Lebanese Palace in Crimea. Livadia Palace in Crimea

The geographical location of Crimea, which provided the peninsula with a resort “destiny”, could not but affect the number of architectural monuments - there are a lot of them here. And this is not surprising: almost immediately after the annexation of Crimea to the Russian Empire, rich people flocked to the peninsula, wanting to have their own dachas here. Local lands were distributed to generals who distinguished themselves during the Russian-Turkish wars and to other equally important statesmen. The healing climate could not help but attract the attention of the country's elite - one after another they began to appear on the Black Sea coast palaces... And the most important of these palaces became the residence of the Russian emperors. An excursion to the Livadia Palace is especially popular today not only among admirers of the history of the royal family or the history of Russia in general, but also among ordinary tourists who have chosen the southern coast of Crimea as a vacation spot. Let's take a virtual tour of the Livadia Palace.

Location of Livadia Palace

The former southern residence of the emperors of Russia - - is located on the Black Sea coast, 3 kilometers from the city of Yalta in the village Livadia. It is a direct “competitor” of the Vorontsov Palace in the fight for the title of “the most luxurious palace in Crimea.” It is also known for the fact that at the end of the Great Patriotic War, a Yalta Allied Conference, which determined the post-war structure of the world.

History of the palace

The history of the Livadia Palace began in 1834, when Count Lev Semenovich Pototsky bought from the commander of the Greek battalion in Balaklava Theodosia Reveliotti estate Livadia(translated from Greek - “lawn”, “clearing”). Count Pototsky set about “reforms” on his estate: a manor house was erected according to the design of F. Elson, a beautiful landscape park was laid out, and greenhouses were built.

In 1861, the estate of Count Potocki became the summer residence of Alexander II and his family. Potocki's house, designed by Monighetti, was rebuilt in Grand Palace, the Small Palace (Palace of the Heir), the kitchen, the Suite House and the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross were completed. This was the first imperial residence in Livadia. In 1894, Emperor Alexander III died there.

After the changes in 1911, this “version” of the residence is usually called the second. One of the main changes was the construction of a new White Palace for Emperor Nicholas II, designed by architect N.P. Krasnova from Yalta. There is evidence that this construction cost the emperor 4 million gold rubles.

In general, from 1902 to 1916, the residence in Livadia experienced the following “reconstructions”:

• construction of the palace of the Minister of the Court, Baron Fredericks;
• construction of the Page (Svitsky) building;
• construction of a number of utility buildings;
• destruction of the Grand Palace in 1910;
• construction of the White Palace on the site of the destroyed Grand Palace.

In 1925, the White Palace began to be used as a sanatorium for peasants, transformed in 1931 into a medical climate plant. In February 1945, it hosted Yalta Conference of Leaders of the Allied Countries of the USSR, Great Britain and the USA. The American delegation led by the President of the United States lived right in the palace. The whole week I. Stalin, W. Churchill and F. Roosevelt discussed the fate of the post-war world.

In 1953, a sanatorium was reopened in the Livadia Palace, and in 1974, an exhibition exposition and two historical and memorial departments, located in the main halls and dedicated to... the Yalta Conference of 1945, opened in the palace. Finally, in 1993, the Livadia Palace acquired the status of a museum. Since the summer of 1994, in the former rooms of the imperial family, the exhibition “The Romanovs in Livadia” has been located, clearly showing the moments of three generations of emperors staying in the Livadia Palace. Today you can see both exhibitions: on the ground floor – “ Yalta Conference 1945", on the second - " Romanovs in Livadia».

The palace, built for “residents” of the highest rank, is still often used for its intended purpose: summits of heads of state are regularly held there (). And since 2004, participants in the Yalta International Strategy summits have become frequent guests of the palace in Livadia.

Architecture of the Livadia Palace

The Livadia Palace and Park Ensemble today includes:

• Grand Palace ;
• Page (Svitsky) Corps;
• palace Church of the Exaltation of the Cross;
• castle Baron Fredericks, Minister of the Court;
• a beautiful park with well-preserved fountains, gazebos and other structures from the pre-revolutionary period.

The Small Palace was destroyed during the Great Patriotic War.

