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Pavilion "Birdhouse"

Krasnoarmeyskiy Ave, 21A, Gatchina, Leningrad Region, Russia, 188307

"Ptichnik" is a building on the bank of the Kolpanka River on the southern border of Zverinets Park in the city of Gatchina, Leningrad Region. The structure was built at the end of the 18th century based on a design by A. D. Zakharov.
Imperial Parks: Gatchina
photo
Jermaine

At the end of the 18th century, in 1797, architect Zakharov developed a design for a pavilion intended to house pheasants for the imperial hunt in Gatchina. A year later, construction of a one-story stone building began on the bank of the Kolpanka River. The work was completed in 1801. The building, initially called the "Bird House," also known as the "Pheasantry," was built from limestone quarried in various pits around Gatchina: Paritsky, Chernovsky, and Pudostsky. Wood was partially used as well: for the ceilings and towers that rose above the semicircular projections at the ends of the building. Due to the death of Emperor Paul I, construction was halted — some decorative elements of the building, such as vases and eagle-shaped ornaments, were never completed.

Until 1820, the Bird House was used as intended. Then, until the 1840s, the Gatchina residence was rarely visited by the emperor. During this time, the building fell into disrepair. Uneven foundation settling caused through cracks in the walls, and some of the external cornices partially collapsed. In 1844, the building was dismantled, and restoration work began under the supervision of architect Baykov. This time, only Pudost limestone was used in the work. The towers at the ends of the building (previously wooden) were also rebuilt in stone. The interior walls were made of red brick. Later, a garden was laid out between the Bird House and the Kolpanka River, fenced off on the river side.

During the Great Patriotic War, the building suffered minor damage; after the war, the damage was repaired. Until the early 1980s, the building was used by the management of the Gatchina Palace Museum and by restoration workshops. In 1983, a fire broke out in the Bird House, leaving only the walls standing. To this day, the Bird House has not been restored.

From 2009 to 2012, the ruins of the Bird House were used for military-historical reenactments by clubs from Saint Petersburg and Gatchina. In 2013, the Bird House was fenced off with a metal grille.

In the spring of 2020, the grille was dismantled due to the expansion of the Gatchina Museum-Reserve territory. The Bird House ended up behind the new park fence, which now runs along Pilnenskaya Road in the Zverinets Park.

Source:

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Птичник_(Гатчина)

 

photo
Jermaine

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Petersburg: In the Footsteps of the Masons
Imperial Parks: Gatchina
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Imperial Parks: Gatchina
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Imperial Parks: Gatchina
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Imperial Parks: Gatchina
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Imperial Parks: Gatchina
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Sylvia Park

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Imperial Parks: Gatchina
The name "Sylvia" originates from the Latin "silvia" — forest, and is also connected to the journey of Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich and his wife abroad, during which they visited the French estate of Chantilly on June 10–12, 1782. At that time, there was already a park named "Sylvie" there (this was the poetic name of Marie-Félix des Ursins, wife of Henry II de Montmorency). Sylvia in Gatchina was created from 1792 to 1800 by architect Brenna and landscape gardener Hekket.
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Monument to Paul I

Krasnoarmeyskiy Ave, 1, Gatchina, Leningrad Region, Russia, 188307

Imperial Parks: Gatchina
The sculpture of Paul I is installed on a four-sided polished shaped pedestal made of Finnish granite. The emperor is depicted in a ceremonial uniform and tricorne hat, leaning on a cane. The emperor’s pose, the tilt of his head, and the expression on his face give the monument an air of dignity and grandeur. In Gatchina, the statue is placed on the parade ground in front of the Grand Gatchina Palace, near the parapet, facing the palace and the parade ground, as if the emperor were reviewing a parade. In Pavlovsk, the statue stands in the center of the Parade Ground in front of the Pavlovsk Palace, with the emperor turned toward the entrance alley, “welcoming guests” to his summer residence.
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Silvian Gates

