Let’s go to 1714 and look at the monument of architecture in the style of «Peter’s Baroque». The palace was built according to Peter’s sketches and the construction was completed in 1723. Peter 1 himself gave instructions on where to build the palace, how it should look and what design it would be. The German architect Johann Friedrich Braunstein was chosen as the architect, who developed the project for the future palace.

The palace is located near the water, small (relative to other palaces) and cozy. It should remind Peter of his beloved Holland, the sea should be visible from the windows, and the palace itself should resemble a ship.

It was the most beloved country palace of the sovereign. Solemn receptions and meetings with foreign ambassadors of Peter 1 were held here. The palace was actively used after Peter. Catherine II arranged dinners here with relatives and friends.

View of the sea from the gallery of Monplaisir Palace View of the sea from the gallery of Monplaisir Palace

Let’s take a walk around the palace and take a look at the interiors and details captured through my camera lens. When we entered this cozy palace, we entered one of the galleries. Many canvases that hang here, and throughout the palace, were collected by Peter. I didn’t shoot the canvases in the photo (when you shoot both photos and videos, and listen to the tour out of the corner of your ear, some details, sometimes important ones, are missed), but I paid attention to the painting of the ceiling and floor tiles. That’s why they got me hooked.

I am generally one of those who does not miss the opportunity to remove the floor, ceiling and windows / doors, almost manically. I have a decent collection of these architectural pieces from all over the world.

One of the details of the ceiling painting:

Next we get into the lacquer room. This is the East corner of the palace. The walls of the office are decorated with black panels painted in oriental style. There are many shelves around, on which there is porcelain, which was incredibly valued at that time.

For some reason, they ask to pass through this room quickly without stopping, I managed to shoot only a couple of shots.

And now we get into the living room and kitchen. And you know what surprised you the most? Water pipes! Even in the time of Peter the Great, there was not only water in the Monplaisir Palace, but also hot water! All this was engineered with the participation of Peter 1 and was in a single system with fountains. And I again raise my head up, and I am surprised at the painting and stucco on the ceiling.

Nevertheless, I grabbed a few details of the interior in the photo, see the rest as part of a large video about St. Petersburg, a link to which I will leave at the end. The walls are finished with noble waxed oak

And now we get into the office of Peter 1. It is made in a marine style.

Peter’s bedroom. It preserved many things that belonged to him personally in everyday life. For example, a basin for washing.

One of the members of our tour group asked why the blanket on the bed is so small, it does not close the bed. It turns out that the fabrics were natural and it just sat down from time to time. And again we raise our heads up and look at the murals.

And tiles on the wall. But the handiwork of that time. Each tile is a masterpiece:

The last room and the exit. The palace is really small and cozy.

“The rooms at Monplaisir are small but very comfortable, and there is a noticeable imitation of Dutch economy and neatness in the kitchens, as well as in the paved terrace on the seashore, overshadowed by linden trees, like the canals of The Hague.”

French Ambassador Campredon

Bust of Peter 1 Bust of Peter 1

I hope you enjoyed this article. Watch our video about the sights of St. Petersburg: