In the summer months, the city of Pushkin resembles a real green oasis. Residential buildings are surrounded by squares and flowering flower beds. This small town also has several fairly large well-maintained recreation areas, and one of them is Babolovsky Park, about which there are many interesting stories and legends.
History of the Babolovsky Manor
Prince G. A. Potemkin was a favorite of Catherine II and one of the most beloved, as he actively participated in the conspiracy of 1762, after which the empress came to power. The history of the palace in Babolovo begins in 1783. Catherine II never regretted gifts for her loved ones, and this residence became one of the royal presents to Count Potemkin. The first house built in the Babolovskaya manor was wooden, but after 5 years a stone mansion was erected in its place. The summer residence was relatively small, it was notable for its asymmetrical layout, and thanks to the Gothic design of the facade, it soon became known as a palace. In the central, largest room, there was a marble bath for bathing.summer.
Granite bath in Babolovo
Despite its beauty and originality, the Gothic palace was not very popular. Due to the lack of constant attention and care, the building is deteriorating, and already in 1791 the residence does not look very presentable. The architect V. P. Stasov undertakes the reconstruction of the palace in 1824. The oval hall is expanded, and the marble bath is replaced with an incredible bath, made of granite monolith. Looking ahead, it should be said that the Tsar Bath in Babolovsky Park has survived to this day. This incredible bath was created by the then-famous master Samson Sukhanov. A bathtub was carved out of a block of red granite interspersed with a greenish hue of labradorite, weighing more than 160 tons. The dimensions of the finished bath are amazing: the depth is 152 cm, the height is 196 cm, and the diameter is 533 cm. An interesting fact is that a huge bath was originally installed, and after that a room was built around it.
Legends of the Tsar Bath and the palace in Babolovo
In the first half of the nineteenth century, granite baths were ordered and installed in their homes by many members of the royal family and just very rich people. However, the royal bath in Babolovsky Park, installed in a palace originally built for Count Potemkin, was unusual due to its size. The bath amazed even noble people who saw it for the first time. Gradually, legends began to form about the granite pool. There were rumors that CatherineII bathed in it in goat's milk. Some sources also contain information that the future emperor, Alexander I, was baptized in the Tsar-bath. They also say that the bath was used for love pleasures and for occult purposes. During the Great Patriotic War, the Germans saw the Tsar-bath and wanted to take it to Germany, but they could not think of a way to move the heavy bowl carved out of granite.
The fate of the palace today
The last full owner of the palace and park complex in Babolovo was Alexander I. The further fate of the Gothic palace with the Tsar Bath is not so rosy. Babolovsky Park and all the buildings located on its territory were badly damaged during the Great Patriotic War. Many trees were cut down, and the palace turned into a miserable ruin. After the end of the war, the recreation area was partially cleared and ennobled. No one was involved in the restoration of the palace. The abandoned walls of the once majestic and luxurious residence were increasingly dilapidated, but through the ruined arched windows one could still see the majestic bath.
Modern Babolovsky Park
Today the recreation area resembles a mixed forest. At the moment, the park covers about 30 hectares. Today it is a neglected forest and meadows with paths and a few sights. There are no cafes or attractions here, moreover, even benches can be counted on the fingers. However, this corner of nature is quite popular among city residents and tourists. Many visitorsinterested in the ruins of the palace and the granite bath in Babolovsky Park. However, today what remains of the central building of the complex is surrounded by a high fence, and it is not so easy to look at the royal bath. There are some other outstanding buildings on the territory of the recreation area. For example, the Pink Guardhouse, located immediately at the entrance to the park, a water tower (1887), a concrete pillbox built during the war. Less interesting "sights" are the houses made of betonite, in which the guards once lived, and the boarding house of the Izhora plant, built in 1970. It is quite possible that the palace will soon be restored, or another modern hotel or SPA center will appear in its place.
How to get to the Tsar Bath Park?
Babolovsky Park is one of the least known in Pushkin. Often, even the indigenous inhabitants of St. Petersburg only indirectly know the legends about Tsar Bath, but have no idea where this attraction is located. If you decide to see with your own eyes the ruins left from the past greatness, you need to get to the city of Pushkin. Where exactly is Babolovsky Park located, how to get to it? You can get from the railway station or the Catherine Palace by buses No. 188 and No. 273. You need to get off at the Starogatchinskoye Highway stop. On foot you can walk along Parkovaya Street along the Catherine Park.
