Kadriorg estonia. Kadriorg palace and park ensemble

Kadriorg Park (Tallinn, Estonia): detailed description, address and photo. Opportunities for sports and recreation, infrastructure, cafes and restaurants in the park. Reviews of tourists.

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One of the masterpieces of the Baroque era, the Kadriorg palace and park ensemble was created by order of Peter I for his wife Catherine. The palace was built by the architect Niccolo Michetti in the style of Italian villas. The large hall, decorated with rich stucco molding and ceiling paintings, as well as the vestibule and some tiled stoves have retained their former appearance to this day.

The large hall, decorated with rich stucco molding and ceiling paintings, as well as the vestibule and some tiled stoves have retained their former appearance to this day.

Since 1921, the building has housed the collection of the Estonian Art Museum, and since 1929 it served as the residence of the head of the Estonian government.

In the palace guest house and the park pavilion are the art museum's restoration workshops. Opposite the main gate is the guardhouse, ice cellar and kitchen, which houses the private collection of Johannes Mikkel. The park adjacent to the palace is characterized by the severity of lines and the simplicity of geometric shapes, and together it is a miniature Versailles!

Address: Estonia, Tallinn
Start of construction: 1718 year
End of construction: 1727 year
Architect: Nicolo Michetti
Coordinates: 59 ° 26 "18.4" N 24 ° 47 "29.3" E

Content:

Short description

Just 10 minutes by car from Old Tallinn, the tourist enters the prestigious seaside district of Kadriorg.

A bird's eye view of the Kadriorg palace and park ensemble

Thanks to the fresh sea air and beautiful park Kadriorg has long been a favorite place for walks among residents and visitors to the city. In the ensemble of Kadriorg, wooden houses of the 19th century and luxurious villas peacefully coexist, but the main attraction of the area is the Kadriorg Palace (Ekaterinental).

The history of the palace dates back to the times of the Great Northern War (1700 - 1721), when Peter I conquered Estonian lands and ordered to build a mini-Versailles for his wife Catherine. On July 25, 1718, Peter I, together with the court architect Nicola Michetti, measured the area for the foundations, determined the composition of the new palace and gardens. Tradition says that the Russian tsar himself laid the first stone in the foundation of the building.

At that time, Michetti was up to his throat busy with St. Petersburg affairs, completing the construction of the Monplaisir pavilions, Marly in Peterhof, the Hermitage and the palace in Strelna, so the tsarist architect sent his deputy, M.G. Zemtsov, to Revel. In 1721-1725, Zemtsov headed the construction of Kadriorg, guided by the drawings and instructions of Michetti. By the time of the last visit of Peter I to Tallinn (1724), the interiors of the palace had not yet been completed, the finishing work was completed only after the death of the tsar. Kadriorg was rarely used as a royal residence. While the construction of the main building was underway, the royal couple lived for some time in the side pavilions. Later, all the All-Russian emperors who visited Tallinn stayed at the Kadriorg Palace. Initially, the palace was called Yekaterinental (German: Catherine's Valley), but the townspeople changed the name to the Estonian style - Kadriorg ("Kadri Valley").

Kadriorg State Hall - Imperial Baroque luxury

Like Italian villas The Kadriorg ensemble consists of a palace erected on a dais and two pavilions... The facade of the main building is decorated with a protruding projection with a central portal leading to the lobby. A cenotaph with the image of the Russian coat of arms and anchor is installed in the wall of the lobby. In the middle of the slab is engraved a text in Latin, the translation of which reads: "Peter I, by the grace of God, the king of all Russia, commanded to build a house on this place in Revel in July 1718".

Also in the lobby are three replica sculptures: Venus de Milo (work of G. Voss, 1859) and two lions by A. What are, similar to those in the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome. The suite of palace rooms occupies two floors. The main pride of the palace is the Great, or White Hall, richly decorated with stucco. The lower part of its walls is decorated with pilasters topped with openwork capitals with volutes and floral wreaths, and the upper part is rhythmically dissected by decorative blades.