Excursion to Livadia Palace

An excursion to the Livadia Palace is an excellent chance to “touch” the pages of the life of the main people of the Russian Empire. is rightfully considered one of the pearls of Crimea - it is extremely beautiful. The interior design reveals the tastes of the majestic owner: luxury and attention to external effect amazes even today. Magnificent stucco work opens before the visitor's eyes huge dining room, office, decorated in the Jacobean style, a lobby imitating rooms from the times of ancient Rome, a billiard room in the English style... - the palace has 116 separate rooms, three small light courtyards and one internal Great Courtyard! Open terraces, large windows, balconies and galleries, towers and bay windows are a real Renaissance era, although the main tone of the building is in the Art Nouveau style that was fashionable at the end of the nineteenth century. And all this was built from scratch in 17 months!

Today, the Livadia Palace Museum offers excursions to the two exhibitions described above. The duration of the excursions is 1 hour 30 minutes. Museum opening hours – from 10:00 to 19:00 (7 days a week). The cost of an excursion to the Livadia Palace is 70 hryvnia for adults, 25 hryvnia for children and students (you must have a student card with you).

The white stone palace, known to many as Livadia Palace, is rightfully considered the pearl of the Southern Coast of Crimea. It is not only a beautiful piece of architectural art, but also a historically significant place. The Livadia Palace is the last residence of the Romanov royal family; the legendary Yalta Conference of the Allies was held within its walls, which determined the contours of the post-war world. Many famous people visit here, historical films are filmed, and cultural events are held.

Lovely lawn

Talking about the history of the Livadia Palace, the guides begin in 1861, from the moment when Emperor Alexander II liked a plot of land on the southern coast of Crimea. It is here that a unique architectural ensemble. However, there is an interesting backstory.

In ancient times, the picturesque slope of Mount Magobi on the Black Sea coast became the second home for Greek immigrants from the Aegean Islands. Once upon a time there were spacious green fields here. Livadion means “lawn” in Greek. Hence the name of the entire area. Beautiful Livadia keeps evidence of different eras: copper, the Middle Ages, Byzantine influence. There are remains here ancient settlement and the Byzantine monastery of St. John.

After the annexation of Crimea to Russia in 1783, the territories of Livadia were donated by Catherine II to the brave Greek Lambros Katsonis, who fought in the flotilla of Alexei Orlov against Turkish ships. For services to Russia, Katsonis was promoted to the rank of captain and granted membership in the Russian nobility. It is very symbolic that it was a Greek who became the first private owner of Livadia lands. After participating in two Russian-Turkish campaigns, the warrior decides to start a peaceful life. He plants vineyards in Livadia and begins producing grape vodka. I wonder if Katsonis suspected that 100 years later Livadia wines would be valued on a par with European ones, Russian aristocrats would be proud of them, and the tables of Russian tsars would no longer be without Crimean strong drinks!

After the mysterious and tragic death of Katsonis, Livadia went to his successor in the Greek battalion, commander Theodosius Reveliotis. The new owner, as time has shown, was not only an experienced military man, but also an enterprising landowner. For 30 years, Reveleotis bought land from his subordinates, thereby expanding the vineyards planted by his predecessor. In the 30s of the 19th century, construction began on a road connecting Yalta with Simferopol and Sevastopol. Thanks to this, the popularity of Crimea as a resort began to grow, and the cost of land in Livadia jumped significantly. In 1834, Reveliotis sold the then modest house with vineyards to a Polish diplomat in the service of the Russian crown, Count Lev Potocki.

The new landowner, a real aristocrat, was uncontrollably in love with ancient art. The trip to Naples inspired Pototsky to improve the newly acquired lands. He collects everything Hellenic and dreams of making a small antique museum out of Livadia. Possessing a subtle sense of taste, he, together with the architect from Yalta Karl Aeschliman, begins to develop the concept of the estate. Over the course of 20 years, the estate has transformed from a small “country house with a flower garden” into a large architectural and landscape complex of 35 buildings with a grandiose park. The famous gardener Dellinger was invited to transform the 40 hectares of land around the manor house. He creates an exotic garden, combining Crimean and plants imported from Asia and America. A feature of the landscape design were intricate paths laid in such a way that every turn offered a new view.

