The Great Palace Museum-reserve `Tsaritsyno» Editorial Photo

In 1785, the Empress Catherine II came to Tsaritsyno to inspect the almost finished country residence and left dissatisfied. The halls seem cramped to her. Ceilings are low. Already almost ready, the Main building Catherine orders to demolish to the ground and start building again. Court architect Vasily Bazhenov is suspended from work. The preparation of a new plan is entrusted to his student Matvey Kazakov.In place of the dismantled building, the Cossacks are building a Grand Palace with a high Central gallery-a symbol of the greatness and power of the Russian Empress. In comparison with Bazhenov`s creation, the new Palace has more Gothic details – this is the original desire of Catherine. Pointed towers. Arches and Lancet Windows. At the same time, the Grand Palace is a monument of Russian classicism in architecture. This is evidenced by its balanced and harmonious proportions.The original Cossacks is going to make the Palace the three — storey villas with large side housings. But Catherine II orders to simplify the project: the budget has to be saved because of the Russian-Turkish war. In addition, in 1791, Grigory Potemkin — the actual mastermind of the Tsaritsyn construction-died.By 1796, the Grand Palace was almost ready — only the roof was covered with a temporary black roof without decorative elements. Finishing work begins. But then Catherine II suddenly dies. All work in Tsaritsyn stops.