The ceiling is decorated with picturesque plafonds framed with stucco decoration in the form of leaves, shells and flowers. The central plafond painting "Diana and Actaeon" captures the moment of myth when Actaeon spied on Diana and her nymphs bathing, causing the goddess to anger. The Great Hall is furnished with fireplaces, richly decorated with vases with flowers and busts, and above them, on the walls, against the background of stucco curls, there are cartouches crowned with crowns with the Latin letters "E" and "P" - the initials of Peter and Catherine.

Kadriorg park and the house of Peter I

In Kadriorg Park, there are ponds, fountains with gazebos, fancy flower beds and a rose garden. Alleys are laid from the palace, and on an islet in the middle of the Swan Pond in the summer they organize concerts under open air.

In 2011, Japanese landscape architect Mason Sone laid out a Japanese garden with rhododendrons, azaleas and irises in the park. In the immediate vicinity of the Kadriorg Palace are the residence of the President of Estonia, the house-museum of Peter I and the Kumu Art Museum, covering Estonian art from the 18th century to the present day. Peter's two-story house is furnished in the spirit of Peter the Great's times, the tsar's personal belongings have been preserved - a table with a map of the Baltic laid out on it, a model of the Shlisselburg ship, two secretaire cabinets, etc. In 1714, Peter I bought this house with the adjacent lands from a widow landowner Drenteln for 3500 thalers. While the Kadriorg Palace was under construction, the All-Russian Emperor was content with a modest burgher dwelling.

Returning to his residence a few years later, Peter I expressed surprise that the residents of Revel did not go to the new park. The guard officer reported to the tsar that the commandant had forbidden the townspeople to walk around the tsar's possessions. The very next day in Tallinn, the imperial will was announced to the accompaniment of drums: all residents of the city are allowed to visit Kadriorg and enjoy its beauty.

I really love to visit the Kadriorg park in Tallinn. It is beautiful in all seasons of the year. In summer, there is a riot of greenery, a play of fountains, a pond on which black and white swans gracefully swim, which tourists and locals love to feed.

The flower beds are real living pictures, skillfully and carefully created by park workers. Palaces, museums, children's playgrounds, the Song Festival Grounds. All this will share your summer mood!

In the fall, you will find yourself at a real ball of falling leaves. Expansion for children - you can knock down spiny chestnut hedgehogs with sticks (they will not scold), make wreaths of leaves.

In winter, it’s just nice to wander through the sleepy alleys, covered with snow, to feed the birds and squirrels, which are completely tame here and trustingly can take food right from your palm.

In spring, here you are happy to watch the awakening of nature, breathe in the fresh park air, and the heart also revives and thaws.

Interesting fact: In Kadriorg, one might say, the Estonian spa culture was born. And the first such salon was founded on the coast back in 1813 by a certain adviser Witte.

How to get there

We have to move from Viru Keskus bypassing Tallinn University along the Narva highway. Brisk step you will get there in 25 minutes.

History

The very name "Kadriorg" sends you and me back to the times of Peter the Great, because it was in honor of the beloved wife of the Great Catherine that the park got its name. True, at first it was pronounced as Ekaterinental, but after that it turned into a modern name understandable to the Estonian ear. “Kadriorg” means “Kadri valley”, and Kadri, you guessed it, is the Estonian analogue of the beloved name of ancient Greek origin in Russia - Ekaterina.

The park is located on 300 hectares. After the surrender of Tallinn (then - Reval) and the annexation of Estonia to Russia during the events of the Northern War of 1700-1721. Peter the Great and his wife first arrived in Revel in 1711.

In Revel, they really liked the place near Lasnamägi (Bald Mountain), where the noble people of Revel had their summer manors. So Peter I bought one of the plots into state ownership of Russia in 1714. In the house located there, our king made his residence (today - a museum: house I). Compared to the Petersburg scale, it was very modest.

In the garden adjacent to Peter's house were growing "unprecedented trees" from Holland - chestnuts. According to the plan, it was decided to create in this unique natural place a palace and park ensemble, as in the capital's Peterhof. The case was entrusted to the Roman architect Niccolo Michetti with his assistant Gaetano Chiaveri, as well as their "colleague" - St. Petersburg resident Mikhail Zemtsov.