Many of the buildings were spacious mansions with balconies decorated with wood carvings. This included a manor house with a winter garden, a hotel, a hospital, barracks, houses for winemakers, gardeners, a distillery and much more. Unfortunately, none of the buildings from Pototsky’s time have survived. However, the park has its original appearance and is still considered a monument of landscape art.

Royal residence

After Pototsky’s death in 1860, the count’s relatives began searching for buyers, wanting to quickly get rid of the estate and the associated economic hassles. And those who want to buy an exotic corner are quickly found. The estate attracts the attention of Russian Emperor Alexander II. The Tsar's wife, Empress Maria Alexandrovna, has consumption, and the Crimean coast, as is known, the best place for recovery. In 1861, the Appanage Department bought Livadia for the royal family. Thus begins a new milestone in the history of Livadia - the royal period.

The Pototskys' manor house is too small for the new owners. Additional premises for maintenance personnel are required. The Empress decides to expand the house, but to make everything “as simple as possible.” The reconstruction takes four years and 260 thousand rubles. The architect Ippolit Monighetti was invited to carry out the reconstruction. He added a front porch and winding staircases to the house. From now on, the building is called the Great Palace, although, in fact, it still remains a large rural house. Another palace appears - Maly. It is intended for the Grand Dukes and is made in the traditional style for the Southern Coast of Crimea. Neither the first nor the second building has survived to this day: At the beginning of the 20th century, the Grand Palace was completely rebuilt, and the Small Palace was blown up by the Germans before Hitler’s troops left Yalta. From that period, only the Turkish gazebo and the palace church, which was rebuilt from the Potocki Catholic chapel, have survived. The small elegant temple, decorated with stained glass windows and wood carvings, was built in the Byzantine style.

20 years after construction, the walls of the Small Palace from the foundation to the cornice were covered with cracks. Experts recommended demolishing the building, but every corner of it was dear to the royal family. Livadia by this time had become their favorite vacation spot. Alexander III, who ruled the country at that time, decided to dismantle the emergency buildings and reassemble them in a new place in their original form.

Soon the Grand Palace also required reconstruction. In 1904, experts recommended a major overhaul. Nicholas II and his wife, to whom the Livadia Palace passed, decide to demolish it and build a new one, now known as the White Palace. The construction was entrusted to the Russian architect Nikolai Petrovich Krasnov. The construction of the power plant, garage, and residential buildings for employees is being carried out by architect G.P. Gushchin. This time no expense is spared on construction. Livadia is becoming the calling card of the south of Russia. The most important guests are received here: diplomats, the German emperor, members of the British royal court, Greek and Romanian kings... Grandiose construction began in 1910. Two and a half thousand workers worked day and night, erecting a palace in the spirit of the Italian Renaissance in a surprisingly short period of time (17 months). The building is completely transformed, now it is decorated with arched windows, graceful arcades framed with fine carvings, and marble columns. The walls, made of white Inkerman stone, are covered with a special chemical composition to prevent weathering and contamination. Finally, a cozy nest for the imperial family is ready. However, fate is merciless. The Romanovs rest at the Livadia Palace only four times. On June 12, 1914, they leave the summer residence for the last time, unaware that they are saying goodbye to it forever. “And we were counting on a long stay in Livadia,” Nicholas II wrote on July 28, 1917 in his diary after the Provisional Government refused his request to settle after abdicating the throne in his favorite place.

From a peasant health resort to a museum

The protracted troubled times that have come to Russia are the saddest period in the life of the White Palace. On April 30, 1918, Livadia was occupied by German occupiers. The looting of the palaces begins. A large amount of furniture is exported to Simferopol, it is used to decorate the residence of the commander of the troops, General von Kosch, the officer’s quarters of the Landwehr division and the building where the new “regional government” is located. In the autumn of the same year, the Germans were replaced by Anglo-French troops. The former paradise is in disrepair.

