Vorontsov Palace is an English castle in Alupka. Vorontsov Palace in Alupka: interior chambers and park Where is the Vorontsov Palace located in Crimea
In 1823, the hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, Count Mikhail Semenovich Vorontsov, became governor-general of the Novorossiysk region, which at that time included Crimea. The development of Crimea owes a lot to this strong-willed and energetic person. Under his leadership, a highway is being built on the southern coast of Crimea, the agricultural and especially wine industries are rapidly developing, and the number of industrial enterprises is rapidly growing. The history of the Black Sea shipping company began in 1828. During these same years, the count was actively buying land from the local Tatar population and dreaming of creating his own palace.
Construction of the palace lasted for 20 years.
After the death of Thomas Harisson in 1829 in 1831, Count Vorontsov unexpectedly ordered to stop the construction of the palace and radically change the neoclassical style of the palace. The Count invites one of the most talented architects of that time, Edward Blore. According to the architect's idea, the palace is being built in the English Gothic style. In the same year, construction of the main building begins. The building material for the construction of the walls was diabase, a rock of volcanic origin that is several times stronger than granite. Deposits of this stone are found nearby in abundance. Diabase is very difficult to process, but this does not stop Count Vorontsov, because he was the richest man in the country and more than 60,000 serfs worked under his leadership. Even a sapper battalion took part in the excavation work, whose soldiers worked on the construction of terraces on the southern side of the facade. 
Interesting fact: the architect Blore never visited a construction site. He got his entire idea of the terrain from numerous drawings and engravings.
In 1948, construction of the palace came to an end. Vorontsov Palace consists of five buildings, decorated with towers, which are connected by various passages, stairs and courtyards. The architect managed to organically fit the buildings, elongated from west to east, into the mountainous landscape of the area. Externally, the palace very much resembles a family feudal castle in England.
Palace interiors
The interiors of the Vorontsov Palace are in no way inferior to the Livadia Palace in the luxury of its decoration. The decoration of the rooms has been almost completely preserved. Each room, and there are about 150 of them, is designed in a personal style. The materials that were used in the decoration are reflected in the names of the rooms. The Chinese cabinet is decorated with the finest rice straw, decorative elements are embroidered with beads and silk. The decoration of the Chintz room is skillfully made from this fabric. The brightest room of the Vorontsov Palace is the Blue Living Room, the highlight of which is the stucco ornament in the form of petals and leaves. There are about three thousand of them in total and each of them is different from the other. The fireplaces of the palace are a separate masterpiece of architectural art. In each room they are unique and made of different materials.
Alupka Park
The Vorontsov Palace is located on the territory of Alupka Park, which is a pearl landscape design. This masterpiece was created by the Chief Gardener of the Southern Coast of Crimea, Karl Antonovich Kebakh, over the course of 25 years. The park spreads over an area of 40 hectares. More than two hundred species of plants grow here, which were brought from the regions of Northern and South America, Mediterranean. Geographically it is divided into Upper and Lower parks. The park is designed in such a way that it complements the local nature. Three reservoirs have been artificially created in the park.
Interesting fact: To decorate the bottom of Swan Lake, Count Vorontsov ordered 20 bags of semi-precious stones, which were delivered by ship. In sunny weather they created an indescribably beautiful play of light.
The attraction of the park is the piles of stones from solidified magma, thrown out by the volcano back in time immemorial, called “Great Chaos” and “Little Chaos”. Also built in the park large number fountains. 
