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The Petrovsky Palace – a gem of Russian neo-Gothic architecture

No comments · Posted by Sergei Rzhevsky in Architecture , Cities , Photos

The Petrovsky Palace was built as stopover palace at the entrance to Moscow from St. Petersburg . It is an example of Russian neo-Gothic architecture.

The palace was built by the order of Catherine II in 1776-1780 after the victory in the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774 as a residence for nobility to rest after a long journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Photos by av_otus

During the French Invasion of Russia (the Patriotic War of 1812), after the great fire in Moscow, French Emperor Napoleon stayed for a while in the palace. In 1896, during the coronation of Nicholas II, a lot of people died at Khodynka field because of mass stampede. This field is located just opposite the palace.

In 1920, the Petrovsky Palace was transferred to the Air Force Engineering Academy. Since 1997, it is managed by the administration of Moscow city. March 5, 2009 the palace was opened after the 11-year renovation.

Today the Petrovsky Palace is used as luxury hotel and meeting venue. The address: Moscow, Leningradsky prospekt, 40. The nearest metro station: “Dinamo”. The location of the palace on Google Maps .

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Petrovsky palace

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Peter's Palace in Moscow

• Dinamo • 8 min walk

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Around Dinamo Metro Station

Petrovsky travellers palace.

The Petrovsky Travellers Palace was completed in the late 18th century in the Russian gothic style according to a plan by the architect Matvey Kazakov. It was built on the orders of Empress Catherine the Great to serve as an imperial residence when travelling from St Petersburg to Moscow, although the boundaries of the capital have now long since incorporated the palace. In 1812 Napoleon very briefly used the palace as his base during his occupation of Moscow and left it in ruins upon fleeing the city. It was only restored during the reign of Emperor Nicholas I. After the Revolution the palace was nationalised. Recently the palace was converted into a luxury hotel - Petroff Palace Hotel - which opened in 2009. The park surrounding the palace is known as Petrovsky Park.

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Peter's Palace in Moscow

• Dinamo • 8 min walk

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Peter's Palace in Moscow (2024) All You MUST Know Before You Go (with Photos)

Peter's Palace in Moscow

• Dinamo • 8 min walk

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Peter's Palace in Moscow - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Petrovsky Travel Palace - tours and photos

Table of contents:, petrovsky travel palace: history, restoration and reconstruction of the moscow petrovsky palace at the end of the 20th at the beginning of the 21st century, petrovsky travel palace: excursions, wedding at the petrovsky palace in moscow, marriage registration at the petrovsky palace, photography in the petrovsky palace.

2024 Author : Harold Hamphrey | [email protected] . Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

The brilliant era of the reign of Catherine II left behind many magnificent palaces, such as the Gatchina, Marble, Tauride, Catherine and Tsaritsyn palace complexes, which today are the decoration of both Russian capitals. Among such architectural structures is the Petrovsky Travel Palace in Moscow. It is located near the Dynamo metro station, at 40 Leningradsky Prospekt.

The construction of the Petrovsky Travel Palace was started in 1776 by order of Empress Catherine II, who wished to have a comfortable residence on the way from St. Petersburg to Moscow, where one could rest before the solemn entrance to Zlatoglavaya. Construction lasted four cities, and although in the summer of 1780 the architect Matvey Kazakov had already reported on the completion of work to the Moscow mayor, for the first time the eminent customer honored the new travel palace with her presence only seven years later. Moreover, according to legend, Catherinestated that during her stay in this residence she feels under the protection of the people and does not need bodyguards. The next royal guest, Pavel the First, spent a few days there before his coronation in 1797, thus marking the beginning of a century-old tradition according to which Russian monarchs rested in this at that time residence near Moscow before being crowned king in the Moscow Kremlin. In 1812, the Petrovsky Travel Palace became the headquarters of the Emperor Napoleon for four days, and in 1896, on the day of the bloody tragedy on the Khodynka field, a solemn dinner was organized here in honor of the coronation of Nicholas II. In the Soviet period (since 1923), the building was transferred to the Academy of the VF. N. E. Zhukovsky and was used as the main administrative building of this educational institution until 1997.

In 1998, the Petrovsky Travel Palace was transferred under the jurisdiction of the Moscow government, and a major overhaul was carried out here, including the modernization of communications and the restoration of interior interiors. All restoration work lasted until 2009. As a result, this magnificent historical and architectural monument turned into the House of Receptions of the Moscow City Hall, and part of its premises were converted into a four-star hotel with a swimming pool, a Russian bathhouse and the Karamzin restaurant, which serves French, Italian and Russian cuisine. Moreover, inThe halls on the first floor occasionally host chamber music concerts and a variety of cultural events, which can be accessed by special invitations or through tickets distributed through concert agencies.

The palace is an excellent example of 18th century architecture, so at any time of the year there are many who want to get there on an excursion. The standard program of such a visit to this palace complex includes a group walk, accompanied by a guide, through the Front Courtyard, the Hall of Columns, the Kazakovskaya Stairs, the front domed hall and the anterooms of the second floor. However, the most interesting thing is a visit to the palace mini-museum, where exhibits are presented that tell about the history of the construction and reconstruction of the palace, about coronation celebrations held here throughout the 18-19 centuries, as well as events during the occupation of Moscow by the French in 1812. Tourists can also take a walk in the magnificent landscape park, laid out in 1827 under the guidance of the architect Tamantsev, who is engaged in the restoration of the complex after it was devastated by the retreating Napoleonic army.