In November 1920, with the establishment of Soviet power in Crimea, Livadia was nationalized and turned into the first peasant sanatorium. “Who was nothing will become everything” - now the peasants are improving their health in the former royal chambers. At the end of 1924, Livadia with the forest and park was transferred to the resort fund. In the summer of 1925, the world's first peasant sanatorium with 300 beds was opened. Simple people finally begin to feel like people. Proletarian poets and writers perform for vacationers. In 1927, Vladimir Mayakovsky visited the Livadia sanatorium. He read his poems with inspiration and later, in the poem “Miracles,” he vividly described his meeting with the peasants in the former royal House.

In 1928, Maxim Gorky visited Livadia. “Abroad, out of old habit, they are inventing new tsars for Russia, but there is no trace of the old Russia, and in the former royal palaces Former old men are sitting, looking out the window. Fine! Very good!” he shared his impressions.

In 1931, the peasant sanatorium was transformed into a climatic treatment plant. In the 30s, new health resorts were built on its territory: the People's Commissariat of Agriculture of the USSR, Soyuzkurort - “Udarnik”, All-Russian Central Council of Trade Unions-2, in which more than 1,600 people rested.

However, “Good”, which Maxim Gorky wrote about, did not last long. In November 1941, Livadia was occupied by the Nazi invaders. During the Great Patriotic War, the Livadia health resort suffered enormous damage. During this tragic period, the “remains of luxury” of the Grand Palace were completely plundered, the small palace and the health resort buildings were completely destroyed, medical and household equipment was taken away, and the suite building was burned.

In April 1944, Livadia was liberated by troops of the Separate Primorsky Army. The miraculously surviving White Palace becomes an international diplomatic arena. Three months before the end of the war, from February 4 to 11, 1945, the Yalta Conference was held here, at which the leaders of the three victorious states met - the USSR, England and the USA. It is here that the powers that be decide the issue of the post-war world order. The choice of the meeting place was proposed by the American delegation due to the deteriorating health of President Roosevelt. Less than nine months have passed since the liberation of Crimea. In the conditions of devastation, the organizers faced a difficult task: to quickly prepare the residences for receiving high-ranking guests. 1,500 wagons of equipment, building materials and furniture are being driven to the southern coast of Crimea. Roosevelt is accommodated in the Livadia Palace, Churchill in Alupka, Stalin stays in the Yusupov Palace in Koreiz. Negotiations are held in the largest and most beautiful room of the Livadia Palace - the White Hall. It is here that the Big Three reshape the post-war world and decide to create the United Nations.

After the Yalta Conference, the Livadia Palace was used as a state dacha for eight years. Stalin stayed here twice. There is evidence that shortly before his death, Joseph Vissarionovich inquired about the fate of Livadia and was upset to hear that party workers were using the residence for personal interests. Stalin orders the palace to be returned to the people. In 1953, a sanatorium was reopened in Livadia.

In 1974, by decision of the All-Russian Central Council of Trade Unions and the Central Council for the Management of Trade Union Resorts, historical, memorial and exhibition departments were opened in the White Palace. Visitors had the opportunity to get acquainted with the exhibition “Crimean (Yalta) Conference of 1945”, located in the main halls.

In 1993, the Livadia Palace received the status of a museum. On July 16, 1994, in the former rooms of the royal family on the second floor of the palace, the exhibition “The Romanovs in Livadia” was placed, telling about the life and recreation of three generations of Russian emperors on the Livadia estate.

Today, the legendary White Palace is a traditional meeting place for politicians, artist exhibitions, and a unique arena for holding public events and music competitions. The picturesque area and classical architecture are wonderful settings for filming films. It is no coincidence that the picturesque Livadia estate has become a popular scene for the creation of many films. “The Headless Horseman”, “Dog in the Manger”, “Anna Karenina”, “The Gadfly”, “Othello”, “Twelfth Night”, “Ten Little Indians” were created here...

If we consider photo of Livadia Palace in Crimea, it is difficult to imagine the atmosphere that reigns inside him, to feel his energy. The building has had several owners throughout its history, so its appearance and interior decoration changed periodically. Livadia Palace is located in the Republic of Crimea in the village of Livadia. This is the former southern residence of the Russian emperors. Guided by Article 412 (continued) of volume ten of the first Code of Laws of the Russian Empire, Livadia, being the property of the Imperial House, was considered personal property, could be divisible, and could also be transferred by will to parts of its persons. As a result of events, the luxurious monastery became the venue for the Yalta Allied Conference, which influenced the post-war structure of the world.