clearing in the park
Interesting facts about Vorontsov Palace
The palace was owned by three generations of the Vorontsov family. The cost of laying out the park is twice as high as the construction of the palace itself. In 1910, up to 36,000 rubles were spent on maintaining the park, a huge amount at that time. The Vorontsov Palace is one of the first buildings in Russia where sewerage and water supply were built for comfortable living. Since 1921, a museum has been operating in the palace complex. Only after the Great Patriotic War, for about 10 years, the territory of the Vorontsov Palace was a secret object and there was a dacha for the party leadership here. During the Yalta Conference in February 1945, the British delegation led by William Churchill lived in the Vorontsov Palace. There is an interesting story connected with it that happened during a walk in Churchill and Stalin Park. The fact is that the staircase on the side of the facade, which faces the sea, is decorated with sculptures of guarding lions. Churchill, who really liked the sculpture of the sleeping lion, said that it looked like himself and offered Stalin to buy it. Stalin refused this proposal, but suggested to Churchill that if he answered his question correctly, Stalin would give him a sleeping lion. “Which finger on your hand is the main one?” - that was Stalin’s question. Churchill replied, “Of course the index finger.” “Wrong,” Stalin answered and twisted a figure from his fingers, which is popularly called a fig. 
The architecture of the Crimean peninsula is fascinating: there are many famous historical monuments, attracting the attention of tourists from all over the world. The Vorontsov Palace, as can be seen in many photos, is one of the most majestic buildings in Crimea.
It was built by Count Mikhail Vorontsov in the small Tatar village of Alupka at the foot of Mount Ai-Petri. The mansion gained fame architectural masterpiece era of romanticism.
Vorontsov Palace is located in the town of Alupka in the southern part of the picturesque Crimean Peninsula. The city is part of the Yalta urban district and stretches along the coast for 4 km. Not far from Alupka there are the resorts of Simeiz and Katsiveli.
Geographic coordinates on the map of Crimea GPS N 44.4197, E 34.0430
How and by whom the construction was carried out
Count Vorontsov first visited Crimea in 1822 and was delighted with the beauty and wealth of the southern region. Under him, the rapid development of winemaking began, fish factories were created, salt production was established, roads and a port were built. The Vorontsov Palace in Crimea, photos of which are presented in the article, was built as summer residence Count Mikhail Vorontsov.
The Governor-General of Novorossiya was a very rich and educated man. He took the project planning seriously and personally last day supervised the construction. Initially building complex planned in the style of strict classicism by famous architects Thomas Harrison and Francesco Boffo.
The Count approved the project, but after visiting England, where he met the talented royal architect Edward Blore, the creator Buckingham Palace and a great connoisseur of medieval architecture - he changed the drawings. The famous architect never came to Crimea, but thoroughly studied the area around the construction site from drawings and sketches.
He designed a magnificent castle that fit perfectly into the surrounding landscape.
The palace, with a total area of 40 hectares, was built over 20 years from 1928 to 1948. The material was local durable diabase stone of volcanic origin. It was delivered in blocks to the construction site, where it was cut by hand.
The palace complex consists of five buildings connected by open and closed passages, which were built alternately in the style of a certain era. Inside the palace there are 150 rooms equipped with running water and sewerage. Huge amounts of money were invested in the construction of the palace, but richest man Russia could afford such luxury.
History of the palace
The Vorontsov noble family is one of the most ancient. Mikhail grew up in the family of a famous politician and diplomat, and spent his childhood in England. A brilliantly educated young man, upon returning home at the age of 19, entered military service. Mikhail made a successful career and, very young, received the rank of general.
In 1823, the count and his family arrived in Odessa, where he was appointed governor-general. Knowing about the wealth of the southern region, Mikhail was interested in obtaining this position. During his reign, the city flourished, and the count decided to invest his personal income in the construction of a magnificent estate. After completion of construction, the palace belonged to the Vorontsov family for a long time, and then to its descendants.
But by the end of the 19th century the estate was abandoned:
- In 1904, a distant relative of the Vorontsovs began to build dachas on the territory and rent out the land for sanatoriums.
- At the beginning of the 20th century, with the advent of Soviet power, the mansion became national museum.
- During World War II, the palace was practically not damaged, only some valuable exhibits were taken away. Hitler promised the mansion to Field Marshal Mannstein and he took care of preserving his property.
- During the Yalta Conference, the British delegation lived in the palace.
- In the post-war years there was a summer house for high-ranking officials, and then in 1956 the mansion again acquired the status of a museum.
Since 1990, the palace complex has been called the Alupka Palace and Park Museum-Reserve.