It is believed that Peter the Great himself laid 3 bricks in the wall of the palace, which was finally built in 1727. They are located in the corner pilaster of the northern wing. At the same time, park ponds were created.

Today we can see some of the beauty conceived by Peter in the 18th century. Unfortunately, his ideas were never implemented until the end. By the way, the founding king of this Tallinn pearl himself ordered to make the park public, that is, with his light hand, Kadriorg became a public domain.

Original layout

The three-level natural landscape of the area itself eloquently suggested how to arrange the location of park zones. In front of the palace, which majestically spread its 2 wings on a ledge like a giant stage, the Lower Garden was supposed, behind the palace - a garden of flowers with a fountain Mirage wall. And above - Mirage Lake with an upper garden.

The lower garden, which at its base had the shape of a cross, was divided by alleys. In its oak forest, there are still oak trees, which are older than the palace. Arched bridges were thrown across the canals. In front of the palace, the space was decorated with flower beds. The upper garden was a courtyard.

Here and today, they maintain a color scheme of colors to match the pink walls of the palace. Peter also wanted to create a sculptural cascade of fountains, for which a canal was dug from Lake Yulimiste to feed the ponds and canals of Kadriorg.

But after his death, the new royal court considered it worthy of attention only to bring what Peter began to the end. But even in this "unfinished" version, the Kadriorg ensemble appeared as a grandiose masterpiece in the Baroque style for little Tallinn.

Reconstruction of "Kadriorg"

V late XIX v. The lower garden became more like dark dense thickets. In 1897, the oak grove was thinned out according to the project for the renovation of Kadriorg. The sea views have become more open. In 1902, at the end of the Morskaya Alley by the sea, a monument "Mermaid" was erected (a story about it below). In 1934 the Swan Pond was changed. An elegant rotunda (architect V. Seydra) has appeared on the islet in the center, opposite which everyone is very fond of taking pictures today. On the site there is a decorative garden - Kivisilla with flower beds, on which, keeping traditions, and today, flowers are planted in the colors of the Estonian folk costume... A sundial is also installed there.

A Youth Park with a swimming pool and sports grounds appears to the south of the pond. In the part facing Lasnamäe, there is the concert hall of the Song Festival Grounds. The Rose Garden with a fountain is laid out on the lower terrace, the building of the Presidential Chancellery (architect A. Kotli) is under construction, where the Presidential Palace is now located.

Some of the canals of the Lower Garden have been eliminated, but a pond has appeared, into which a fast stream runs from the rocky slopes of the Little Wolf Gorge - Väike Hundikuristik. In 1990, the Kadriorg Small Enterprise took over the transformation, rolling up its sleeves. Having gained independence, he again draws attention to unique park, which appeared in its capital, by the way, thanks to the Russian tsar.

In 2000, the palace of Catherine was restored and the Flower Garden with fountains was restored.

In 2005, a bronze sculpture "Poseidon" (sculptor M. Carmin) appeared in a cascade niche, and a rose garden with 5,500 rose bushes replaced the alpine slide.
In summer, I highly recommend visiting this wonderful place. Aroma, beauty, tenderness!

In 2006, busts of the presidents K. Päts and the legendary L. Meri, whose name is today the Tallinn airport, were installed in the niches of the wall of the Upper Garden.
In 2011, the Japanese Garden, which is the rarest in Europe, will open in Kadriorg.
Kadriorg Park is free to visit all year round and around the clock!

Major attractions

I really want you to love this wonderful vacation spot just like me! Kadriorg should be given a full day of your trip, because there are so many interesting things to do!

Monuments

On the map you can see their location in Kadriorg.

