Kuskovo, nicknamed the Moscow Versailles due to its formal French gardens, was the summer country house and estate of the Sheremetev family. Built in the mid-18th century, it was originally situated several miles to the east of Moscow but now is part of the East District of the city. Today the estate is the home of the Russian State Museum of Ceramics, and the park is a favourite place of recreation for Muscovites.

The Palace was constructed by Petr Borisovich Sheremetev (1713–1787). Construction was carried out between the 1730s and the 1790s on a site of over three hundred hectares. The earliest surviving structure is the Saviour church, on the site of the old wooden church, built in 1737-39 in a Petrine baroque style and decorated with marble statues. The neoclassical bell-tower was added later, in 1792.

The Palace was designed in the new neoclassical style, then becoming popular for state buildings in St. Petersburg and Moscow. The exterior was made of wooden planks, which were plastered and painted in soft pastel colors. The six-column portico at the front of the house was designed with a ramp so that carriages with as many as eight horses could come directly to the front door.

The Palace

Tapestry Rom

Dining Room

Sevres Egyptian Service

Everyday Bedchamber

The Grotto

TheThe Grotto Grotto was constructed between 1755 and 1761 by the architect F. was constructed between 1755 and 1761 by the architect F. AfgounovAfgounov, , and was intended to represent the palace of the King of the Seas. It was placed next and was intended to represent the palace of the King of the Seas. It was placed next to a large pond, which reflected its imposing facade and dome. Inside rows of niches to a large pond, which reflected its imposing facade and dome. Inside rows of niches were filled with statues of Venus, Diana, Ceres, Flore, Juno and Jupiter.were filled with statues of Venus, Diana, Ceres, Flore, Juno and Jupiter.

Dutch House

A traditional brick A traditional brick Dutch House Dutch House was constructed in the 1750s on was constructed in the 1750s on a small pond near the Palace. a small pond near the Palace. The house has kitchen on the The house has kitchen on the ground floor decorated from ground floor decorated from floor to ceiling with tiles from floor to ceiling with tiles from Delft. Delft.

View from the Dutch House

Italian House

Hermitage and statue of goddess Flora on top

The Kitchen

Manager House

The Orangerie

TheThe OrangerieOrangerie (1761–1764) was designed by F. (1761–1764) was designed by F. ArgounovArgounov. It was not used as. It was not used as orangerie- orangerie- the lemons, oranges and pineapples served the guests at the lemons, oranges and pineapples served the guests at KuskovoKuskovo were actually grown in greenhouses outside the park. Rather, it was used as a were actually grown in greenhouses outside the park. Rather, it was used as a large banquet hall for guests. In the 1960s, it was turned into an exhibit hall large banquet hall for guests. In the 1960s, it was turned into an exhibit hall for the collections of porcelain. The museum in the for the collections of porcelain. The museum in the OrangerieOrangerie contains contains collections of fine porcelain assembled by Russian merchants and Empress collections of fine porcelain assembled by Russian merchants and Empress Maria Maria FedorovnaFedorovna before the Russian Revolution. before the Russian Revolution.

Drying House

Swiss House

Church of the Merciful Saviour

Church and Bell Tower

The The Park of Park of KuskovoKuskovo was created between 1750 and 1780 as a formal Garden à was created between 1750 and 1780 as a formal Garden à la la françaisefrançaise, with large ornamental parterres of flowers, carefully trimmed hedges, , with large ornamental parterres of flowers, carefully trimmed hedges, and alleys which met at either right or diagonal angles, ornamented with statues, and alleys which met at either right or diagonal angles, ornamented with statues, and lined with either rows of trees trimmed into spheres, large vases, orange trees, and lined with either rows of trees trimmed into spheres, large vases, orange trees, or myrtle trees trimmed into cones. Eight park alleys converge in a single point, or myrtle trees trimmed into cones. Eight park alleys converge in a single point, where the circular Hermitage pavilion (1764–77) now stands. where the circular Hermitage pavilion (1764–77) now stands.

Images and text: InternetTchaikovsky “Serenade for Strings in C Op48” (Waltz)

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