Architecture. Palace interiors
The main feature of the palace is the original fusion of different styles. The famous architect managed to organically combine the themes of the West and the East. The Vorontsov Palace in Crimea, the photo of which conveys a knightly interior and elements of stylized Gothic, corresponded to the character and lifestyle of the count and reflected his masculine interests.
The Vorontsov Palace in Crimea looks great not only in person, but also in the photo. Both European craftsmen and stone-cutters, cabinet-makers, molders, embroiderers from all the provinces of Russia, and the serfs of the count himself had a hand in creating the magnificent interior. Up to three hundred names of skilled craftsmen have been preserved in the archives.
Western facade of the Vorontsov Palace
The western facade or Shuvalovsky Proezd with its high watchtowers, narrow loopholes and thick fortress walls made of gray diabase blocks resembles a medieval European castle. The main entrance to the palace ensemble runs from this side.
Architecture of the utility buildings of the Vorontsov Palace
The utility buildings are located in an elongated closed polygon, to which two separate gates lead. The architecture of these buildings corresponds to English medieval castles. The facades are decorated with clear geometric lines of door and window openings, the walls are processed using the “torn” stone method.
Various household services were located on the ground floor, and servants lived in the upper rooms.
Northern facade of the Vorontsov Palace
The northern side of the mansion resembles a 16th-century country house in England. Tall chimneys give a special flavor to the northern façade.
The northern side is illuminated by the sun only in the morning and evening; the rest of the day it seems to merge with the gray rocks. Mount Ai-Petri, rising behind the palace, harmoniously complements the architectural ensemble.
Front office of the Vorontsov Palace
The office is decorated in traditional English style:
- bay windows;
- oak panels and doors;
- inlaid furniture from London;
- fireplace.
On the walls with painted wallpaper are memorable portraits of military comrades in the Patriotic War of 1812 and a portrait of the owner himself in military uniform.
The office is decorated with a finely crafted ebony bookcase, English chairs and armchairs with Gothic carvings, bronze sculptures, candelabra, and a gilded clock depicting folk heroes Minin and Pozharsky. Here the Governor-General held meetings and friendly meetings.
Calico living room of the Vorontsov Palace
A small chintz room served as a reception room, where they waited for an audience with the count. The walls are upholstered in expensive English fabric with elegant patterns, the furniture is inlaid with bronze, there is a blue crystal chandelier on the ceiling, and mosaic parquet flooring.
The walls are decorated with landscapes by Russian artists.
Chinese cabinet of the Vorontsov Palace
This is the countess's boudoir. Its design reveals a subtle feminine taste and passion for the Far Eastern exoticism that was fashionable at that time. The walls are decorated with thin rice straws, silk embroideries, and carved decor.
On the wall are portraits of famous people, a portrait of the Countess herself by an unknown artist and family coats of arms.
Entrance hall of the Vorontsov Palace
The front lobby is decorated in English style and was intended to welcome guests. There are two fireplaces made of polished diabase.
On the walls are portraits of the count's relatives, Empress Catherine II, who was the godmother of Mikhail Vorontsov. The interior is complemented by rare Persian carpets.
Living room of the Vorontsov Palace
The bright festive room was used as a home theater. The blue walls are decorated with alabaster flowers. The artistic modeling was carried out by serfs of Count Vorontsov. The living room has a white marble fireplace with floral designs, huge porcelain vases, Bohemian glass chandeliers and a beautiful white grand piano.
Hospitable hosts willingly welcomed poets and musicians into their apartments. Zhukovsky, Alexey Tolstoy, Shchepkin, Rachmaninov performed here. The Countess herself played the piano and sang beautifully.
Winter Garden of the Vorontsov Palace
The winter garden connects the interior chambers and the formal dining room. The Vorontsov couple loved to relax here. Rare ornamental plants from Africa, Australia, and Japan were grown in the garden. The garden was traditionally decorated with white antique sculptures, busts of family members, and a white marble fountain. The sculpture of a laughing girl is considered one of the most skillful in the world.