Monument "Mermaid" (Russalka mälestussammas) - No. 1. This creation famous sculptor and painter, academician, one of the founders of Estonian national art Amandus Adamson. There is a monument by the sea at the exit from "Kadriorg". Dedicated to 177 sailors of the Russian Imperial Navy who died on the battleship "Rusalka" on September 7, 1893. Created mainly with donations from citizens. Newlyweds will certainly come here, and school graduates greet the dawn. Beautiful tradition... Tourists like to take pictures at the site of the monument. Climb the steps of the stone staircase, opposite which is a bronze bas-relief depicting an armadillo battling a storm. Read the names of the 12 officers who died. On the pillars surrounded by the monument are the names of 165 other members of the Rusalka crew. Bronze parts were made in St. Petersburg, lanterns in Revel, granite was brought from Finland.

Byust the author of "Mermaid" Amandus Adamson, installed in 1962 (sculptor Albert Eskel, architect Allan Murdmaa) - №2.
Monument Estonian teacher, doctor, writer Friedrich Reingold Kreutzwald, opened in 1958 (sculptors: Endel Taniloo and Martin Sachs) - №3.

I think it will be interesting for you to know that the main work of this unique writer is the national Estonian epic Kalevipoeg, based on folk tales. And we see images of Kalev and his wife Linda on the wrappers of the most popular Kalev chocolates.

Monument to the politician and activist Jaan Poska, installed in "Kadriorg" in 2016 (architects Pille Noole, Yullar Ambos and Ioannis Likuras, sculptor Elo Liiv) - №4.

Monument to Estonian sculptor Jaan Koort, established in 1983 (authors: Edgar Viyes and Andres Mänd). The works of Koort himself are presented in the KUMU Museum, located in "Kadriorg" (which I will also talk about) - no. 5.

Monument to Gustav Ernesaks- to an Estonian songwriter, composer and conductor. (2004, work by E. Valli and V. Lillimets). A large 2.5 m sculpture is located on the Song Festival Grounds - # 6.

One gets the feeling that the composer is sitting and looking at the song arena. On the basis of the monument - the autograph of Ernesax himself. Children and adult tourists love to be photographed on his lap.

Museums

For convenience, I propose a map of the museums I describe.

Catherine Palace (№1)

Today it houses one of the 5 branches of the Art Museum of Estonia. There are works of foreign art of the 16th - early 20th centuries: Western European and Russian painting, graphics, sculpture and applied art (more than 9000 works). That is, it is the only museum completely dedicated to masterpieces created outside Estonia. Its branch is the Mikkel Museum.

The main goal of the Kadriorg Art Museum is, so to speak, "to bring beauty, created outside the country, to the masses."

The conferences held here and scientific publications are also used for this. Therefore, this museum has a wide network of friendly contacts. It includes collegial relations with museums, restoration centers and scientific institutes in Europe and Russia, cooperation with institutes of Estonia itself.

Classes for students and student practice are held here. It also has its own educational center - with the pompous name of the Palace School, where every year more than 1000 excursions and a lot of events for children are organized, dozens of youth programs are carried out, as well as lectures of the Saturday Academy for adults, guiding courses are organized, and even birthday celebrations are held.

The museum often hosts chamber concerts and receptions.

Opening hours and tickets

October – April: Wed: 10: 00–20: 00; Thu-Sunday: 10: 00-17: 00
May – September: Wed: 10: 00–20: 00; Tue, Thu-Sun 10: 00-17: 00
Tickets: adult 4.80 EUR, concessions - 2.80 EUR, family - 9.30 EUR.
Free with TallinCard.
General, admission to KUMU, Kadriorg Art Museum and Mikkel Museum - 11 EUR (the most convenient option)

Mikkel Museum (no. 2)

Also - a branch of the Art Museum of Estonia. Located in a small house of the former kitchen of the Catherine Palace. All exhibits were donated in 1994 by the collector Johannes Mikkel (1907-2006). This is the richest private collection in Estonia. Such is the "micro Tretyakov Gallery". Here are a lot of works of art of different techniques of execution of the period of the XVI-XX centuries.

Mikkel himself considered himself a philosopher, and his philosophy preached, as a collector, that there is no need to search for art objects, since art itself has the gift of coming where it is understood and loved.