So, before you know Livadia Palace address, it is recommended to briefly familiarize yourself with its history. In 1834, the city of Livadia became the property of a wealthy Pole, Lev Polotsk. From this moment the story begins architectural monument. On the orders of a rich Pole, a luxurious palace was erected according to the design of the architect Eshliman. Beautiful park, laid out around the palace, occupied 40 hectares. Having been inherited by the wife of Emperor Alexander II, 1902-1916 were the years of its restructuring and the appearance of the Small Palace, destroyed during the Second World War, under the leadership of architects N.P. Krasnov and I. Monighetti, with the help of a young man Alexander Rotach, who later became famous restorer.

Livadia Palace

All long history of Livadia Palace permeated with stories associated with royal families and aristocracy. This building was made in a light Italian style. It was intended for the future monarch - Alexander III. The transition between the 19th and 20th centuries in architecture was marked by the emergence of a fashionable trend, which is attributed to the design of residential-type buildings, following an unusual sequence called “from the inside out” by architects. That is, the facade of the building was developed first, and then the layout inside. The White Livadia Palace was such an innovation.

The compositional center of the complex was made by the master in the form of an Italian patio-inner courtyard and a large number of rooms of different sizes attached to it.

Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin at the Yalta Conference in the courtyard of the palace from February 4 to February 11, 1945.

Taking into account the existing stylistic rules of the Renaissance, the classical Italian courtyard was surrounded on all sides by arches. Original radial paths, made like a mosaic, lined with diorite slabs, converged in the center. If we consider photo of Livadia Palace from Crimea, several features can be noted. In the courtyard, there were intricately shaped marble benches for relaxation. Interesting feature The palace is an Arabic courtyard - a well, which is a specific illuminator for rooms from which there is no access to the courtyard. The lower floor of the Livadia Palace consists of the following rooms:

• The front waiting room, in the design of which a noble shade of “dark walnut” was used, was also matched with drapery fabric in dark tones. Large ornamental details, designed in the Renaissance style, decorated this room (there are elegant rosettes on the wooden ceiling, and on the walls there are protruding cornices characteristic of that time, on which paintings and crafts of the royal children were installed). The interior of this room, according to history of the Livadia Palace in Crimea, decorated using warm colors. Its decoration is an openwork chandelier made from Murano glass, ordered from Italy.
• The White Hall (dining room), the interior of which is unique in its kind. Its four large columns, decorated with marble capitals belonging to the Corinthian order, set a solemn tone for the entire room. The ceiling of the hall is separated from the walls by an ornamental belt depicting the coats of arms of all major provinces of Russia. The dining room was illuminated, at Krasnov’s insistence, with electric lamps. In this way, it was possible to highlight the reliefs of the ceiling and walls of the room. The sculpture of Penelope, installed in a niche on the eastern side of the room, became a real decoration of the White Hall inside the Livadia Palace.
• The Emperor's front office. If you study photo inside Livadia Palace, it is made in a strict Jacobean style. The top walls of the room are decorated with golden silk, the doors, sofa and mirror are finished in mahogany with a touch of bronze. The relief ornament of the ceiling is completed by a crystal chandelier with gilded bronze. A chair with a reading stand is an amazing detail for comfort.
• The billiard room, which was decorated in English style, according to the fashion of that time. The walls of this room are lined with carved chestnut wood. The ceiling of the playing room is made of pressed cardboard, painted with oil paints and looks like wood.
• office - Roosevelt's laboratory.

The upper floor is also distinguished by the variety of interiors presented, which have been restored many times over the course of their existence, taking on the characteristics of a particular era and its style. Thus, Livadia Palace inside Worth seeing, perhaps more than once. There is an opinion that with different natural light its halls will look completely different. For example, a clear day makes the rooms spacious, bright, and rainbow-colored, while the absence of sunlight makes them gloomy, mysterious, and terrifying.