State dining room of the Vorontsov Palace
The most solemn and spacious room of the palace is reminiscent of the knights' halls of the Middle Ages. The ceiling height reaches 8 meters, and total area about 150 sq. m. The decoration of this room was personally done by Edward Blore. Bay windows, oak ceiling in the shape of Gothic vaults, carved wood, family coats of arms, strict colors of wood and stone.
The architect risked complementing the cold interior with picturesque panels in carved frames by the French artist Robert.
Between two fireplaces there is an indoor fountain, and above it a balcony for musicians. Sparkling dining tables, a sideboard with lion legs, openwork sideboards, crystal vases, dozens of chandeliers and candelabra decorated with Ural malachite.
Billiard room of the Vorontsov Palace
In the billiard room, hosts and guests played and had fun. There is a walnut set and a mahogany table. The room is decorated in English style. The Vorontsov Palace in Crimea (the photos below represent paintings by European artists) is famous for its large collection of works by famous masters from different eras. The billiard room houses a large number of paintings.
Southern facade of the Vorontsov Palace
The southern façade faces the sea and is constantly illuminated by the sun. Its design contains characteristic elements of Muslim architecture. These are huge windows, deep niches, verandas with openwork grilles, horseshoe arches, ornate carvings with flowers, Arabic inscriptions on the cornice.
The monumental staircase leading down to the sea is guarded by six lions carved from white marble. The Lion Terrace has become a favorite place for photo shoots and selfies.
Library of the Vorontsov Palace
It was not without reason that Count Vorontsov’s library was considered one of the largest in Russia. The storage shelving, four meters high, housed thousands of books in various languages. The owner was interested in science, as evidenced by rare manuscripts, ancient maps and globes. The count's father and aunt began collecting a unique library.
Alupka Park
The Vorontsov Palace in Crimea (every tourist today wants to take a photo with a view of the park in order to preserve the memory of its beauty) began to be built after the foundation of the luxurious park. The German gardener Karl Kebach created a real miracle in 1/4 century. At the personal request of the countess, the territory of the estate was literally buried in greenery and flowers.
Once upon a time, over 2 thousand rose bushes bloomed here.
The lower park, with its flower beds on the terraces, fountains, benches, and marble vases, is reminiscent of medieval gardens. Proximity mountain springs made it possible to create artificial cool ponds with cascades and small waterfalls, swimming swans. The water constantly gurgles here, harmony and order reign.
By order of the count, the bottom of Swan Lake was strewn with semi-precious stones to create sunlight. The upper park was designed to imitate wild nature. It’s hard to believe that the stone chaos in the form of gorges, cliffs, grottoes was made by human hands. Nearby there are wide clearings, specially cleared of piles of stones. Each lawn has its own romantic name.
The park contains a rich collection of ancient trees and shrubs of rare species imported from other countries. Tourists can admire the cozy Tea House, the amazing Freischutz waterfall, the Maria Fountain - a copy of the fountain of “tears” in Bakhchisarai.
The Vorontsov Palace and its magnificent park were immortalized in their paintings by Levitan, Surikov, and Lentulov. While in Crimea, Aivazovsky painted his seascapes here. The rock on which he worked bears the artist's name. Thousands of tourists take beautiful photos as souvenirs of the wonderful nature of Crimea and its amazing attractions.
Museum expositions
The interior of the palace has changed slightly over the past 100 years. The museum has several permanent exhibitions. Tourists can explore 10 state rooms on the ground floor.
The following exhibitions are also available to visitors:
- Shuvalov's house;
- kitchen;
- butler's apartment;
- sculptures in the park.
There are valuable collections of paintings, porcelain, sculptures, and elegant antique furniture that have great historical value. The guides talk very interestingly and in detail about the buildings and life of the family members.
Palace opening hours
The main exhibitions of the museum are open seven days a week from 9:00 to 18:00. Other exhibitions are closed on Mondays and Wednesdays. Tickets are sold at several ticket offices, which open at 9 o'clock.
Information for tourists. Visiting rules
Tourists are informed in advance about the rules for visiting the museum.