Opening hours and tickets

Opening hours: Wed: 10: 00–20: 00; Thu-Sunday: 10: 00-17: 00;
Adult ticket (from 2017) - 5 EUR, reduced ticket - 3.50 EUR, family ticket - 10 EUR

KUMU Museum (no. 3)

I, having seen enough museums in different parts of the world, amazed me pleasantly. Somehow at once! I just plunged into his melody, and I wanted to sing along! It will take at least 2 hours to inspect the galleries of this one of the 5 branches of the Art Museum of Estonia (and by right of scale - the main building, opened in 2006). It displays Estonian art from the 18th century. to the present day.

I wrote about him in. The museum has a cafe, so you can drink coffee and even dine right in between viewing the exhibitions. I would especially like to draw your attention to the interactive exhibitions of young talented designers and artists that are happening here. Taking part in their plans, you yourself seem to start playing some game that suddenly opened for you. The museum is good for inspiration and relaxation.

Ticket prices from 2017: adult 8 EUR, reduced price 6 EUR; family 16 EUR

Miiamilla Children's Museum (no. 4)

A branch of the Tallinn City Museum, located near the Swan Pond in a cozy house with a turret. Opened since 2009 for children from 3 to 10 years old. Children under 7 years old are certainly accompanied by adults, for whom everything here will be interesting for them. A prerequisite is that you need replacement shoes. Not captured, the choice is yours - either stomp in your socks, or buy slippers at the checkout.

There is also a nice innovation in this museum: if you came with several children, and one of them is a little girl (and there is no one to leave at home with anyone), then you will be given a lock for the stroller, which you will use to fasten it from the outside and avoid “theft of this vehicle”!

Here children ask questions, twist and twist everything, try by eye and by tooth (probably). It's fun and interesting! In addition, there is a cozy cafe for you: pastries, juices, coffee, ice cream!

Opening hours and tickets

You can come here Tue-Sun: 12: 00-18: 00 (ticket office closes at 17:30).
Tickets: family (two adults and up to four children) - 6 EUR; preferential (children from 3 years old, schoolchildren, students, military personnel, pensioners) - 2 EUR; adult - 3 EUR. Little girls up to 2 years old - free of charge! Active Tallinn Card.
We photograph everything, but only on condition - no flash!

House-Museum of Peter the Great (№5)

Since 1941 - a branch of the Tallinn City Museum.

This is the very house-residence, the modesty of which I have already mentioned. Here the royal couple of Peter and Catherine stayed since 1714.

The preservation of this house was taken care of by Emperor Alexander I, who visited Revl () in 1804, having seen the state of this house, he demanded to restore the dilapidated "old palace" of Peter I. And, it should be noted that already in the 19th century this museum became popular among both Revelians and their guests. Today, educational lectures, events and excursions (including in Russian) are held here.

Opening hours and tickets

Tickets: adult - 2 EUR; students - 1 EUR; with TallinnCard - free of charge.
Open: (May – August) Tue – Sun: 10: 00–18: 00; (October – April) Wed – Sun: 10.00–17.00

Also worth seeing

These sights can be viewed here:

Japanese garden

When I saw this garden for the first time, I was very glad that another wonderful decoration appeared in Kadriorg!

The garden has been open since 2011, created in the sophisticated Japanese traditions by the landscape artist, hereditary gardener Masao Sone, and occupies 6 hectares. Such parks exist only in London and Amsterdam. The Japanese discourage the spread of their kindergarten school across Europe. But Tallinn was treated favorably.

The formation of the Japanese garden itself takes a long time, for years, therefore with each visit I find something new in this corner. On weekdays, it is more deserted here, so lovers of meditation have a chance to be in solitude. But in general, this place is popular, and it is becoming more and more visited.

At the exit you will see a boulder brought from Hiroshima. It reminds of the victims of the atomic bombing. Such is the combination of a blossoming life, and, as I felt, a reminder of its fragility.

It is better to visit here in summer, during the flowering period of irises, rhododendrons and azaleas. There are information tables next to the paths telling Interesting Facts about it wonderful place.