The palace is a two-story building, so today tourists can visit its upper tier. The rooms here are characterized by a special style of decoration. The second floor consists of rooms:

• The upper office of the emperor, the arrangement of which fully reflected the style of the Modernist era and the taste of the emperor himself. The design of the room is made in a calm gray-green color with the addition of warm shades. The space of the room is zoned (for work and rest) using furniture. The “highlight” of the Upper Cabinet is the handmade carpet, which was given to the Romanov house by the Persian Shah. Despite the fact that on the web pages you can find photo of Livadia Palace inside with description, you need to see it with your own eyes.
• The empress's study, the interior of which is dominated by light-colored wood, makes the room brighter and more elegant. There is a special desk with a built-in drawing board, as its owner loved to draw.
• The bedchamber of Their Majesties, which has a little secret - a panic button for calling security. The chic room of the Livadia Palace is made in light colors and is also furnished with furniture made of bleached maple wood. The bedroom walls are covered with printed cotton fabric. Two adjacent beds are located under a silk canopy.
• The Empress's boudoir, intended for family gatherings, was used as a living room. The white piano harmonizes perfectly with the light decoration of this room. Everyone can find where it is Livadia Palace on the map, however, few people know that the taste of the empress, who loves to play music, is revealed by expensive paintings, original vases and exquisite decorative details that fit perfectly into the interior of the boudoir.
• Small family dining room decorated with yew wood by craftsman Schilling. The decoration of the cozy dining room is a buffet topped with unusual carved elements.

The highlight of the palace are the fireplaces. They are located in each room and decorated differently. Thus, in the Front Waiting Room, the fireplace is decorated with dark green marble and lined with bronze. This combination of materials did not intimidate with its excessiveness and was in perfect harmony with the panels and drapery. The fireplace of the White Hall is made in Italian style. In order to emphasize the stylistic feature of the Emperor's Front Office, a fireplace made of white marble was transported there from the old building. The master installed it so that its top slab rested on a 4-sided column, the crown of which was a sculptural image of a head. The fireplace on the second floor inside the Upper Study is decorated with dark bronze; inside the Study Study, which belonged to the Empress, it is lined with white tiles and also framed by a frame made of a wooden ash bookcase with a mirror mounted in its upper part. The decoration, as well as the color accent, of Their Majesties’ Bedchamber is a green fireplace, bordered by a bookcase with small maple cabinets. Inside the Small Family Dining Room there is a fireplace lined with ceramic tiles and framed with dark metal.

If the tourist does not know, how to get from Yalta to Livadia Palace, he can use the services of any excursion bureau or simply buy a ticket at the bus station to Livadia. Having arrived at the place, you can take a taxi or wait regular bus, which stops near the historical landmark.

Russia, Republic of Crimea, Yalta urban district, urban settlement Livadia, Baturina street, 44A
Phone +7 3654 31-55-81, +7 3654 31-55-79

Amazing and interesting Crimean land! In Crimea, each village has its own climate, and the weather changes every hour. Because, despite the small size of the peninsula, there are mountains and steppes, beaches and cliffs. Crimea has long been famous for its historical sights: rock-cut temples and monasteries, Taurus burial grounds, ancient and cave cities, Scythian mounds. One of the wonderful rest stops on your way can be Livadia hotels.

In the valley of two mountain rivers, on south coast Crimean peninsula, extends the popular resort of Yalta. The city on land is surrounded by a semi-ring of mountains reaching 1437 meters. The unique climate of the Greater Yalta region has attracted people here for many centuries. And since then, numerous monuments and attractions of Yalta have been preserved.

Livadia Palace is the summer residence of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II, the last in the history of Russia, in the town of Livadia. For many, it is unthinkable without visiting this iconic landmark of the peninsula. This beautiful monument of architectural art begins its history in 1834, when Pole Lev Potocki bought Livadia. And a palace is being erected according to the design of K. I. Eshliman, and around the gardener Delinger is laying out a park on 40 acres of land.

Empress Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Alexander II, acquired the estate in 1860. The palace and vineyards are being rebuilt right away. Also, for the heir and future Emperor Alexander III, a Small Palace was built according to the design of I. L. Monighetti, which in every way resembles the one in Bakhchisarai.

