The M altese Chapel is a Catholic church belonging to the Order of the Knights of M alta, which was built in St. Petersburg by the famous architect D. Quarenghi in the 18th century. This building is part of the Vorontsov Palace complex. The history of construction, architecture and unusual facts will be discussed in this article.
History of Appearance
The M altese Chapel is part of the Vorontsov Palace, but it was built later than the main building of the complex. The palace was created by the famous architect of that time B. F. Rastrelli in the period from 1749 to 1757. The decoration of the building was so expensive that six years later Count Vorontsov was forced to transfer his palace to the state treasury due to numerous debts.
For seven years, until 1770, the palace was empty, and then it began to be used as a guest house. Princes have stayed here at various times. Prussia, Nassau and nobles. However, after the accession to the Russian throne of Paul I, who later became the Master of the Order of M alta, the former palace of Count Vorontsov was given to the Knights of M alta for use. After the capture of the island of M alta by Napoleon I in 1798, the knights were forced to seek refuge for their order, which was provided to them by Emperor Paul I.
Start of construction
Giacomo Quarenghi from the end of the 18th century was a court architect and was engaged in the design and construction of buildings by order of the emperor. From 1798 to 1800, he began the construction of the M altese Chapel and attached it to the main building of the palace. In mid-June 1800, the erected church was consecrated by the archbishop.
The chapel was erected in honor of St. John of Jerusalem and adjoined the Vorontsov Palace from the courtyard garden. The building of the M altese church is deservedly considered one of the best buildings of D. Quarenghi. The interior of the temple is characterized by majestic monumentality and at the same time simplicity of design and ideal proportions.
Church Description
The M altese Chapel (St. Petersburg) is a columned hall with a semicircular apse and two aisles (side, additional altar). The interior decoration is painted, there are a large number of elements made in sculptural and stucco technique. Some elements of the details are lined with artificial marble, most of them have survived to this day.
The church is built in the shape of an elongated quadrangle,on both sides there are choirs (upper galleries), next to them there is a magnificent organ, which was transferred here from the Tauride Palace. Light enters the M altese Chapel through the semi-circular windows located near the choirs and above the doors at the entrance. Near the wall, under the semi-vault, there is an altar, in the upper part of which John the Baptist is depicted. The vault of the chapel is skillfully painted in the style of the M altese temple painting.
All church utensils, as well as two chandeliers are covered with gold and shine with majestic brilliance. Next to the altar, under a canopy, there is a red chair upholstered in velvet, on which sat Paul I, who was the Master of the Order.
Capella in the XX-XXI century
After the revolution, in October 1917, the Petrograd School of the Red Army Infantry was located in the M altese Chapel of the Vorontsov Palace, which was later transformed into an infantry school. In 1955, the Suvorov School appeared here. The chapel was used by educational institutions as a club. Utensils and most of the items that were in the temple were given to the city museums.
Restoration and repair work was repeatedly carried out in the chapel. The last restoration lasted from 1986 to 1998. In 2002, the Museum of the History of Russian Cadets was opened in the Quarenghi M altese Chapel. Currently, the chapel is used as a concert hall, where the organ, which has been preserved from the time of construction, plays regularly.
Capella Concerts
The chapel is known for the fact that it has long been giving concerts of organ musicand choral singing. This place, thanks to its unique acoustics, attracts numerous music lovers.
Tickets for a concert in the M altese Chapel are not easy to buy, even despite their low price, which is 200-250 rubles. Music lovers rush here to hear the organ and choir, and architecture lovers to see the beauty of this building.
Therefore, as soon as tickets appear, they are immediately sold out. You can enter the territory of the church only with a ticket, which is a pass, otherwise the security of the Suvorov Military School will simply not let you through. Children under the age of seven accompanied by an adult can enter for free.
The M altese Chapel has become a kind of center of organ music in St. Petersburg. Here you can always hear performers giving concerts around the world. This is what attracts organ connoisseurs here.
Reviews
Tourists who visited the M altese Chapel of St. Petersburg talk about the magnificent architecture of this building, which has been preserved to this day. This church is unlike any other church in St. Petersburg.
Those who were lucky enough to get tickets for a concert in the chapel talk about the unusual acoustics, which are immediately felt by the listeners inside. The sound vibrations from the organ are so strong that you feel them with your skin, the sound surrounds you from all sides.
Architecture connoisseurs who visited the M altese Chapel speak of the splendor of Quarenghi's design, whichmanaged to create a real masterpiece. The temple perfectly combines all the elements that are emphasized by the magnificent painting.
Those who have visited the chapel attached to the palace note the beauty of the entire complex. Its unusualness lies in the fact that the Vorontsov Palace was built by Rastrelli, and the M altese church was built by his rival Quarenghi. However, despite this, the whole complex as a whole turned out to be very harmonious and looks like a single architectural concept.
When you are in Venice of the North, as Saint Petersburg is affectionately called, take some time to visit this beautiful building. The magnificent architecture, wonderful murals and the atmosphere of this place will appeal to anyone. After visiting this unique place, you will have a lot of positive impressions that you will carry through your whole life.