Those who are going to visit the Petrovsky Palace in Moscow need to know that tickets for excursions are sold at the tour desk located at Zubovsky Boulevard, 2, and they must be purchased in advance. Moreover, if a tourist is going to photograph the interior or take pictures in the courtyard, then a special photo is needed.ticket.

3 decades ago, our mothers and fathers were delighted if they managed to register their marriage at the Wedding Palace instead of signing “quickly” at the registry office at the place of residence. Today the situation has changed, and modern newlyweds have the opportunity to hold a wedding ceremony in the main halls, where Russian monarchs, aristocrats, as well as famous writers and musicians have repeatedly visited. In particular, the Petrovsky Travel Palace is a great place for such a celebration, a wedding in which will be an unforgettable event and a good start to family life for any couple in love.

In 2012, the Moscow authorities allowed the Petrovsky Palace to be used as a venue for weddings. Marriage registration on the territory of this luxurious architectural complex is possible after submitting an application at the Tver registry office. During each month, 2-4 days are allocated for weddings, depending on the season, and the newlyweds are allowed to invite up to 20-40 guests to the offsite official registration ceremony lasting about 45 minutes. At the request of the newlyweds, the wedding can take place to the sounds of classical music performed by a string quartet, and champagne will be served to guests in liveries, sewn according to the uniforms worn by servants in the 18th century.

Besides, as already mentioned,some rooms of the palace complex are reserved for a comfortable hotel, so the newlyweds can spend a romantic night here and meet the dawn in real royal chambers.

Anyone who wants to get a chic photo album as a keepsake of their wedding can be recommended to choose the Petrovsky Travel Palace as the place of marriage registration. Photos from such an outdoor ceremony against the backdrop of luxurious interiors in the Empire style or taken in the picturesque alleys of Petrovsky Park will surely become the envy of girlfriends, and they will be pleasant to look at even many years later.

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Petrovsky Travel Palace

During the war of 1812, the headquarters of Napoleon Bonaparte was located in the Petrovsky Travel Palace. It was from here that he watched the city that did not submit to him burn. The palace, ravaged after Napoleon’s retreat, was rebuilt under Emperor Nicholas I. In 1896, during the coronation of Emperor Nicholas II, there was a notorious in Russian history situation on the Khodynsky field, located opposite the palace, where many people died. The authorities decided to distribute gifts to people celebrating the coronation and unfortunately people were to eager to get those things, too many people were fighting and it was too crowded, so many people just were walked upon. Many saw it as a bad sign for the rule of the new Emperor.  After the 1917 revolution, the Palace changed ownership many times. It belonged to the Red Aviation Museum  and later the Air Force Academy was located here. In 1999, this monument of history and architecture was returned to the city. A full-scale restoration began in the Palace, which lasted ten years. Now the Petrovsky Travel Palace is the House of Receptions of the Moscow City Hall and, as in previous times, receives guests of the highest level, which is its main function. Thus, this is not a Museum and a tour here is an exception rather than a rule.

So, don’t miss the opportunity!

All rights reserved © 2023 Tours to Moscow

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These 7 palaces in moscow are straight out of a fairy tale.

M oscow’s past is inextricably linked with the tsars and their favorite people, who, because of their status, did not live in communal flats but in incredibly fancy palaces. The palaces of St. Petersburg are world-famous, but Russia’s capital also has its fair share of magnificent noble residences, most of which are now museums. All the palaces impress with their beautiful architecture and equally beautiful interiors, as well as with their tumultuous histories. We have selected seven of them for you to add to your Moscow itinerary .

1. Tsaritsyno

Photo: Sergey Dzyuba /Shutterstock

In 1776, Tsaritsyno was built on the order of Catherine the Great who fell in love with the pastoral beauty of the area; however, she never lived here. The empress did not like the creation of Vasily Bazhenov, so his work was torn down. A second attempt by architect Matvey Kazakov got cut short — Catherine the Great died before he could finish the 20-year enterprise. The building was abandoned until it was beautifully renovated between 2005 and 2007.

Photo: dimbar76 /Shutterstock

Today, Tsaritsyno is a museum within a large, 1,000-acre park. Tsaritsyno is located south of Moscow, a 40-minute metro ride from the city center to the Tsaritsyno metro station and a 10-minute walk to get to the gate. The palace is in the middle of the park, so you’ll have to walk for another 10 minutes to access it, but the greenery, and the fountains and bridges that dot it, are a sight to see and well worth the extra footwork. The palace complex is closed on Monday, but you can access the park daily, from 6:00 AM to midnight.

2. Kolomenskoye

Photo: Gubin Yury /Shutterstock

As early as the 16th century, Kolomenskoye was the summer residence of the tsars. In the 17th century, Tsar Alexei Romanov built a great wooden palace on the royal estate, which was unfortunately torn down on the order of Catherine the Great in the late 18th century. The current magnificent wooden palace in Kolomenskoye was built using drawings of the one that stood on the estate so long ago.

Photo: EvgenySHCH /Shutterstock

Today, the Kolomenskoye estate is comprised of 17 architectural monuments on 990 acres, including the 16th-century Ascension Church, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site ; 17th-century wooden fortresses; and a 400-year old wooden Orthodox Church. The open-air museum is opened for visitors daily, except Mondays. To get there is a 50-minute metro ride from the center of Moscow to Kolomenskaya station.

