Vorontsov Palace: Governor's Residence and Imperial Visits

Architectural Monuments • Other places

The Vorontsov Palace, which is considered one of the main and most interesting sights of Simferopol, is a thoroughly reconstructed mansion that was built on this site in 1826 for Naryshkin, Governor-General of Taurida. Novorossiysk Governor-General, Count Mikhail Vorontsov, who administered the governorate from Odessa, bought a building from Naryshkin's widow in 1834 and turned it into his residence, as he sometimes had to visit Simferopol for work-related reasons.

The Vorontsov Palace has always been kept in perfect condition. The royalty often stayed here. So, in 1837 the imperial family lived here with Alexander, the Crown Prince of Russian Empire (the future Emperor Alexander II) and his mentor and teacher Konstantin Zhukovsky. The mansion is a fine example of a classic European Empire style. Remarkable is the kitchen in the estate - a separate building in the Turkish style, and the Fountain of Bakhchisarai, enlarged several times. After the death of the Count, and later of his son Semyon Mikhailovich Vorontsov, who was the only heir to the estate, the mansion was bought by the state and housed various institutions at different times. Nowadays the palace, with the recreated wall murals and interiors, has been granted the status of a monument of architecture.

Salgirka City Park around the Vorontsov Palace was laid in the early XIX century and is now considered to be the oldest park in the city. Vorontsov's estate is often called the "House on Salgir", as there is a river with this name running next to it. But the last few years the park is officially called the Vorontsov Botanical Garden. It was founded by teachers and students of the Taurida University. There is a rose garden and green labyrinths in the park.

Vorontsov Palace: Governor's Residence and Imperial Visits

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