower theater foyer, was built in 1792 according to the design of the architect Francesco Camporesi.
Print gallery.
The print gallery was created in 1796 by order of N.P. Sherementeva.
A fundamental turn in the fate of Ostankino is associated with the decision of N.P. Sheremetev to build a theater in Ostankino. Unlike most representatives of the enlightened Russian nobility of that time, N.P. Sheremetev’s penchant for the then fashionable entertainment - the theater - turned from a hobby into his life’s work. Having a well-prepared troupe with an extensive repertoire and several theater premises, Sheremetev conceived a project for a summer entertainment residence that was unique for Russia.
When the theater opened in 1795, I. Kozlovsky’s opera based on the words of A. Potemkin “The Capture of Izmail or Zelmira and Smelon” was performed. On the day of the holiday organized by Sheremetev in 1797 in honor of Emperor Paul I, A.-E. Grétry's opera "Samnite Marriages" was staged, repeated a little later for the Polish king Stanislav August Poniatowski. In this opera, the main role was played by the brilliant Praskovya Zhemchugova, a serf actress, the best singer of the troupe, who later became Countess Sheremeteva.
In 1801, the last holiday during the life of N.P. Sheremetev took place in Ostankino in honor of Emperor Alexander I. The heyday of Ostankino was bright, but short. Soon the troupe was disbanded, and the estate was abandoned by the owners for a long time.
“I must tell you about the house of Count Sheremetev, who on the third day gave a holiday to the King of Poland and a select audience of about five hundred people.
Not a single German ruler, hardly any of the electors, has anything like this... On the lower floor everything glitters with gold, marbles, statues, vases.
One might think that this is the limit of the owner's possessions, but you will go up to the mezzanine and be surprised at the sight of a new, no less royal splendor. Big beautiful theater.
The troupe, actors, dancers, chapel - everything belongs to the owner,” an eyewitness wrote.
And the last pavilion that is open to visitors is the Egyptian one.
The Egyptian pavilion does not belong entirely to the palace and is connected to it only by a narrow passage gallery. The huge bright space opens onto the garden.
The Fountain House is one of the most interesting sights of St. Petersburg, almost the same age as the city. The name “Fountain House” dates back to the 18th century. was assigned to the estate of the Sheremetev counts, built on a vast area between the Fontanka River embankment and Liteiny Prospekt. The architect of the main manor house was S.I. Chevakinsky. Perhaps F.-B.'s drawings were used in the project. Rastrelli. The most eminent architects of different eras participated in the creation of the interiors of the palace and estate buildings over several centuries: F. S. Argunov, I. D. Starov, A. N. Voronikhin, D. Quarenghi, H. Meyer, D. Quadri, I. D. Corsini, N. L. Benois, A. K. Serebryakov and others. Under Count Sheremetev, the Fountain House was one of the high society centers of St. Petersburg, a meeting place for outstanding musicians, cultural figures and scientists. The Sheremetev Choir Chapel, created to accompany divine services in the house church of the Fountain House, was well known not only in Russia, but also in Europe. The palace was practically a museum of the history of the Sheremetev family, who played an important role in the Russian state for many centuries. Since 1990, the Sheremetev Palace has been one of the branches of the St. Petersburg State Museum of Theater and Musical Art. A Music Museum is being created within the walls of the palace, which is based on. Nowadays, in the halls of the Sheremetev Palace you can see objects from the Sheremetev collections, as well as works of painting and decorative and applied art of the 18th-19th centuries, which were acquired by the museum over the last quarter of a century.
Contacts
Address: Fontanka River embankment, 34
Inquiries, requests for excursions and concerts: tel. 272-44-41, 272-45-24 (dispatcher, cash desk)
Concert and excursion department: tel. 272-32-73, 272-40-74
Operating mode
Exhibition "Enfilade of the Palace's State Halls" (2nd floor):
Thursday-Monday 11.00-19.00 Wednesday 13.00-21.00
Closed: Tuesday and last Friday of the month
from Wednesday (13.00-21.00) to Sunday (Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun; 11.00-19.00),
The ticket office closes an hour earlier
Closed days: Monday, Tuesday and last Friday of the month
- Exhibition "Enfilade of the Palace's State Halls" (2nd floor):
adult - 300 rubles, students and schoolchildren - 100 rubles, pensioners - 200 rubles,
- Exposition of musical instruments "Open Funds" (1st floor):
adult - 300 rubles, students and schoolchildren - 100 rubles, pensioners - 200 rubles,
children under 7 years old - free, preferential categories of citizens - 70 rubles.