3. Petrovsky Palace

Photo: Yury Dmitrienko /Shutterstock

Built as a station on the tsars’ journeys from St. Petersburg to Moscow by order of Catherine the Great, the red and white Petrovsky Palace is the work of the famous Russian architect Matvey Kazakov (and, as such, bears a resemblance with Tsaritsyno).

Today, the palace is used as a four-star hotel , so visiting it is not an option unless as part of a rare guided tour. The edifice is also used as the House of Receptions of the Government of Moscow since 2009. To get to the Petrovsky Palace, located in the northwest of Moscow, travel on the metro to the Dinamo station and walk for fewer than 10 minutes.

The huge Kuskovo complex was built between 1740 and 1780 by the wealthy and noble Sheremetev family to be used as a holiday residence. Besides the palace that was intended for receptions only, and which remains exactly the same as it was in the 18th century, the complex includes the Dutch House (a pavilion modeled on a 17th-century Dutch townhouse), Italian House (built in the style of 17th-century Italian villa), the Grotto, the Menagerie, the Hermitage and other structures in a large park with fountains, ponds, canals and a formal garden.

Photo: Dmitry Zimin /Shutterstock

The superb ensemble is a museum of 18th-century manor life that contains 50,000 pieces such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, and artistic furniture. The complex is also the host for the State Museum of Ceramics, where works of porcelain, glass, and ceramics are displayed. Kuskovo is a 35-minute metro ride from the city center to the Novogireevo metro station and a 15-minute walk to the complex.

5. Grand Kremlin Palace

Photo: Laborant /Shutterstock

The Grand Kremlin Palace is the largest building in the Kremlin, a fortified complex of cathedrals and palaces located in the heart of the Russian capital. The Grand Kremlin Palace was built between 1837 and 1849 and used to be the tsar’s residence; nowadays, it is the residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Although the outside may seem fancy, it is nothing compared to the lavish interior. With its intricate domed ceilings; huge, sparkling chandeliers; and gold -covered everything, it’s even fancier than Versailles . It is possible to visit the beautiful palace, but the only way to do it is by booking a two-hour tour .

Photo: Natalia Sidorova /Shutterstock

One of the most beautiful estates in Moscow, Bykovo — also known as Marino — unfortunately sits abandoned. The complex is comprised of the incredible Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Virgin, built in 1789 and said to have been designed by famous Russian architect Vasily Bazhenov; a palatial manor rebuilt in 1856, which served as a tuberculosis sanitarium after the Bolshevik Revolution; and a rotunda by large pond, all of which sits on an overgrown, forested park.

Photo: Julia Trubarova /Shutterstock

Because the estate is neglected, it is not possible to visit the interior of the manor; however, you can walk around and enjoy the architecture from the outside. In winter, the long slope in front of the manor serves as a tobogganing spot for local kids. Unlike the rest of the estate, the church is currently being renovated. It’s a bit of a trek to get to Bykovo by public transport, but if you have a vehicle or can afford a taxi ride, it’s only a 50-minute car ride from the center of Moscow.

Photo: Shevchenko Andrey /Shutterstock

The Marfino estate is a unique and prime example of Gothic architecture in Moscow as it’s an ensemble where every building is of the Gothic style. After being burned down by the French in 1822, it was later rebuilt by famed architect Mikhail Bykosvky. The ensemble is comprised of a large park, large ponds, a beautiful bridge, stone gates, sculptures, the Nativity Church, a rotunda, a pavilion, and, of course, the red and white manor.

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Moscow’s Upper Petrovsky Monastery: From medieval bishops to Peter the Great

Moscow. Upper Petrovsky Monastery, south view. From left: Bell tower with Gate Church of Intercession, Naryshkin burial chapel, Cathedral of Metropolitan Peter, Cathedral of Bogoliubov Icon of the Virgin. Photo: August 22, 2015

At the beginning of the 20th century, Russian chemist and photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky invented a complex process for vivid, detailed color photography. His vision of photography as a form of education and enlightenment was demonstrated with special clarity through his photographs of architectural monuments in the historic sites throughout the Russian heartland.

The main part of the Prokudin-Gorsky collection ultimately became a part of The Library of Congress (see box text below), but he also established a business that produced color postcards and illustrations in books. In 1914, his enterprise was reestablished under the name ‘Biochrome’.

Moscow. Novospassky Monastery, northeast view with bell tower & Transfiguration Cathedral. Color print published in P. G. Vasenko, Romanov Boyars and the Enthronement of Mikhail Fedorovich (St. Petersburg, 1913) Photo: Summer 1912

Among the publications with his color photographs was a large volume published in 1913 to commemorate the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty. The illustrations included his panoramic view from a nearby rooftop of one of Russia’s most historic monastic institutions, the medieval  Novospassky (New Savior) Monastery , located on a rise overlooking the Moskva River near the Kremlin. 

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Cathedral of Metropolitan Peter, northwest view. Photo: August 2, 2015

Although Novospassky is the only Moscow monastery that Prokudin-Gorsky is known to have photographed, there are similar monastic ensembles within a short distance. Among them is the Upper Petrovsky (Vysoko-Petrovsky) Monastery, which, like Novospassky, was closely connected with Russian dynastic history and particularly with Peter the Great.

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Cathedral of Metropolitan Peter, northwest view before restoration. Photo: December 16, 1979

With a bright, richly decorated bell tower marking the summit of Petrovka Street, it occupies a notable place in the heart of Moscow. I was fortunate to photograph it over a period of almost four decades (from 1979 to 2015).  