Palace Park, Leningrad Region, Gatchina, Leningrad Region, Russia, 188307

Imperial Parks: Gatchina
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Three-arch Carp (Lion) Bridge

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Imperial Parks: Gatchina
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Palace Farm

Krasnoarmeyskiy Ave., 21A, Gatchina, Leningrad Region, Russia, 188307

Imperial Parks: Gatchina
On the southern bank of the winding Pilnaya River, during the time of Grigory Orlov, a cattle yard and dairy farm were built. Fresh meat, cream, and cottage cheese were supplied to the master's table. Following the European fashion, which proclaimed life in harmony with nature, Paul I gave the order to rebuild the old building.
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Cold bath

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Imperial Parks: Gatchina
An amazingly interesting structure, whose construction began at the end of the 18th century and was never completed, is still used for its intended purpose: during the hot season, the residents of Gatchina gladly bathe in the stone Cold Bath.
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Black Gates

Krasnoarmeyskiy Ave., 25, Gatchina, Leningrad Region, Russia, 188301

Imperial Parks: Gatchina
"The Black Gates" — gates in the wall of Sylvia Park, built at the end of the 19th century. The exit gates from Sylvia Park towards Yegerskaya Sloboda. The structure was created during the construction of the Sylvia Park wall along Ekaterinverdersky Avenue (today's Krasnoarmeysky Avenue) in the 1880s.
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Chesme Obelisk

H483+RW Gatchina, Leningrad Oblast, Russia

Imperial Parks: Gatchina
The Chesme Obelisk is a monument in the Palace Park of Gatchina, erected in honor of the Russian fleet's victory over the Turkish fleet in the Chesme Battle on June 24–26 (July 5–7), 1770, during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774. It is a simple marble obelisk built on the shore of the White Lake according to the design of the Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi in the 1770s, at a time when Gatchina belonged to Prince Grigory Orlov. It is one of a series of memorials dedicated to the victory in the Chesme Battle, alongside other monuments, buildings, and palace interiors in the suburbs of Saint Petersburg.
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Priory Palace or Castle

Krasnoarmeysky Ave., 1, Gatchina, Leningrad Region, Russia, 188304

Imperial Parks: Gatchina
The Priory Palace or Castle is an original palace in Gatchina. It is often called the Priory (from the French *prieuré* — "a small monastery, monastic estate"). It was built in 1799 by the architect Lvov. The name "Priory Palace" became associated with the Priory in the 20th century. The Priory Palace is not as luxurious as other palaces in the suburbs of Saint Petersburg. Its fame is determined by the unusual construction technology, original appearance, and the remarkable combination of the palace and the surrounding landscape.
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Priory Park

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Imperial Parks: Gatchina
Priory Park is a landscape park located in the southern part of the city. To the north, it borders the Palace Park; on the eastern and southern sides, the park is bordered by Soytu Street, which runs along the railway tracks. To the southeast, it is bounded by Parkovaya Street, which also runs along the railway line. The eastern boundary of the park is Chkalov Street. The main area of the park is occupied by a forested area. Within its territory, there are three lakes — Black, Pike, and Filkino.
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Grand Gatchina Palace

Krasnoarmeysky Ave., 1, Gatchina, Leningrad Region, Russia, 188307

Imperial Parks: Gatchina
Great Architects: Antonio Rinaldi
The Great Gatchina Palace was built between 1766 and 1781 in Gatchina according to the design of the Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi in the neoclassical style for Catherine II’s favorite, Count Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov. Situated on a hill above Silver Lake, the palace combines themes of a medieval castle and a country residence. The palace interiors are an example of Russian neoclassicism at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. The palace was one of the favorite retreats of the royal family.
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Lower Garden

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Imperial Parks: Gatchina
In front of the northern facade of the Grand Palace stretches the formal Lower Garden. It is located on a slope formed by a high ridge of the coastal part of the Gulf of Finland, occupying an area of 4.8 hectares. This is one of the first formal gardens in Russia, established two years after the construction of the Grand Palace began.
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