Here are the main ones:
How do excursions work?
Each excursion begins with an inspection of stands where the history of construction is presented. Then visitors explore the remaining halls of the first floor. Excursionists are not allowed into the upper sleeping quarters. They clearly look more modest, and the furnishings have not been preserved.
Thematic exhibitions are often organized in the park, and excursions around the park in electric cars are offered. Individual excursions are carried out on a contractual basis.
Cost of visits
Entrance to Alupka Park is free, except for some places popular with tourists.
Prices for visiting the museum are reasonable:
| Services | Ticket price for adults (RUB) | Cost of discounted ticket (RUB) |
| Main exhibitions | 300 | 200 |
| Exhibitions | 110-150 | 55-80 |
| Tour of the park | 50-100 | 25 |
| Walk through the park in an electric car | 800 | 800 |
| Single ticket | 650 | Z25 |
| Event with photo accompaniment for one academic hour | 2500 |
Commercial video shootings are paid in advance.
How to get to Vorontsov Palace
From any settlement It is easy to get to Alupka on the South Coast, both by sea and by land.
From Yalta
From Yalta to Alupka 17 km. You can get here by regular boat, which departs from the sea station. From the central bus station there are buses with special routes - No. 132 (from the center) and No. 102 (from the bus station).
From the Vorontsov Palace stop you can get to the castle through the park. Minibuses No. 107 and No. 115 take tourists to the bus station, and from there you have to walk. By car from Yalta you need to go through Vinogradnoye, Livadia, Gornoye.
From Alushta
It is easier to get from Alushta to Alupka via Yalta, where departures are made every half hour route trolleybuses. At the Yalta bus station, change to buses to Alupka. On the passing intercity buses "Simferopol-Simeiz" you can directly get to Alupka (highway) in two hours. This option is suitable for active tourists, not burdened with luggage.
From Simferopol
First you need to get to the Yalta bus station on the Simferopol-Yalta bus, and from there by shuttle bus to the bus stop and another 10-15 minutes on foot.
From Sevastopol
Take the “Sevastopol-Yalta” bus to the “Pitomnik” stop, cross to the other side of the road and take route No. 1A and go to the “Avtostanciya” stop. There is also a direct flight “Sevastopol-Alupka”. A good option there will be an acquisition excursion tour, which will eliminate problems with transport.
The majestic palace has its secrets and mysteries.
Some of them remain unsolved to this day:
Vorontsov Palace is the most striking landmark of the peninsula. You can’t visit Crimea without visiting the famous palace ensemble and its magnificent park. Here you can admire beautiful views, get unforgettable vivid impressions. Tourists who come to Alupka love to take photos against the backdrop of the palace and the battlements of Mount Ai-Petri.
Article format: Lozinsky Oleg
Video about the Vorontsov Palace in Crimea
Vorontsov Palace. Alupka. Sights of Crimea:
The Vorontsov Palace in Alupka is one of the most visited Yalta palaces and the only one that I visited, and even then by accident. It’s not that I didn’t want to see it, but I really didn’t want to do it in the summer, it’s too crowded at that time.
The palace was built in the English style, and the construction contains elements of various eras, from early forms to the 16th century. The further from the western gate, the later the style of construction. The English style is combined with the neo-Moorish style. For example, Gothic chimneys resemble mosque minarets. The palace was built from 1828 to 1848 as the summer residence of the Governor-General of the Novorossiysk Territory, Count Vorontsov. It is interesting that the Vorontsov Palace is one of the first buildings in Russia where sewerage and water supply were built for comfortable living.
Main facade of the Vorontsov Palace
The palace was owned by three generations of the Vorontsov family. Since 1921, a museum has functioned in the palace complex. After the Great Patriotic War, for about 10 years, the territory of the Vorontsov Palace was a secret object and there was a summer house for the party leadership. Now it is again a museum.