Humble origins

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Cathedral of Metropolitan Peter, west facade & portal with remnants of late 17th-century painted facade decoration. Photo: October 9, 1979

There are competing versions as to when and how the Upper Petrovsky Monastery was founded, but most accounts give credit to Grand Prince Ivan I (Kalita; 1280s-1340) and to the head of the Orthodox Church, Peter, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus’ (1260s-1326). The Russian principalities were at that time under the control of the Mongol Golden Horde, which played various princes against each other. In the ruthless struggle for regional power, Peter began to ally himself with Ivan as early as 1315.  

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Cathedral of Metropolitan Peter, northwest view during restoration. Photo: August 5, 1997

When Peter moved the residence of the Metropolitanate from the city of Vladimir to Moscow in 1325, he bestowed the church’s great spiritual authority on the small but ambitious Moscow principality. This in turn played a critical role in the further consolidation of Moscow’s political power under Ivan Kalita.

At some point – perhaps as early as 1315 or 1316, but likely in the early 1330s – a log church was built on a rise of land above the small Neglinnaya River and dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. ‘The Medieval Book of Royal Degrees’ attributes its construction to a vision by Ivan Kalita. In any event, the dedication was intended in homage to Metropolitan Peter, who died in 1326 and was canonized in 1339. 

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Cathedral of Metropolitan Peter, interior. View of dome with wall paintings of Christ & archangels. Photo: August 2, 2015

The Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul took its origins from this modest church. Another account suggests that the church and monastery – built of wood – were reconstructed by Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy after a devastating Tatar attack on Moscow in 1382. The fire of 1493, which destroyed half of Moscow, again leveled the monastery.  

Brick foundations    

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Cathedral of Bogoliubov Icon of the Virgin, southwest view. Left foreground: Naryshkin burial chapel. Photo: August 22, 2015

At the beginning of the 16th century the Peter-Paul Monastery gained the attention of Grand Prince Basil III, who ordered its central church to be rebuilt in brick. In August 1517, the structure was consecrated as the Cathedral of the Metropolitan Peter, and the monastery formally assumed the name of Vysoko-Petrovsky (“upper” because of its elevated location, and ‘Petrovsky’ from the name Peter). 

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Cathedral of Bogoliubov Icon of the Virgin, southwest view before restoration. Photo: February 11, 1980

The architect chosen for this project was apparently the prominent Italian builder known as Aleviz Novy, author of the grand Archangel Michael Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin. The Metropolitan Peter Cathedral is among a group of churches built by Aleviz between 1514 and 1517.  

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Refectory Church of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, northwest view. Photo: August 2, 2015

The unusual plan of the small cathedral rested on an octagonal first level, whose bays at the points of the compass were larger than those on the diagonal. The upper tier is octagonal and presumably had narrow windows in a lancet form in each of the eight bays.  The structure culminated in a short arcade frieze, above which was a cornice and a helmet roof of eight facets covered in dark tile, Aleviz's preferred roofing material. 

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Refectory Church of Saint Sergius of Radonezh. Interior, view east from refectory hall. Photo: August 2, 2015

On the interior, the lobes of the octofoil provided additional space and buttressed the structure – sound enough to allow a considerable widening of the windows at the turn of the 18th century. Despite its small scale, the church prefigures the development of Moscow’s 16th-century votive churches as well as the return to highly decorated tower churches at the end of the 17th century.  

Centuries of renovations 

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Refectory Church of Saint Sergius of Radonezh. Interior, view east toward new icon screen. Photo: August 22, 2015

Modified in the late 17th and 18th centuries, the Cathedral of Metropolitan Peter was restored in the late 20th century to what is assumed to be its original appearance. The interior has been painted with new frescoes, while the cathedral was re-consecrated for worship in 1998. 

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Refectory Church of Saint Sergius of Radonezh. Interior, view west from refectory hall toward narthex. Photo: August 22, 2015

The Vysoko-Petrovsky monastery was again devastated in 1611 during the Polish occupation of Moscow during the Time of Troubles, a dynastic crisis compounded by a civil war and social upheavals that devastated much of European Russia. The cathedral survived, and the monastery’s restoration, which began as early as 1612, included the construction of a brick wall.  

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Refectory Church of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, southwest view before restoration. Photo: February 11, 1980

In the latter part of the 17th century the dramatic rise in the monastery’s fortunes was closely connected to the Naryshkin family, beginning with Kirill Naryshkin, whose daughter Natalya was the second wife of Tsar Aleksey Mikhailovich. With the birth of his grandson Peter in 1672, Kirill donated his Moscow estate to the tsar, who promptly transferred it to the adjoining Vysoko-Petrovsky Monastery, thus doubling its territory. 

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Refectory Church of Saint Sergius of Radonezh. South facade, ground level gallery with excavated 17th-century sarcophagi from monastery cemetery. Photo: August 2, 2015

After the death of Aleksey Mikhailovich in 1676, Feodor – his son by his first marriage, to Maria Miloslavsky – ruled briefly, but Feodor’s death in 1682 created a complicated situation. The surviving heirs – Ivan V, Aleksey’s sickly youngest son from his first marriage, and Peter I, son from his second marriage – were still too young to rule, yet each was supported as heir by the competing Miloslavsky and Naryshkin clans. Seeing the greater health of Peter, the boyar council and Patriarch Joachim, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, proclaimed Peter the tsar. 