For free:
- visitors under 18 years old third Thursday of every month
- visitors with a St. Petersburg Guest Card, during the validity period of the card
- visitors from St. Petersburg CityPass is free during the validity period of the card
Cost of tickets with excursion service:
- For single visitors : - 400 rub.
- For groups: from 2500 to 5000 rubles. per group, entrance tickets are paid additionally
Audio guide for the “Open Funds” exposition - 50 rubles.
Staged photo shoot in the interiors of the palace (anniversary, wedding) 1 hour - 5000 rub. registration by phone 272-44-41 or 272-45-24
Please note that benefits are valid upon presentation of the relevant documents
Excursions
Museum of Theatrical Musical Art and St. Petersburg project “Unified Card of St. Petersburg Residents” announces a loyalty program from July 1, 2019 for card holders - discounts for students and pensioners to visit all branches of the museum!
(Fontanka River embankment, 34)
Student entrance ticket - 80 rubles (20% discount)
Entrance ticket for a pensioner - 150 rubles (25% discount)
The holder of the electronic card is a citizen of the Russian Federation, in whose name the electronic card “Unified Card of St. Petersburg Resident” was issued.
More detailed information about the map on the website
Despite all its luxury and splendor, the building of the Ostankino Palace is built entirely of wood. At the same time, the palace in Ostankino is not at all similar to rural estates, and could well take its rightful place on the most beautiful streets of Moscow.
Ostankino. Plans of the first and second floors of the palace. Measurement of I. Golosov
Only the large size of the building, designed to accommodate everything that is required for a broad lordly life, reminds us that this is a rural estate. The palace was built and decorated over the course of one decade, giving it extraordinary unity and integrity. Its project was developed by several remarkable architects, including such stars as M. Kazakov, D. Quarenghi, and D. Gilardi. In the central part of the palace one can see the creative genius of M.F. Kazakov, in the side wings it is easy to recognize the manner of Quarenghi, while Gilardi made minor additions after the palace was completed. The Sheremetev serf architects - A. Mironov, G. Dikushin and A. Argunov - were also involved in the work on the palace project.
Kazakov Matvey Fedorovich
Giacomo Antonio Domenico Quarenghi
Domenico Gilardi
In terms of its composition, the Ostankino Palace is built in the shape of the letter P (“rest”) with a front courtyard, which is very traditional for estates of that time. The side wings are connected to the central building by one-story galleries, emphasizing the elegant splendor of the portico on the central part of the house. The dome rising above all this gives the entire building an extraordinary completeness and harmony. From the garden facade, the building looks no less majestic. This is facilitated by a ten-column loggia-portico, covering the entire second floor. The marble bas-relief that completes the sonorous chord of the columns is made in the Greek style. Under the hot sun of the south, marble would give sharp effects, dark shadows would stand out even more sharply against the background of the brilliance of the illuminated parts. In the cloudy Russian light, the shadows of the bas-relief acquire an unusually gentle harmony, their light pearl-gray tints are wonderfully combined with the damp Moscow sky and the faded nature of the surrounding nature. Despite all the classicism of its forms, the Ostankino Palace is distinguished by its extraordinary elegance and luxury. And no wonder, because it could not help but reflect the spirit of abundance and pretentiousness that dominated architecture and art throughout the 18th century. The count himself meticulously delved into the smallest details of the construction of his brainchild. He often consulted and argued with his architects. As a result, Ostankino does not look like the creation of one master, but it wonderfully reflects the era and the understanding of beauty that united all the masters of the late 18th century.
Not far from the famous television center. In the old days, many special events and holidays were held here.
Today Ostankino is an estate that can be seen in many TV series and films.
Story
Ostankino was first mentioned in documents dating back to 1558. In those days, on the site of the current estate there was a village owned by Alexei Satin. It was called Ostankino. Somewhat later, the keeper of the state seal, clerk Vasily Shchelkanov, became the owner of this settlement. In Ostankino, on his orders, a boyar's house was erected, a church was built, a grove was planted and a pond was dug. However, during the Time of Troubles, most of the buildings were razed to the ground.
Restoration of buildings began in the 17th century. At this time, Prince Cherkassky began to own the lands of Ostankino. On his orders, a stone church was erected on the site of a dilapidated wooden church, a cedar grove was planted, and hunting grounds were set up on the estate. These lands belonged to the Cherkasy princes for almost a century until Varvara Alekseevna Cherkasskaya (the only daughter of the owner of the estate) became the wife of Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetyev. Ostankino appeared
Under Sheremetyev, alleys and a garden appeared on the estate, and entertainment pavilions began to be built. By order of the new owner, ornamental and agricultural crops began to be planted in the greenhouses.