In 1891, Tsar Nicholas II received all this as a summer “dacha”. The two old palaces no longer met the needs of the royal family, and in 1904 it was decided to demolish and build a new palace. N.P. Krasnov developed the design of the palace, and its construction began in 1910. The building is being built quickly and on a grand scale: 2,500 workers worked for 17 months around the clock, and the walls are made of white Inkerman stone. The interior decoration was made in Moscow and many other art centers of the country according to Krasnov’s sketches. And by 1911, the new Grand Palace was already proudly rising, at the same time with which the Forentine courtyard, the retinue building, the palace church, and the palace of the minister of the court were built. The entire palace complex is successfully integrated into the surrounding landscape: the sides are most open to the sun.

• 1925 - becomes a Soviet sanatorium;
• 1931 - climatic treatment plant;
• 1945 - the Crimean Conference of the heads of three coalition governments was held;
• 1953 - again a trade union sanatorium;
• 1974 - becomes a museum with memorial and art departments.

Near Livadia in the village of Oreanda you can see the church architecture presented

Three kilometers from Yalta is one of the luxurious Crimean buildings - the Livadia Palace, located on the slope of the foothills of the Ai-Petrinskaya Yayla. Livadia attracts tourists from all over the world with its extraordinary combination of luxurious subtropical nature, the exquisite beauty of the white palace and the magic of memory of great events and people who were here. This place had a huge impact on the development of the entire region and played a role in the fate of the whole world.

Photo of Livadia Palace:

On a note:

Since 1861, the estate in Livadia acquired the status of the southern residence of the Russian emperors. The building of the white Livadia Palace was built in 1811 using technical innovations of that period.

History of the Livadia Palace

Over time, the picturesque “lawn” (Livadia in Greek) turned into the estate of the Polish magnate Potocki. From this moment the story of Livadia begins:

• In 1860, Emperor Alexander II of Russia was looking for a place on the southern coast of Crimea for climatic treatment of his wife. For this purpose, an estate in Livadia, owned by Prince Pototsky, was purchased. After visiting the estate, the royal family decides to rebuild it. In 1861, the court architect Monighetti was assigned to do this. Work on the project continued for more than five years, and in 1866 the transformed Livadia appeared before the eyes of the august persons. Monighetti rebuilt and rebuilt about 70 buildings. He managed to so organically fit new buildings into the surrounding landscape and feel Crimean nature that the palace, stylized as Tatar houses, delighted anyone who came to this corner of Crimea.
• The appearance of the royal estate in the neighborhood of Yalta gave a powerful impetus to the development of the city. The new owners of the Crimean palace, namely Alexander III and his family, also loved to visit Livadia. The Emperor continued work on further transformation of Yalta, and by 1890 the city became one of the best resorts Europe.
• In 1894, in the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Livadia, the new Emperor of Russia Nicholas II took the oath of allegiance to the Fatherland. After the troubled beginning of the 20th century, the spirit of romanticism did not fade away in the minds and feelings of the Russian intelligentsia. Therefore, when commissioning the Yalta architect Krasnov to rebuild a summer residence, the royal couple’s attention turned to the architectural traditions of the Italian Renaissance - a romantic symbol of progress and spiritual blossoming. It was decided to demolish the old Pototsky house, designed by Monighetti, to the ground. In the spring of 1910, the foundation stone for a new future palace took place. Krasnov’s talent performs a miracle - in almost a year and a half, a wonderful white palace grows on the Crimean coast. Seeing the renewed Livadia in September 1911, Emperor Nicholas II was shocked by the beauty of the complex created by Krasnov.
• After the revolution, the looting of the palace begins, abandoned to the arbitrariness of officials. Entire collections of paintings, art objects and antiquities are exported from Livadia. In 1925, the government decided to organize the world's first sanatorium for peasants in the palace, which existed until the Great Patriotic War.
• The Second World War came to the territory of Crimea and damaged many buildings of the Livadia complex. In February 1945, the eyes of the whole world were focused on Livadia - the heads of the most powerful powers came to the palace: F. Roosevelt (USA), W. Churchill (England), I. Stalin (USSR). This event remains in world history under the name of the Crimean or Yalta Conference.
• When the turbulent war years passed, the Livadia Palace turned into a closed party dacha. For eight years he was surrounded by a high, featureless fence with armed guards at every gate. In February 1953, Stalin ordered the transfer of Livadia to the trade unions. A sanatorium for workers is being reopened here.
• In 1974, several state rooms on the ground floor were dedicated to the memorial to the Crimean Conference. In 1993, the creation of a museum began under the arches of the palace. Through the crumbs and small fragments into which merciless time has broken Livadia’s memory and soul, her former appearance is restored.