Revolt & murder 

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Bell tower with Gate Church of Intercession, southwest view Photo: August 22, 2015

However, a revolt in April-May 1682 by disgruntled soldiers known as streltsy led to the granting of regency powers to Sophia, Tsar Aleksey’s daughter from his first marriage. Sophia and her faction were able to persuade the Patriarch to proclaim Ivan and Peter co-tsars. During this violent episode, Kirill Naryshkin’s sons Ivan and Afanasy were killed in the Kremlin in the presence of young Peter, their nephew, as the Miloslavsky family gained temporary ascendancy over the Naryshkins. The murdered Naryshkin brothers were buried at Vysoko-Petrovsky Monastery, and Kirill was forced to become a monk at the northern Kirill-Belozersky Monastery.  

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Church of the Tolg Icon of the Virgin, southeast view. Photo: August 2, 2015

To commemorate her brothers, Natalya Naryshkina supported the construction of a new brick Cathedral of the Bogolyubsky Icon of the Virgin (1684-1690) on the site of previous wooden churches, the earliest of which was built by Dmitry Donskoy in 1382. Although the interior was thoroughly ransacked during the Soviet period, the exterior has been well restored. Next to the southwest corner is a Naryshkin burial chapel. 

During her reign, Sophia also bestowed favors on the Vysoko-Petrovsky Monastery. Increasingly fearful of the power of her half-brother Peter and assured of the debility of her brother Ivan, Sophia attempted a coup in 1689, again with the support of the streltsy.  

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Church of St. Pachomius the Great, northeast view. Photo: August 2, 2015

In the wake of its failure and the triumph of young Peter I, Sophia was placed in confinement at Novodevichy Convent. The streltsy regiments were disbanded, and many of their number were tortured and executed by Peter, who remembered all too well the murder of his uncles. 

Following the suppression of the 1689 uprising Peter commissioned the refectory Church of St. Sergius Radonezh at the Vysoko-Petrovsky Monastery in memory of his refuge at the Trinity-St. Sergius Monastery during the streltsy uprising. Completed in 1693, the church exemplifies the festive decorative style often referred to as ‘Naryshkin Baroque’.   

The Naryshkin Chambers & Napoleon 

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Cloisters, east facade with Church of St. Pachomius the Great (left). Photo: August 2, 2015

In 1696, work was also completed on the monastery bell tower, placed above the gate Church of the Intercession. The open arcading of the two-tiered octagonal tower over the gate church is a daring exercise in structural design with wide openings that disseminate the bell sounds. Like the other monastery structures of this period, the bell tower is brightly decorated and has long been a landmark in central Moscow. 

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Cloisters, east facade with decorative limestone portal. Photo: August 2, 2015

The monastery’s largest component, completed in the 1690s, was the brick cloister building known as the ‘Naryshkin Chambers’ because of its association with Natalya Naryshkin, mother of Tsar Peter. Its long red façade with decorative windows forms a distinctive part of Petrovka Street. In the late 19th century, the cloisters were extended by the construction of a multi-storied building with a polychrome brick façade.  

The 18th century brought small additions to the monastic ensemble, such as the Church of the Tolg Icon of the Virgin (1744-50), whose Baroque façade forms part of the monastery wall on Petrovka Street. Soon thereafter, in 1750-55, the Church of Saint Pachomius the Great was erected over the monastery’s south gate.  

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Cloisters, Petrovka Street facade. Photo: October 16, 1992

The Vysoko-Petrovsky Monastery had a grim fate during the Napoleonic occupation of Moscow in 1812. Although many valuables had been evacuated to Yaroslavl, the monastery churches were desecrated, and French authorities held tribunals that condemned many to death on suspicion of arson. Those executed were buried near the bell tower. 

Soviet era & beyond 

After its revival the monastery became a major center for religious education and publishing in Moscow. With the establishment of Soviet power, the monastery briefly functioned as a refuge for clerics driven from other institutions, but, in 1926, it, too, was closed. Severe damage was inflicted on the buildings (as documented in my photographs), and only in the 1950s was it recognized as a cultural monument to be preserved. 

Upper Petrovsky Monastery. Cloisters, Petrovka Street facade with New Cloisters (left). Photo: August 22, 2015

In 1992, services resumed in the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Since then, this monastery in homage to Metropolitan Peter has undertaken an ongoing program of restoration that has created an oasis in the center of Moscow. 

In the early 20th century, Russian photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky developed a complex process for color photography. Between 1903 and 1916, he traveled through the Russian Empire and took over 2,000 photographs with the process, which involved three exposures on a glass plate. In August 1918, he left Russia and ultimately resettled in France where he was reunited with a large part of his collection of glass negatives, as well as 13 albums of contact prints. After his death in Paris in 1944, his heirs sold the collection to the Library of Congress. In the early 21st century, the Library digitized the Prokudin-Gorsky Collection and made it freely available to the global public. A few Russian websites now have versions of the collection. In 1986, architectural historian and photographer William Brumfield organized the first exhibit of Prokudin-Gorsky photographs at the Library of Congress. Over a period of work in Russia beginning in 1970, Brumfield has photographed most of the sites visited by Prokudin-Gorsky. This series of articles juxtaposes Prokudin-Gorsky’s views of architectural monuments with photographs taken by Brumfield decades later.

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Category : Petrovsky Palace, Moscow

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THE 12th AIR LAW CONFERENCE IN MOSCOW

INVITE LAWYERS OF AVIATION COMMUNITY

Aviation authorities

Leasing and insurance companies

Airports and airfields

Aviation training centers

Aircraft owners

Aeronautical equipment manufacturers

Law firms and consulting companies

Conference programme.