The Vorontsov Palace is located on the territory of the Alupka Park, which was created by the famous botanist and gardener Karl Antonovich Kebakh for 25 years. He designed clearings and placed trees, taking into account their size. This was a question of principle, because according to Karl’s plan, trees should not have blocked gorgeous view to the top of Mount Ai-Petri.
The park spreads over an area of 40 hectares. Geographically it is divided into Upper and Lower parks. The park is designed in such a way that it complements the local nature. More than two hundred species of plants grow here, which were brought from the regions of North and South America and the Mediterranean. The cost of setting up the park is twice as high as building the palace itself. In 1910, up to 36,000 rubles were spent on maintaining the park - a huge amount at that time.
Map of Vorontsovsky Park
The attraction of the park is the piles of stones from solidified magma, thrown out by the volcano back in time immemorial, called “Great Chaos” and “Little Chaos”. These chaos were carefully included in the layout of the park, a dozen paths were laid through the piles of stones, forming almost a labyrinth, benches were placed, and viewing platforms were arranged. Individual blocks are entwined with ivy and wild grapes. Sometimes it is very difficult to believe that you are in a park, and not an abandoned one.
A large number of fountains have been built in the park. Most of them were built according to designs by V. Gunt.
In general, Crimea has long had a tradition of respectful attitude towards water. The construction of a fountain, both in Muslim Crimea and in Russia, was considered a worthy and even godly deed. Where there was at least some trickle flowing, they installed a fountain, decorated it with a saying from the Koran or the emblem of the engineering department, and sometimes stamped the date. Along the old roads, in the old Crimean settlements, many of these ancient fountains have been preserved, many are still functioning.
Three ponds have also been artificially created in the park: Verkhniy, Zerkalny and Swan. Maple, ash and dogwood trees grow around the ponds.
To decorate the bottom of Swan Lake, Count Vorontsov ordered 20 bags of semi-precious stones, which were delivered by ship. In sunny weather they created an indescribably beautiful play of light.
The owner drives the ducks away from his property
A couple more interesting facts about the park, according to the guides. Vorontsovsky Park grew up literally on blood, for the soil under the trees was abundantly fertilized with the blood of freshly killed animals. Each tree was assigned a separate gardener, who did not sleep, did not eat, but watched over his ward, cared for him, and cherished him.
Araucaria Chilean owes its name to the Araucanians - Indians living in Chile, for whom the fruits of this tree form the basis of their diet. This specimen is over 130 years old. It develops poorly in our conditions. In its homeland, it grows up to 50 meters in height and has a trunk with a diameter of up to one meter. There are only 5 such trees in Crimea. The branches of Araucaria are covered with sharp thorns, so neither monkeys nor birds sit on them.
Chilean Araucaria
Crimean pine
Pistachio obtufolia
Lower Park
The “Maria” fountain is based on the famous Bakhchisarai fountain, glorified by Pushkin. The fountain is made of white and colored marble and decorated with shells and rosettes. Water falls in small drops from one bowl to another, forming a quiet, even rhythm of drops - “tears”.
Fountain "Maria" (Fountain of Tears)
On the sea side there is the famous lion terrace.
The southern entrance is decorated with oriental splendor. The Arabic inscription translates as: “And there is no winner except Allah.”
coral tree
Bakhchisarai Fountain
I didn’t go inside the palace; I really don’t like running smoothly through the crowd. Maybe I'll visit some other time.
Winter garden of the palace
During the Yalta Conference in February 1945, the British delegation led by William Churchill lived in the Vorontsov Palace. There is an interesting story connected with it that happened during a walk in Churchill and Stalin Park. Churchill, who really liked the sculpture of the sleeping lion, said that it looked like himself and offered Stalin to buy it. Stalin refused this proposal, but suggested to Churchill that if he answered his question correctly, Stalin would give him a sleeping lion. “Which finger on your hand is the main one?” - this was Stalin’s question. Churchill replied: “Of course the index finger.” “Wrong,” Stalin answered and twisted a figure from his fingers, which is popularly called a fig.
Sleeping lion
Fountain "Sink"
Fountain "Sink"
Southern facade of the Vorontsov Palace and Lion's Terrace