Note:
Today the Livadia Palace is open to everyone. It again became one of the spiritual centers of Crimea, and the temple became a place of peace for the human soul.

Decoration of the Livadia Palace

The palace building was so skillfully integrated into the surrounding landscape by Krasnov that it is illuminated by the sun from all sides. The interiors of the interiors have high artistic value.

• The structure of the main building of the Romanov summer residence complex was thought out by Krasnov with love and care. The white palace building is artfully integrated into a sprawling subtropical park. The building is surrounded by balconies, from which a wonderful view of Yalta, the sea and the surrounding area opens. There is a natural solarium on the roof, accessible by an elevator.
• The palace, intended for recreation, has five state rooms. The largest room in the building is the white main hall. In order not to clutter the ceiling, decorated with stone carvings, 300 lamps are installed in the frieze. Receptions were held here and balls were given.
• On the second floor of the building there is a study room where Nicholas II received ministers and met with foreign guests and solved urgent government issues. There were also princely rooms, chambers of the empress, game rooms and study rooms here. Light wood, especially in the imperial chambers, gave a warm, sublime tone to everything around. Comfort and Art Nouveau furnishings created a feeling of celebration and joy. The small dining room is furnished very modestly but comfortably. The music room with small balconies offers a beautiful view of Livadia and Yalta.

Italian courtyard

A truly remarkable creation by Krasnov is the Italian courtyard. There are many doors leading here from the white hall and rooms on the first floor. In the center of the courtyard there was a well, which was later replaced with a fountain. Flowerbeds laid out along the paths are framed by symmetrical rows of columns. Cool marble benches and antique-style lanterns recreate the atmosphere of a real Italian Renaissance courtyard. The empress and her children loved to relax in the shade of the colonnades. On the side of the church there is a gate of extraordinary beauty, as if made of metal flowers and vines. This is a favorite place for filmmakers.

On a note:
In addition to the Italian courtyard, there is another one, called “Arab” for the amazing beauty of the majolica decorating its walls. This tall light well illuminates the interior of the palace.

Palace Park

The park area surrounding the palace always delights those who come to Livadia. In cozy corners with excellent panoramas you can sit and think under the soothing sound of the sea. The gardeners tried to make people walking through the park feel like they were in different countries peace. Plants brought from all over the world took root well under the warm Crimean sun. Above creation park ensemble The best specialists of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden worked.

Church of the Exaltation of the Cross

Next to the palace, a small house church was built, designed for the royal family and its immediate circle. Not many architectural masterpieces created by Monighetti have survived, but the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, built in the Byzantine style with elements of Georgian temple construction, has remained almost unchanged. The church is a single-domed building with high arched windows decorated with carved frames. Near the temple there was built an elegant belfry with 6 bells, decorated with carved ornaments, and a marble column with inscriptions in Turkish and Arabic.

Video review of the palace

Excursions to the palace

During the holiday season, the doors of the palace are open to tourists from 10:00 to 20:00 daily. Excursion services to the exhibitions are provided:

1. Main sightseeing tour
2. Yalta Conference
3. Romanovs in Livadia
4. Royal Solarium

How to get to Livadia Palace

From the Yalta Bus Station there are buses numbered 11, 100 and 108. You can use minibus No. 5, 11, 27 or 32. Stop "Livadia". A five-minute walk through the park leads to the Livadia Palace.

A trip to Livadia provides an opportunity to plunge into the flow of time, feel a connection with the past and the opportunity to better understand the present.

Livadia Palace on the map of Crimea

GPS Coordinates: 44° 28′ 3.48″ N 34° 8′ 36.64″ E Latitude/Longitude