Heyday
A new stage in the formation of the history of Ostankino began under Count Nikolai Petrovich Sheremetyev. He was a true connoisseur and connoisseur of the arts, one of the most educated people of that period and a passionate theatergoer. Ostankino is an estate where Sheremetyev was able to fulfill his dream. The count created a theater and palace complex on the estate. Construction work was carried out over six years from 1792. After this, the Ostankino estate acquired its final appearance.
They were built according to designs made by outstanding architects of the 18th century. Among them are V. Brenn, F. Camporesi and I. Starov. The serf architect I. Argunov also took part in the construction.
Wood was used in the construction of the building. After this, the palace was plastered to look like stone. The final architectural ensemble of the estate began to include a theater and a small front courtyard. The territory was decorated with a pond, as well as landscape and formal gardens.
Building for performances
The best European theaters of those years became the models for designing the palace built by Count Sheremetyev. The auditorium, shaped like a horseshoe, was decorated in pink and blue colors. The layout of this room provided excellent audibility and visibility from all corners. The hall is designed for two hundred and fifty spectators. The stage on which the actors played was one of the largest in Russia. Its depth was twenty-two meters and its width was seventeen. The lower stage, as well as the two-tier upper engine rooms, served the stage. The last of them has partially survived to the present day.
In order to get into the theater hall, it was necessary to go through the right or left entrances. Through the left, the spectators entered the foyer of the stalls, which was located in the western wing of the building. The Italian Pavilion was also located here. Its design in greenish-blue tones resembled a park area. Through the right entrance, visitors entered the upper foyer, the halls of which were located directly next to each other. At the very end there was an art gallery. The Ostankino Theater is interestingly designed. It could be quickly converted into a ballroom.
The theater in the estate of Count Sheremetyev was inaugurated on July 22, 1795. The stage size allowed for the production of operas written by Russian and Western European composers, in which there was a quick change of scenery and there were many mass episodes.
At the opening of the theater they showed the lyrical drama “The Capture of Ishmael”. Moreover, the bulk of the invited guests were direct participants in this event.
Architectural complex
Ostankino is an estate, the construction of which was divided into several stages. After the construction of the main wooden theater building, several more structures were added to it. The construction of the mezzanine foyer was completed, the Egyptian and Italian pavilions, as well as galleries, were located symmetrically. All these structures were a U-shaped complex in plan. At the same time, the general axis of the Sheremetyev estate near Moscow was oriented towards the Kremlin. An interesting decision was made when decorating the front yard and outbuildings. Together they resembled a stage space.
The Sheremetyev estate in Ostankino is distinguished by classical simplicity. Moreover, the latter is combined with an abundance of gilding and mirrors used in the interior design of the premises. The rooms of the palace were decorated with valuable works of art.
Layout
Sheremetyev built the estate for his beloved, the serf actress Praskovya Kovaleva-Zhemchugova, with whom he was secretly married. A Pleasure Garden appeared not far from the estate. When planning it, various types of elements of the park area were combined. Together they made an interesting composition. A rampart was erected around the garden. Behind it, on the eastern side, huts for servants were located, and on the western side - a greenhouse and a horse yard.
The area to the north was turned into the Surplus Garden. Walking paths were laid there, trees were planted and a pond was dug. The area near the Kamenka River flowing nearby was also beautified. A whole cascade of ponds was dug here. In those days, Ostankino was an estate in which the capital's secular society gathered. Various events and celebrations were held here, as well as performances.
New life for the estate
In the 19th century The Sheremetyevs moved to St. Petersburg. From that time on, they began to visit their estate only occasionally. However, despite the absence of the owners, festivities continued to be held here on holidays, during which representatives of the capital’s social circles gathered in the Pleasure Garden. Ordinary people were having picnics on the shore of the pond. Somewhat later, the managers of the Sheremetyev family’s estate near Moscow began renting out estate buildings for dachas. At the same time, the palace could be viewed with a special permit, and then it was completely turned into a private museum.
The fate of the estate after the October Revolution
The Ostankino estate (see photo below) was nationalized after the arrival of Soviet power.
In 1918 it was turned into a state museum. Since 1938, the Sheremetyev estate was renamed the Palace-Museum of the Creativity of Serfs. The estate received a new name in 1992. It became Ostankino.
Ostankino today
Currently, the Ostankino Estate Museum is included in the list of specially protected objects in Russia. The entire territory of the former estate of Count Sheremetyev can be divided into three parts. This is the Pleasure Garden, Palace and Park.