The Twelfth Air Law Conference will be held in Moscow on October 6 . This event is organized by the National Air Law Association and the Institute of Air and Space Law AEROHELP , with support of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, Federal Air Transport Agency, Federal Authority for Transport Oversight and the Interstate Aviation Committee. Scientific partner of the Conference is Lomonosov Moscow State University .

Working languages of Conference: Russian and English

Thursday 5 October 2023

Saturday 7 October 2023

TERMS OF PARTICIPATION

The participation fee per one delegate is 55 000 RUB, including VAT.

If the same company is represented by 2 delegates , 10% discount shall apply for each delegate.

If the same company is to participate through 3 or more delegates , a 15% discount shall apply for each.

A participating delegate, who has regularly attended the AEROHELP Air Law Conference ( St Petersburg or Baku ) or the LUISS Air Law Conference ( Rome ) or the International Air Law Forum ( Shanghai ), is entitled a 20% discount .

The members of European Air Law Association ( EALA ), or Helicopter Industry Association ( HIA ), or Russian Association of Air Transport Operators ( AEVT ), or International Association of Airports ( IAA ), or Association of Employers and Enterprises of the Industry of UAS ( AERONEXT ) are subject to 20% discount for participation.

The participation fee for students, undergraduates, graduate students, competitors and teachers is 5 000 RUB.

REGISTRATION

Delegate's personal data 1:, delegate's personal data 2:, delegate's personal data 3:, information about the company:, our partners.

S7 Airlines

Red Wings Airlines

North-West Regional Center of Air Navigation Information

AlfaStrakhovanie

Attorneys Group

Belavia - Belarusian Airlines

UAS Consortium

Sirena-Travel

VERBA Legal

With official support.

Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation

Federal Authority for Transport Oversight

Federal Air Transport Agency

Interstate Aviation Committee

With support of.

Venezuelan Association of Aeronautical and Space Law

Helicopter Industry Association

Russian Association of Air Transport Operators

AERONEXT Association

Korea Society of Air & Space Law and Policy

Aero Club of India

Council of Legal Education of Kenya

Lawyers of Kyrgyzstan Association

Aviation Medicine Doctors Association

ICAA Aviation Safety

Media Partners

AviaPort.Ru

Air transport

Russian Drones

Jurist Publishing Group

Chairpersons.

Dr. Shadi ALSHDAIFAT

Associate Professor of Public International Law at the University of Sharjah

Tatyana NEVEEVA

Senior Partner at VERBA Legal

Dmitriy SHIYAN

Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation

Yulia BELYAKOVA

Senior Associate at the EPAM Law Offices

Professor, Secretary General at Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS)

List of Delegates

Organizing committee, chairman of the organizing committee.

Sergey YURYEV

President of the National Air Law Association, Doctor in Law

Members of the Organizing Committee

Dmitriy ZVEREV

State Secretary - Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, PhD

Vadim PODEIKO

Deputy Head of Legal Department at Lomonosov Moscow State University, PhD

Attila SIPOS

Faculty Member of College of Law at Sharjah University, LL.M., PhD

Andrey SHNYREV

First Vice-President of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Russia (RAOPA), PhD

Boris YELISEYEV

Rector of Moscow State Technical University of Civil Aviation, Doctor in Law, Professor, Honored Lawyer of Russian Federation

Alexander BATALOV

Alternate to the Representative of the Russian Federation to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Member of the Air Navigation Commission, PhD

Secretary of the Organizing Committee

Oleg AKSAMENTOV

Director of the Institute of Air and Space Law AEROHELP

[email protected]

Diana EROFEEVA Director of Legal Support Directorate at S7 Group From the beginning of registration via website, I was impressed by the well-functioning system of organizing the entire event. The speakers and the presentation of the material were very impressive, I liked the fact that the audience was not left without attention, all questions were answered completely and immediately. The Conference was rich and of high quality. We express our deep gratitude to all the organizers for organizing an event of this level. Such Conferences on aviation topics are very rarely held with a legal focus on documents and production activities of specialized companies. You have managed to create a space for brainstorming and lively discussions on the subject. Emotionally, the Conference was also very sincere, accepting and humane. This was felt in the attitude of both speakers and listeners. There is rarely a balance between the formal and the human at Conferences. Keep it up!

Anton NIKIFOROV Head of Unmanned Aircraft System Section at Russian Post I express my gratitude to the Organizers of the Conference for the opportunity to gain unique experience in the field of air law. The exchange of best practices and experience is undeniably effective in solving the strategic challenges facing the industry. Some of them have already been resolved, but many more are yet to come. I wish productive work to the Delegates of future Conferences and hope for a constructive dialogue with representatives of the authorities.

Anna Pirog Chief Specialist of the Passenger Revenue Management Department at Aeroflot For me personally, participation in the Conference is a unique experience, an opportunity to join various areas of civil aviation through the prism of law. And of course, to feel like a lawyer, to raise the level of your legal culture. Unique speakers, current topics of discussion panels, all this creates a sense of belonging, provides an opportunity to discuss issues on the industry's agenda. I wish the entire aviation legal community further development and expansion of cooperation, and I express my deep gratitude to the organizers of the Conference for their inexhaustible optimism and craving for beauty!

Vafa BABAYEVA Head of Unit for Passenger Claims at Azerbaijan Airlines With a feeling of deep satisfaction I would like to congratulate all the Delegates of the 11th Air Law Conference, which was hosted for the first time by hospitable and sunny Baku. The Conference was effective, successful and productive, as specialists could listen not only to theory, but also to communicate with each other, getting acquainted with the experience of other companies, which is the main value of the event. Taking into account the trend of the legal sphere with its constant changes and emerging new legislative regulators and requirements, the value of the Conference only increases.