Singing field

In Estonian lauluvälja. It hosts song festivals, concerts during the Beer Festival, and various musical events. The indoor arena is a unique open-air stage built in 1959.

In 2004, a large statue of the famous Estonian composer and choral conductor Gustav Ernesaks logically appeared here (see the "Monuments" section).

As for the Song Festival Grounds, once, as a child, I myself participated among thousands of people in this legendary song festival. There were certainly choirs in all schools in Tallinn, and we all prepared in advance for this apotheosis event for the world of culture. No wonder this holiday is on the lists cultural heritage UNESCO.

The atmosphere was amazing. The next holiday will be held in 2019. And in winter, children love tobogganing from the snowy slopes here, and head over heels too.

Presidential residence

Opposite the Catherine Palace is another palace - the presidential one. It was built in 1938 in the neoclassical style. The president who lives here is guarded by an honor guard of two fellows in military uniform. It is interesting to watch the change of guards, and indeed of this guard in general.

We once saw that one of the sentries - a young boy - suddenly returned to his post with 2 paper cups. Apparently, the lads decided to cheer up with coffee. Yes, yes, he passed one glass to another, and they began to drink with pleasure right at the post! And then I imagined something that, in principle, is impossible to imagine! Someone from any of our honor guard, or from the guys who guard the same Buckingham Palace... It's unthinkable! And here! Maybe this means "freedom in Estonian"! In general, these brave security guys are usually quite friendly. Once they even started joking with us when we were taking pictures at the palace, asking them to be immortalized on camera. Once I had to observe another curiosity: in front of this residence, one day, quietly, under an umbrella opened from the sun, a strange-looking "tired traveler" was snoring, and no one chased him away. Apparently, this is why this place is reputed to be the “most homely” of the presidential residences in the Baltic countries.

Where to dine

Since it is really quite possible to stay in “Kadriorg” for a whole day, it’s time to think about where to eat for tired travelers!

A restaurant is suitable for lunch "Kadriorg" on A. Weizenbergi 18. The reviews are good. You can taste European cuisine with Estonian flavors.

By the Lebidin pond, be sure to drop by the cute cafe "Park Café" in the style of a Viennese pastry shop. Stylized waitresses' clothes, prints on the walls, an open summer terrace, excellent pastries, good coffee.
The Kumu and Miiamilla museums also have decent cafes.
In the park, there are often nice girls in national costumes from stalls stylized as carts, selling fried almonds of various varieties and some other sweets, so you can also enjoy yourself.

Finally

Kadriorg is a good place to be in any season. Here you will always get a lot of wonderful impressions. Indeed, even in rainy weather or in winter, you can visit museums and sit in cozy cafes. And let the natural splendor delight you with its fairy tales. What do I recommend? Take with you an umbrella, a camera, put on comfortable shoes for hiking and don't forget to grab a good mood too!

History

During the Great Northern War (1700-1721) Estonia was annexed to Russia. Revel capitulated in the fall of 1710, and already in December 1711, Peter I, together with Catherine, visited the city for the first time. The king liked the surroundings of Lasnamägi. From here, from the cliff, there was a view of the city and the harbor that was under construction. In 1714, Peter bought a part of their summer estate from the widow of Drenteln for 3,500 thalers into state ownership. The surviving house of this estate was put in order and adapted for the residence of the king. This house is now known as "Peter's house". The modest house was convenient for spending the night and viewing the picturesque surroundings, but its modest size and design did not meet its purpose.

The laying of a new palace and park ensemble was started on July 25, 1718 by order of Peter I. The project was drawn up by the Italian Niccolo Michetti. The construction work was supervised by his assistant Gaetano Chiaveri. In 1720, at the insistence of Michetti, Mikhail Zemtsov was sent to Revel, who headed the construction of the ensemble for four years according to Michetti's projects and instructions. From the spring of 1721 until the end of construction, all work was supervised by Zemtsov alone.

