Chimera Stock Photography

Statues of chimeras on the facade of the palace. Massandra Crimea, Ukraine.. Massandra palace of Emperor Alexander III is located in the Upper Massandra on the southern coast of Crimea. Now it is the Palace Museum - a branch of Alupka palace and park museum reserve. After the annexation of Crimea to Russia Massandra owned by French Rear Admiral Charles, Prince of Nassau-Siegen, the landowner Matvey Nikitin, Sophia K. Potocki, Olga Stanislavovna Naryshkin, Alexandra Bronevsky, family Vorontsov. Construction of the palace began in 1881 by order of Prince Semyon Mikhailovich Vorontsov. The project is in the style of Louis XIII was designed by Etienne Bouchard. In 1882, on the death of Prince Vorontsov palace construction stopped. In 1889 the estate was purchased by Specific department for Alexander III. From 1892 to 1902 the construction of the palace ensemble continued with the project of Maximilian Messmacher. Construction led the architect Oscar Emilevich Wegener. The palace belonged to Alexander III, then Nicholas II. Visiting monarchs Tauris frequented in the palace, but never stayed there overnight. In 1822, when OS Naryshkina famous German gardener, founder of Alupka Park, Carl Kebahom laid in Massandra park in English style.