Oksana ZOLOTAREVA Head of Legal Department at iFly Airlines The rich Conference Program allows you to consider both complex issues in aviation law and plunge into new issues in the industry. The lively and active interaction of speakers and delegates of the Conference made it possible to exchange experience, new views with high-level professionals and colleagues from other airlines. For me, as a lawyer, the Conference gave me the opportunity to feel involved in the formation of new trends and trends in aviation law. I wish the delegates of the Conference to continue to actively develop aviation law, support innovations and actively implement them in their work!

ACCOMMODATION

From October 1 to October 8, 2023 , there are special rates for accommodation in the hotels of our partners under the promo code AIRLAW

Petroff Palace Boutique Hotel

40 Leningradsky prospect, Moscow, 125167, Russia

METROPOL HOTEL

2, Teatralny proezd, Moscow, 109012, Russia

Kempinski Hotel Moika 22

Moika River Emb. 22

Reservation Form

Hotel Astoria

Bolshaya Morskaya Str. 39

ARCHIVE OF THE EVENTS

For the Twelfth Air Law Conference , which will be held on October 6, 2023, a landmark object of Russian history was traditionally chosen, and this time – the magnificent Petrovsky Travel Palace. Depicted on a silver coin issued in 2015, it is a jewel himself – an architectural gem in the center of modern Moscow. Built by decree of Catherine II in 1776-1780, in honor of Russia's victory in the Russian-Turkish War, the Palace went down in history forever as early as 1812. From its windows, Napoleon looked at the fire of Moscow , waiting for a delegation with the keys to the conquered city. Not wait. But now numerous delegations and tourists are striving to visit the easternmost residence of Napoleon in Europe. For 75 years, starting in 1923, Zhukovsky Air Force Academy was located in the Palace, and the building was renamed the Palace of Red Aviation. It was here that the discoverer of Space Yuri Gagarin studied. Luxury and legend, history and modernity, delightful interiors and amazing acoustics of the halls – all this is it, the unique and unforgettable Petrovsky Travel Palace .

Petrovsky Travel Palace : Moscow, Leningradsky pr., 40

Great!!! You'll become a delegate of the Air Law Conference soon!

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Discover the iconic Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, Rajasthan, built in 1799 as an extension of the City Palace. Known as the 'Palace of Winds,' its unique design features 953 small windows for natural ventilat...

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The 5 best sightseeing tours of buckingham palace.

See one of Britain's top attractions on a walking, biking, bus or private taxi tour.

The Best Tours of Buckingham Palace

Getty Images

On a visit to London , some of the top attractions are linked to the royal family. But nothing is quite as iconic as a visit to the one of the three official residences of the monarchy – Buckingham Palace . While it's only open to the public on select dates, you can relish in its beauty from the regal gates, snap a selfie and catch a Changing the Guard ceremony.

How to Tour Buckingham Palace

For about 10 weeks every summer (select dates from July 11 to Sept. 29, 2024), Buckingham Palace opens its elaborate gates, welcoming visitors to explore its lavish State Rooms, grounds and Royal Collection artworks. The Royal Mews is also open to visitors from March to October, showcasing the Royal Family's real working stables and ornate, historic carriages – including the Gold State Coach used for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Coronation in 2022.

If you aren't here at the right time, fear not; this extravagant, 18th-century royal residence is just as impressive from the outside, making it worth a visit any time of year. Check online for a current schedule of the Changing the Guard ceremony – when the red-and-black-clad Royal Guard marches toward the palace, accompanied by striking military music – and see a tradition that's been running for more than 300 years. Combine it with explorations in the surrounding area of Westminster to see London at its most quintessential.

You can explore all of this independently, of course – but if you're looking to dig a little deeper, hear about the king's coronation and uncover local secrets, consider a guided London tour . Insider experts can point out the best photo spots, take you to the must-see sights and show you the ins and outs of the area, while sharing knowledge of the country's royal history along the way.

There are tons of options out there, so where do you start? Based on local knowledge and traveler review sites, here are some of the most highly rated tours.

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

Price: From $13 Duration: 2 to 3 hours Standout perk: Witness the pomp of the iconic Changing the Guard ceremony.

Watch the Royal Guard march toward Buckingham Palace as you witness this historic, quintessentially British spectacle on a tour of Westminster's highlights. Accompanied by a military band, you'll see the Old Guard (soldiers on duty) switch to the New Guard as they arrive at the palace from Wellington Barracks. Your guide will explain which regiment is which, before taking you on a guided walking tour past other world-famous, attractions, including Big Ben, Clarence House, the Houses of Parliament , St James's Palace and Westminster Abbey .

Recent travelers gave high ratings to the tour, saying guides were able to take them to the best photo spots for the ceremony while offering a wealth of historical and entertaining insight.

Tours leave at 10 a.m. and depart from the Victoria Palace Theatre. The outings end at Parliament Square.

Local tip: Look at the Horse Guards Clock on the Horse Guards Parade – the official entrance to Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace – to see a dark stain above the 2 (II, in Roman numerals). It marks the time King Charles I was executed outside the Palace of Whitehall in 1649, after being charged with treason.

