In St. Petersburg attractions at every turn. One of the brightest pearls among the architectural structures of the 19th century is the Kelch mansion. You can fall in love with just one courtyard at first sight. Here are eccentric gnomes, and sculptures entwined with centennial ivy. Unfortunately it's hard to get into the patio right now, but if you ever get the chance, be sure to take it.
Historical roots
From the middle of the 18th century, Tchaikovsky Street was sparsely populated. There were mostly empty plots of land that were distributed to prominent figures. One of these plots was donated to the merchant Broter, who at that time held the post of burgomaster. He gave the land to his daughter, but the house never appeared on this site, and this state of affairs continued until the end of the 18th century. In the late 1790s, the owners changed constantly, and the name of the first person who built a stone base with a wooden second floor has not been preserved in history.
In 1858 Grigory buys a house with land on Tchaikovsky StreetKondoyanaki (Consul of Greece). According to the project of A. Kolman, a beautiful baroque mansion is being built here.
Kelch Family
At the end of the 19th century Varvara Petrovna Kelkh, heiress of Siberian industrialists, moved to St. Petersburg. She was very rich thanks to the fortune that her father saved for her. In distant Siberia, Varvara Petrovna owned the Lena gold mines and part of the shipping industry on the Lena River.
Having settled in St. Petersburg, V. P. Kelkh buys the land of the former consul of Greece for 300 thousand rubles and orders the house to be demolished. In its place, it was first planned to build a mansion in the French Renaissance style. The project was supervised by the architects Shene and Chagin. But Varvara Petrovna did not like the result, and by her order, another architect, K. K. Schmidt, began to redevelop. He kept the overall picture, not changing the façade, but creating a unique Gothic patio. During 2 years of construction, a courtyard building and stables were added.
The interior looked no less beautiful. The entire St. Petersburg nobility visited the mansion of Baron Kelkh, never ceasing to be surprised at the decoration of the halls. What was one white room in which there was a collection of Faberge eggs. It is known that Mrs. Kelch was a passionate lover of French creativity.
Divorce and maiden name
But the Kelch family did not have long to enjoy the beauty of the newly built house. The construction was completed in 1903, and already in 1905 Varvara Petrovna divorced her husband Alexander Fedorovich andpermanently moves to Paris.
Alexander Fedorovich, unlike his ex-wife, did not have untold we alth, so he needed money. In this regard, he sells the house, later known as the Kelch mansion, and marries a second time. But his plans were not destined to come true. During the years of Stalin's rule, he falls into disfavor and is sent to camps. His further fate, alas, is unknown.
Soviet period
Since March 1917, the Kelch mansion has become the first School of screen art in the Soviet Union. Here they became actors and directors. In 1922 the school became an institute. Behind the scenes, the house on Tchaikovsky Street began to be called the "Ice Palace". There was no central heating here, and in winter, although the fireplaces were working, it was terribly cold.
During the Second World War, the mansion was damaged by a high-explosive bomb. As a result of the explosion, part of the building was lost. All interior decoration was removed and lost.
Until the end of the existence of the Soviet Union, the party leadership of the Dzerzhinsky district of the city of Leningrad was located in the house. Meetings were held in the halls of the palace, and new members were solemnly received here.
Modern life of the Kelch mansion
From 1991 to 1998 the house was empty. It was passed into the hands of one or another organization, but no one could settle here. Since 1998, the law faculty of St. Petersburg University has been located in the building of the former Kelkh mansion. The whole of St. Petersburg began to call it simply "House of Lawyers".
BeforeIn 2010, it was possible to visit the restaurant, which was located on the basement floor. It was opened specifically to raise funds for the restoration of the palace. Restoration work actually began in 2011.
How to see the house?
Excursion to the Kelch mansion is an amazing journey through the halls of the palace. You can order a tour from many travel agencies in St. Petersburg. For example, you can find out more detailed information on the website "Walks around St. Petersburg". In cooperation with St. Petersburg University, the organizers offer to make a unique tour into the historical past of the mansion. The guide is the head of the excursion department of the same university.
Interior
Unfortunately, little is known about how the house looked from the inside at the time when the Kelch family lived there. All decoration, furniture and decor were lost: first after the advent of Soviet power, and then - during the Second World War. Restoring the full picture is quite difficult, one can only assume what was in this or that room.
The greatest value was the collection of Faberge eggs. It is known that Varvara Petrovna's husband Alexander Fedorovich gave his wife a new work by a French artist for each anniversary of their life together.
Let's imagine what the palace was like at its best. So, immediately from the street you would be met in the lobby with a wide, slightly curved staircase. Then you would probably be invited to the dining room - to dine or drink tea. Allsignificant events and balls were held in a white hall with large windows and a crystal chandelier under the ceiling. It would be possible to retire with suitors in a room with an alcove. Gentlemen would certainly appreciate the decoration of the billiard room.
The second floor has always been reserved for the master and guest bedrooms. There was also an upper study and a boudoir. Another office for business meetings was located on the ground floor.
One can only imagine with what luxury the rooms were furnished. The Kelchs were insanely rich and hardly saved on decoration.
Patio
Kelch's mansion (St. Petersburg) is most famous for the decoration of its patio. All internal facades are classical Gothic. The architect Schmidt especially succeeded in the effect of unplastered brick walls, which completes the picture. But most attention was paid to the gothic openwork pavilion, which housed the stables. The statue that adorns the interior was brought in a few years later. The entrance to the courtyard itself begins with a Gothic arch.
Where is it?
Even many of the indigenous inhabitants of St. Petersburg do not know where the Kelkh mansion is located. How to get there, we'll figure it out together. First you need to get to the Chernyshevskaya metro station. From it, go along the avenue of the same name to the intersection with Tchaikovsky Street. Turn left and find house number 28. You are there.