Already in the fall of 1719, the side pavilions (wings) were covered with tiles, and by the spring of 1721 the interior decoration was completed. Soon after that, Peter I and Catherine lived here for some time. The walls of the main building began to be erected in 1720, and the very next year it was put under the roof. Facade capitals from hewn stone, consoles and other details of stone decorations were made by the Riga sculptor Heinrich von Bergen. In July 1724, during the last visit of Peter I to Revel, most of the interior of the main building was still in the woods, the main work was completed mainly by 1727.

According to legend, during the construction of the building, Peter I put three bricks into its wall with his own hand. Later, when the outer surface of the walls began to be covered with plaster, the builders left the "royal" bricks unplastered. These three bricks, in the corner pilaster of the north wing of the palace, remain unplastered to this day.

After the October Revolution, the Revel Council of Workers 'and Soldiers' Deputies was located in the Kadriorg Palace.

In 1921-1929 and 1946-1991, the palace was the main building of the Estonian Art Museum. From 1929 to 1940, the palace housed the residence of the state elder (since 1938 - the president) of Estonia. Currently, the Kadriorg Palace houses a branch of the Estonian Art Museum - the Kadriorg Art Museum.

What to see

Like Italian villas, the Kadriorg palace and park ensemble consists of a palace erected on a dais and two pavilions. The facade of the main building is decorated with a protruding projection with a central portal leading to the lobby. A cenotaph with the image of the Russian coat of arms and anchor is installed in the wall of the lobby. In the middle of the slab is engraved a text in Latin, the translation of which reads: "Peter I, by the grace of God, the king of all Russia, commanded to build a house on this place in Revel in July 1718". Also in the lobby are three replica sculptures: Venus de Milo (work of G. Voss, 1859) and two lions by A. What are, similar to those in the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome. The suite of palace rooms occupies two floors. The main pride of the palace is the Great, or White Hall, richly decorated with stucco. The lower part of its walls is decorated with pilasters topped with openwork capitals with volutes and floral wreaths, and the upper part is rhythmically dissected by decorative blades.

The park has ponds, fountains with gazebos, fancy flower beds and a rose garden. Alleys are laid from the palace, and open-air concerts are held on an islet in the middle of Swan Pond. In 2011, Japanese landscape architect Mason Sone laid out a Japanese garden with rhododendrons, azaleas and irises in the park. In the immediate vicinity of the Kadriorg Palace are the residence of the President of Estonia, the house-museum of Peter I and the Kumu Art Museum, covering Estonian art from the 18th century to the present day. Peter's two-story house is furnished in the spirit of Peter the Great's times, the tsar's personal belongings have been preserved - a table with a map of the Baltic laid out on it, a model of the Shlisselburg ship, two secretaire cabinets, etc. In 1714, Peter I bought this house with the adjacent lands from a widow landowner Drenteln for 3500 thalers. While the Kadriorg Palace was under construction, the All-Russian Emperor was content with a modest burgher dwelling. Returning to his residence a few years later, Peter I expressed surprise that the residents of Revel did not go to the new park. The guard officer reported to the tsar that the commandant had forbidden the townspeople to walk around the tsar's possessions. The very next day in Tallinn, the imperial will was announced to the accompaniment of drums: all residents of the city are allowed to visit Kadriorg and enjoy its beauty.

Kadriorg is considered a prestigious area of Tallinn. The tranquil area is famous for its rich history and the main attractions - Kadriorg Palace and Park. Now on its territory is the residence of the Estonian president and a number of embassies of other states. The preserved wooden houses are also of interest; prominent figures of literature and art of Estonia lived in them in the 1920s and 1930s.

History

The construction of the palace and park ensemble was an initiative of Peter I, who founded in Revel (the former name of Tallinn) military harbor... The king liked these places overlooking the sea, so he decided to create his residence here. The complex was named in honor of the wife of Peter the Great - Catherine I, initially it was called Yekaterinental (which translates from German as Catherine's Valley), later the Estonians converted it into their usual Kadriorg. The lack of extra funds to finance the maintenance of the palace in the 19th century led to the need to rent out some areas, for example, private houses began to be built on them.