Check prices & availability on:

Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle Tour

Price: From $161 Duration: 8.5 hours Standout perk: Get a rare chance to explore the State Rooms with Buckingham Palace tickets, and tick off two of the United Kingdom's grandest royal residences in one day.

This twin-castle tour offers the opportunity to enter Buckingham Palace and see its State Rooms, Royal Collection artwork and other treasures, with commentary from an audio guide. After you've toured the palace, you'll travel by coach about 25 miles west of London to Windsor Castle – the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and the family home of the monarchy for more than 900 years. Explore the castle's lavish State Apartments and grounds, and visit St George's Chapel – the burial place of Queen Elizabeth II alongside many other monarchs, and the spot where Prince Harry married Meghan Markle.

Recent travelers said the tour was a great opportunity to see inside both palaces. Several commented on the extensive art collection at Buckingham Palace, and many enjoyed hearing insights from the guides, although some complained about long lines.

The tour takes place from July through September on select Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and leaves from Victoria Coach Station at 7:45 a.m.

Local tip: Windsor Castle has its own Changing the Guard ceremony, as well as its own extensive art collection. The ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. on select days of the week.

Best of London Tour Including Tower of London and Changing of the Guard

Price: From $144; with optional London Eye or Harrods cream tea for an additional fee Duration: 9 hours Standout perk: You'll see many of London's key attractions in one day, and enjoy a river cruise thrown in for good measure.

If you want to combine a visit to see Buckingham Palace's Changing the Guard ceremony with stops at several other London spots, this is a great choice. The full-day trip begins at the UNESCO listed Tower of London where you'll have the chance to see the crown jewels.

From here, you'll visit Buckingham Palace to witness the famous pomp and pageantry of the ceremony and get the chance to admire the palace's impressive architecture from the outside. The day includes a tour of the elaborate St. Paul's Cathedral (not available on Sundays), before embarking on a boat tour of the Thames, passing key attractions including Tower Bridge and Shakespeare's Globe. The day also includes a photo stop at Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton married in 2011, and a brief walking tour of Parliament Square. Travelers can choose to add a ride on the famous London Eye observation wheel (or opt for a quintessentially British cream tea at Harrods instead).

Recent travelers loved the tour and praised the guides as highly knowledgeable and entertaining. Many were impressed with how much they saw in a day and said it gave them a great introduction to London (although it's worth noting a few felt there was quite a bit of walking involved).

Tours leave from Victoria Coach Station at 7:45 a.m. and finish at the London Eye.

Local tip: If you fancy delving deeper into the Tower of London in your own time, book a ticket to see the Ceremony of the Keys. Dating back seven centuries, this nightly ceremony is when the castle gets locked up for the night, with a special exchange between the sentry and Yeoman Warder taking place at 9:30 p.m. between the atmospheric battlements – both eerie and magical.

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London: Explore the Parks and Palaces on a Morning Bike Tour

Price: From $37 Duration: 3.5 hours Standout perk: Get active on two wheels, and combine a Buckingham Palace stop with a visit to Kensington Palace and other royal sights.

This half-day guided cycling tour is a great option to get active on your London trip. You'll start at Kensington Gardens – the home of Kensington Palace, where Princess Diana lived with the now King Charles, and Queen Victoria's birthplace. From here, pedal to the Royal Albert Hall to check out this elaborate concert hall, opened by Queen Victoria in 1871. Afterward, cycle through Hyde Park and on to Green Park to reach Buckingham Palace, where your guide will regale you with little-known stories about the palace. Continue on to Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben as you take in some of the capital's key highlights, before returning to the Royal Parks.

Recent travelers raved about the tour and were impressed by the guides' knowledge. Many enjoyed the small group size and said the cycling was a good, leisurely pace, with plenty to see along the way, and iced tea and snacks included as a bonus.

The tour leaves from outside the main entrance at Hilton London Hyde Park. The recommended minimum age is 9 – you can pre-book junior bikes and child seats. While the bicycle and helmet for use during the tour are included, attraction entry fees are additional.

Local tip: If you've got time after the tour, it's well worth exploring Kensington Palace a bit more. Admire the elaborate, Georgian-era King's Staircase and the King's State Gallery with its fine art collection, see the Queen's State Apartments where Mary II would come to relax or welcome guests, and visit the Sunken Garden, once a favorite spot of Princess Diana's. After, enjoy afternoon tea or lunch at the Kensington Palace Pavilion amid the gardens.

The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab

Price: From $482 Duration: 4 hours Standout perk: You'll see many of London's must-see attractions, and as it's a private tour, you can tailor the trip to your liking.

If you're after a private tour, this half-day trip in a classic London black cab is just the ticket.

You can choose to align your visit to Buckingham Palace with a Changing the Guard ceremony, and you'll get expert commentary from your personal taxi driver, who's also a registered tour guide. Alongside the palace, you'll pass must-see points including the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, St James's Palace, the Tower of London, Piccadilly Circus, Shakespeare's Globe, Borough Market and Covent Garden , with options to stop along the way.

Recent travelers loved the tour and said guides were able to tailor the trip, stopping at spots both on and off the tourist trail and offering plenty of historical insight.

Your driver-guide can pick you up and drop you off at your hotel; or a central London location.

Local tip: Make a stop at Borough Market to try some of the best food in the city, with more than 100 stalls offering everything from Persian to Italian, alongside plenty of fresh produce.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Laura French is an award-winning British travel writer based in London. She grew up just outside the city and worked around the corner from Buckingham Palace for several years. She loves exploring the surrounding area, and used her own experience alongside online research to compile the roundup.

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