Pavlovsk, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 196621
On the southwestern outskirts of the Belye Berezy district, at the beginning of the Rose Pavilion Alley, laid out from the Parade Field to the Circle of White Birches, stands one of the most poetic structures of Pavlovsk Park – the Rose Pavilion – a light wooden building constructed between 1807 and 1812 according to the design of architect Voronikhin.
Here, on the pond’s shore, near the alleys leading toward the palace, in 1799 the brother of Paul I’s childhood friend, Prince Alexey Kurakin, built a summer house. Later, on this site and with the permission of Alexander I, his aide-de-camp Prince Bagration (the future hero of the 1812 war) built a small house intended for storing and cultivating roses, which he presented daily to the lady of his heart, one of the empress’s maids of honor. Later, Maria Feodorovna bought this plot and ordered the construction of the Rose Pavilion on it.
The Rose Pavilion was surrounded on all sides by roses of rare varieties. The pavilion was built, or perhaps remodeled, from Prince Bagration’s former summer house by Voronikhin; on the architect’s project it is called an arsenal.
The building is crowned with a small dome, and all four facades were originally decorated with columned porticos. In the large central hall with the dome, “Aeolian harps” were embedded, producing melodious sounds when the wind blew.
The interior, furniture, porcelain vases, and dinnerware were all decorated with images of roses. The dance hall at the Rose Pavilion, whose decoration was supervised by Gonzago, could rival the palace and any other park structure in the beauty of its furnishings: garlands of artificial roses, a magnificent ceiling with a complex pattern assembled into a unified design, highly artistic chandeliers and candelabra of delicate design – all captivated the eye with elegance and taste.
At the Rose Pavilion, Maria Feodorovna warmly received artists, architects, and writers. Albums with Krylov’s poems and Kiprensky’s drawings were kept there. The upholstery fabrics in the pavilion were embroidered by the Württemberg princesses and court ladies.
On one side, in 1814, a Dance Hall was added to the Rose Pavilion according to the design of architects K. Rossi and P. Gonzago. The luxurious Dance Hall was built in just 17 days. Here took place the solemn reception of Alexander I and a grand ball in honor of Russia’s victory in the Patriotic War of 1812–1814 and the return of Russian troops from Paris. A theatrical celebration was arranged in their honor. Around the Rose Pavilion, stage platforms with Gonzago’s decorations and models of rural huts were set up.
There were great numbers of guests. Music for this celebration was specially composed by D. Bortnyansky, and the greeting texts were created by poets Vyazemsky, Batyushkov, and Zhukovsky. Lyceum students, including the young Alexander Pushkin, came on foot from Tsarskoye Selo to greet Alexander I. When Alexander I entered the Rose Pavilion, the choir thundered: “Russia, be proud of it!” The celebration lasted until dawn – music resounded over the illuminated park alleys, and fantastic bouquets of luxurious fireworks blossomed in the sky.
Later, the pavilion served for many years as a meeting place for Russian writers, musicians, and artists. Karamzin, Zhukovsky, Glinka, Krylov, Kiprensky, and others visited here. Concerts by famous musicians were also held here.
Sources:
https://www.citywalls.ru/house25741.html
http://love-gorod.ru/pavlovsk/obj/rozovyy-pavilon
