A r c h a n g e l s k o y e   -   A n   A u t u m n   S o n g

"...I like the nature's fending. It's magnificent!                  
The woods are clothed in gold and purple at present... "

A.S.Pushkin, "Autumn"(VII), 1833  

      The best way to study Moscow autumn is a visit to one of many architectural ensembles created in the vicinity of Moscow. My favorite ensemble is Archangelskoye. In this ensemble of the Russian Classical style everything harmonizes - the place, the main courtyard surrounded by a majestic colonnade, the regular park of rare beauty and the grill-work of the main gates.

Arhangelskoye was first mentioned in the 16th century. In the middle of the 17th century the Archangel Mikhail church (photo left) was built in the village's center on the high bank of the Moskva river.

The appearance of the village began to change in the first third of the 18th century when Prince D.M. Golitsin build a new residence outside the village and surrounded it with a "French garden". In 1809 Prince N.A.Golitsin commissioned the French architect De Gerne to create a palace ensemble (photo right).

      Now, we can find a spirit of French in this ensemble. So, during my visit to Versal, I understood, that I know many parts of Versal ensemble, such as main palace, large park and remembered, that I saw it in Archangelskoye (photo below).

      In 1810 Arhangelskoye was purchased by Prince N.B. Yusupov, one of the richest Russian nobles, a known collector and art lover. In the spring of 1812, after the completion of the palace the prince's collection of art, known not only in Russia but throughout Europe, was moved here. It included over 500 paintings by European 17th-19th century masters. Together with the ñollection of first-rate sculpture (photo left and right below), furniture, china and bronze they create an interior ensemble of rare beauty.

      The Archangelskoye estate was seriously damaged during the Napoleon's invasion and the fire of 1820. But by 1825 the place was restored. The latest structure on the estate is the Yusupov burial vault built in Archangelskoye by the architect R.I.Klein in 1916. This burial vault was never used. It now houses a part of the collection of paintings and ceramics. This building especially beautiful at autumn then golden trees mixed with green firs (photo below).

      One of the most beautiful parts of ensemble is the park. I like to walk through its lanes, visit a bust of great Russian poet A.S.Pushkin (photo left), who visited this ensemble in 1827 and 1830, study it's ruin-arch (photo right).

      I like to walk threw the bank of Moskva river and give eat for wild ducks (photo left) and watch young girl, who used golden leaves for her chaplet (photo right).

      Good buy Arhangelskoye. The golden chaplet of vicinity of Moscow!

     
      Photoes and text - Nikolas Nosov, 2001

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