Soon the area became a place of concentration of country dachas - the proximity of the sea affected. Natural resources- healing sea air, a green area with a vast park - prompted the idea of organizing a whole balneological resort with bathing salons, boarding houses and restaurants. However, already in the 1860s, the previously fashionable resort ceased to compete with a more favorable climate. the Black Sea coast, recreation there has become more affordable thanks to the construction of railways.

The bathing salon was rebuilt into a summer casino for naval officers, and then the building was completely demolished - now there is little reminiscent of this page in the history of Kadriorg. Gradually, the territory of the park turns from a resting place of the nobility into a place of pastime for ordinary residents. Today Kadriorg is an area for comfortable living and a popular tourist destination.

sights

The tourist part of Kadriorg is famous for its palace and park complex, in which are located historical Buildings and museums.

Kadriorg park

The development of the park began in 1718; it consisted of three levels. When creating a regular park, decorative techniques were used, borrowed from different countries... The Italian style was traced in the arrangement of the terraces, the Dutch style in the improvement of the canals, while the flower compositions gravitated towards Russian traditions. In the 19th century, a landscape park began to develop, consisting of various types of deciduous trees, boulders and clays. During the Second World War, the park was badly damaged and it took several years to restore it. Today it is a great place for outdoor recreation.

Its real decoration is considered to be a regular park adjacent to the palace, its bright flower beds, bizarre landscape compositions are admirable. During the reconstruction, a national park was also created - a place for recreation and holding concerts and other entertainment events. In 2011, the development of the Japanese Garden began in Kadriorg, based on plants, stones and water. A Japanese landscape designer worked on the creation. The garden shows all the versatility of the beauty of nature. The original idea to place only Japanese plants here had to be abandoned - not all of them were able to adapt to the local climate.

There are several monuments in the park, among them the monument dedicated to the memory of the sunken battleship "Rusalka" stands out for its majesty and expressiveness.

Castle

Peter I, known for his irrepressible energy, decided to build his summer residence in Reval. The development of the palace project was entrusted to the Italian architect Nicolo Michetti; other foreign and Russian architects also took part in the construction. The tsar actively participated in the creation process and even laid a few bricks in the foundation of the building, the builders decided to leave a few of those bricks unplastered in memory of this.

Peter stated his thoughts about interior decoration the palace, according to its design, a ceremonial hall was created, richly decorated with stucco. This hall is the only one preserved the way the king intended it. The rest have undergone significant changes over time. Now the palace houses an art museum, which displays a collection of works of Western European and Russian art.

Museums

In memory of Peter's stay in these places, he managed to save a house, where he stayed with Catherine I. There is a museum where you can see things that belonged to the tsar and his wife, and learn more about the historical period of the reign of Peter the Great.

The Eduard Vilde Museum is housed in the former home of the Kadriorg castellan. Here, in an apartment on the ground floor, the famous writer lived the last 6 years of his life. Visitors will be interested to see the preserved interiors and get acquainted with the life and work of the writer.

Another museum on the territory of Kadriorg is named after Mikkel, a collector who donated his collections to create a museum. The collection includes works by European artists of the 17th-18th centuries, graphic works and porcelain.

The modern building houses the KUMU, the main building of the country's art museum. Here you can see works of Estonian art from the period early XVIII century until the end of the XX century, there is also an exhibition of contemporary art for visitors.

One more interesting place- Museum-library of the park, which houses an exposition dedicated to the history of the park. The library contains specialized literature on landscape and garden-park architecture.

There is also a children's museum in Kadriorg, it is called Miyamilla. In it, children in a fun way get to know the world around them.

How to get there

You can get to the palace and park complex by trams No. 1, 3, you need to get off at the Kadriorg stop. You can also get to the stop “J. Poska "by buses No. 19, 29, 35, 44, 51, 60, 63.

You can also get to Kadriorg by taxi, there are services in Tallinn: Amigo Takso, Tallink Takso, Tulika Takso, Uber, Yandex. Taxi.

Kadriorg: video