At the Ostankino Estate Museum, visitors can see a rich collection of icons of ancient Rus', as well as wooden sculptures made from the late fifteenth to the early twentieth centuries. An interesting exhibition of graphics and paintings, as well as a collection of furniture dating back to the 14th-19th centuries.
Collecting was a favorite pastime of most noble people. The Sheremetyevs were also keen on this. Their collections are presented in the first hall of the museum. After viewing the unique items collected here, visitors are invited to enter the gallery. On the walls of this room hang various drawings, designs and measurements from the 18th century. All of them are related to the design and construction work carried out during the construction of the palace in the Ostankino estate. Next, visitors move to the Italian Pavilion, which is the most luxuriously decorated in the estate. It contains a corridor leading to Count Sheremetyev's office. However, guests are not allowed to enter. The Italian pavilion is connected to the Engraving Gallery by the Prohodnaya Gallery. This room is an integral part of the lower foyer of the theater. The last pavilion that visitors can enter is the Egyptian one. It is located away from the palace building and is connected to it only by a small passage gallery.
Museum work
Is your final destination on the route Ostankino estate? How to get there? From the station you will need to transfer to tram No. 11 or 17 and get to the final stop. You can walk. From the metro station towards the television center, the journey will take about fifteen minutes. The museum opens to visitors on May 15. The end of the excursion season is September 30. The Ostankino estate, whose opening hours are from 11 to 19, does not accept visitors during rain or high humidity. Days off are Monday and Tuesday.
, official website
Membership in organizations:
Union of Museums of Russia - R14
Russian National Committee of the International Council of Museums - ICOM Russia - R158
Association of Music Museums and Collections (AMMiK) - R1928
Sponsors, patrons and grant givers:
V. Potanin Charitable Foundation
Storage units:
21905, of which 17254 are fixed assets items
Major exhibition projects:
"Palace within a Palace". Moscow, State Museum "Tsaritsyno", 2014
"Unrivaled Wedgwood." Moscow, All-Russian Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art, 2014.
"One hundred years of holidays in an estate near Moscow. Kuskovo. Ostankino. Arkhangelskoe. Lyublino." Moscow, Moscow State United Art Historical-Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve, 2014-15.
"Palladio in Russia. From Baroque to Modernism." Italy, Venice, Correr Museum, 2014, Moscow, State Museum "Tsaritsyno", 2015
Traveling and exchange exhibitions:
"Passion for Beads" (first quarter of the 18th - early 20th centuries). The whole range of beadwork from the era of its heyday - from thimble cases to furniture. From 200 to 300 exhibits. Showcases required
French engraving from the 17th - 19th centuries. From the collection of the Moscow Ostankino Estate Museum. Genre and reproduction engravings by leading French masters. 60 sheets are provided for the exhibition, representing in all its splendor the exquisite art of French printmaking
English color engraving of the 17th - 19th centuries. from the collection of the Moscow Ostankino Estate Museum. Magnificent color sheets by leading English masters of exquisite technique, the highest quality of workmanship and an original form of art. 40 exhibits
"Giambattista, Francesco and Laura Piranesi. Masterpieces of world graphics from the collection of the Moscow Ostankino Estate Museum." 40 rare sheets from the creative heritage of the famous artistic family - the great Italian etcher Giambattista Piranesi, his son Francesco and daughter Laura
Architectural landscape in Italian engravings of the late 17th - early 19th centuries. from the collection of the Ostankino Estate Museum. Masterpieces of graphic art in the genre of architectural veduta, popular both among professional artists and architects, and art lovers. 50 sheets
Russian watercolor portrait of the 19th century. from the collection of the Ostankino estate museum. The exhibition includes such famous names as P.F. Sokolov, V.I. Gau, A.P. Rokstuhl and others. 60 portraits, supplemented with art objects - fans, boxes, etc.
Russian graphic portrait of the first half of the 19th century. from the collection of the Ostankino estate museum. Chamber portraits drawn with graphic and colored pencils, charcoal, pastels, watercolors and gouache. 50 portraits, complemented by art objects - fans, boxes, etc.
Russian miniature portrait of the 18th - 19th centuries. from the collection of the Ostankino estate museum. Works by the most famous masters of Russian miniatures. The number of exhibits can vary from 100 to 200 exhibits. Requires vertical display cases with lighting
Western European miniature portrait of the 18th - 19th centuries. from the collection of the Ostankino estate museum. Works by famous masters of portrait miniatures XVIII-XIX. The number of exhibits can vary from 100 to 200 exhibits. Requires vertical display cases with lighting
