Wonders Of Russia. The history of the founding of Tsarskoye Selo

History of Tsarskoye Selo, or rather the area around the rivers Narva, Neva and Luga, known from the Novgorod Chronicles. The region of the Neva river was of strategic importance for local residents, there were important trade routes, which has long been a bone of contention for the Germans, Swedes and Russians.After the victory over the Swedes first, what did Peter I, who sought by all means to bring backward Russia to Europe, was the establishment of the new capital Санкт-Петербурга.

For the early settlement of these places, the Emperor started to distribute its close suburbs. The great Northern war had not yet ended, and Saint-Петербург already have acquired wonderful companions, which to this day I love to relax residents of the Northern capital.
From-за topography and a swampy area to build a new residence preferred in already rendered habitable places. One such place was the Sarskaya manor, the former estate of a Swedish tycoon.
the wooden house Itself was located in the same place where later was erected the building of the Catherine Palace.
Sarskaya manor, which was mentioned in the census books from 1501, gave its name to the summer residence of the Russian monarchs.Happy owner of Sarskoe manor with a light hand of Peter I was Alexander Menshikov. However, after a couple of years, the Emperor gave these lands to his beloved Martha skavronskaia. This gift was not only a sign of love, but a symptom of impending political change.

the first soon became the wife of Peter under the name Catherine, and Sarskoe the manor was assigned the role of the Imperial residence.
24 Jun 1710 is officially considered the date of Foundation of Tsarskoye Selo. After receiving a truly Royal gift Catherine began construction of a country Palace in Sarskoe scenic manor.

the First stone Palace on the site of the old manor house was built by Braunstein. The work lasted from 1717 to 1723. During this time the manor had to rebuild the many commercial and residential areas for workers.
In 1725 Sarskaya Myza was officially renamed into the Tsarskoe Selo. In those days, Tsarskoye Selo was one of many estates, and fabulous, the scope of new capital construction or the stormy life of the residence of Peter in Peterhof, the town never dreamed of.
After the death of Peter the Great and his wife Tsarskoye Selo moved to Elizabeth, who in those days lived modestly and influence at court is not used.
Luck to the Royal Village was marked by 1741. It was then, upon ascending the throne, Elizabeth had not forgotten their ancestral lands and made it the summer residence of the Russian emperors.There has been active construction, huge sums were spent on the best architects and gardeners, luxury and technical innovations.
During the reign of Elizabeth, Rastrelli began to rebuild the Catherine Palace – the best incarnation of the beloved Empress of the Baroque.Russian Baroque in those days was formed into a separate style and eclipsed in splendor the European equivalent.
For the Empress and Rastrelli built the unique Hermitage pavilion with retractable tables that were supposed to rid the guests from annoying scurrying servants.
Parks of Tsarskoye Selo was filled with artful ponds, buildings, Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Gothic style. The city acquired the Golden colors and filled with unprecedented luxury. Lush balls and entertainments followed each other under the shadow of Baroque cupids.
Which replaced the reign of Elizaveta Petrovna, Catherine II made a considerable contribution to the appearance of Tsarskoye Selo. The city acquired the gloss and aristocracy, as well as the most beautiful examples of classicism.In 34 years of the reign of the great Empress was built the Alexander Palace and the Cameron gallery, which has become a true temple of enlightened ruler in the ancient spirit.
Tsarskoye Selo together with the whole Russia experienced turbulent days of the great victories of politics and brilliant favorites.
After the death of the Empress for a long time the country was plunged into mourning – came to power, Paul, like his utterly deprived of the power of the father.
In the old days, he frowned and watched from the gloomy Gatchina fashionable life in Tsarskoye Selo. After his accession to the throne, some buildings were destroyed, and all the unfinished construction projects rose.

the nineteenth century brought to Tsarskoye Selo peace and calm. The era of great change for the city ended, there no longer was a Grand event, but the Tsar"s Village at-прежнему was the favorite resting place of the Imperial family.
Alexander, brought up by his grandmother, was a worthy heir. In the era of his reign, palaces of Tsarskoye Selo was completed and improved, obeying the spirit of the time.
However, to relax the family of Alexander I preferred in Peterhof and on Yelagin island. Only in 1808, Alexander turns his attention to the Tsar"s Village and personally took part in his accomplishment.
Alexander I was the last Emperor whose work has had a major impact on the city. Later Nicholas I paved the railroads here, Alexander II broke the new Park, and under Alexander III, the Tsar"s Village got the glory of the first fully electrified city in the world.However, the main Alexander I had to do. Hoping to produce good personnel for public service, the Emperor founded the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, what determined the city"s fate for many years to come.
the idea of the Lyceum as a source of manpower failed miserably, its graduates went down in history as brilliant freethinkers and writers. But from that moment begins the history of Tsarskoye Selo as the Town of the muses.
" Отечество for us is Tsarskoye Selo" – wrote Alexander Pushkin, and later he was echoed by Akhmatova, Gumilyov, Mandelstam and many others who grew up in Tsarskoye Selo the air and from a young age soak in the extraordinary atmosphere of this city.

In the XX century during the First world war, Tsarskoe Selo was located one of Russia"s first airfields, hence went in endless trains to the Western front.
the Fateful events of 1917 severely affected Tsarskoye Selo. Nicholas II, born here, made in 1905 for Tsarskoye Selo his permanent residence, covered him notorious.
In Tsarskoye Selo, the last Emperor of Russia, abdicated. Here in the Alexander Palace Romanov family was taken to Siberian exile.In Tsarskoye Selo the Bolsheviks had killed the first priest who discovered his death a series of reprisals against the Church.
For the Imperial residence came the dark days. Brilliant collections squandered, many works have disappeared without a trace, others suffered from lack of proper care.
In 1937, 100-летний anniversary of Alexander Pushkin, the town was renamed in honor of the poet.The most serious challenge to the Tsar"s Village in its entire history was the Great Patriotic war. The city survived the Nazi occupation, parks and gardens fell into disrepair, art barbarously destroyed or exported.
Catherine Palace was turned into a large garage, in the Alexander Palace settled the headquarters of the Gestapo and the Palace, the Church became a Parking lot.
Survived the war, Pushkin was able to recover and regain all its former lustre and beauty, which is-прежнему delights, gives inspiration and encourages us to do great things.

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