Tsaritsino, Moscow, Russia - 23rd May 2010
By: TaisAfinskaia
Privet mommy!
How did you spend your great week-end? I had a pleasant walk in very large and luxurious park Tsaritsino ("Tsar" and "Tsaritsa" are "King" and "Queen" in Russian). This park is so beautiful that Catherina II bought it for 25 000 rubles in spite of the fact its owner asked only 20 000.
Here is a piece of history
Quote: | Tsaritsino museum and reserve in Moscow was founded in 1984 in the park of the same name. The estate is known from the late 16th century, when it belonged to Tsarica Irina, sister of Tsar Boris Godunov. At that time it was called Bogorodskoye. In the 17th century it belonged to the Streshnevs and then to the Galitzines. In 1775, when the estate was bought by empress Catherine the Great, it received its present name, which means “Tsarina’s”. In 1776-85 architect Vasili Bazhenov built a new palace for the Empress here, but in 1786 Catherine ordered it to be partly pulled down. Until 1797 architect Matvey Kazakov was working on the construction, but the palace remained unfinished. Currently, in Tsaritsino there are a history and architecture museum, a landscape park with an adjacent forest, an art museum, the Biryulyovo dendropark, and a cascade of the Tsaritsino ponds.
Bazhenov's "Opera House", 1776-1778.The 18th-century architecture ensemble was built (though not finished) following the order of Catherine II in pseudo-Gothic style, after projects of the Bazhenov and Kazakov, and it is the only 18th-century architectural ensemble of such dimensions in Russia. Around the palace, in the park there are a number of pavilions, pergolas, arbours, artificial grottos, decorative bridges (early 19th century, architect I. Yegotov), and a Russian Orthodox temple “Source of Life”, as well as a modern recreation center with an upscale restaurant. For a long time most buildings were ruined (and alpinists used them for training). Recently most buildings have been "completed": rooftops, interiors and decorations have been added and their historical appearance has been altered. A number of buildings house the Russian museum of folk and applied art. The atrium of the “Bread House” is used for concerts of Moscow musicians. |
As you can see I have new friend Chengzi, he is the same size as myself so we can have fun together without fright to crush each other (all other TVs are very small)
I climbed the castle wall, watched the area and when got tired I sat on the gras and smelled the flowers. Such a pleasure!
Yours,
fai.
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