Architect Nikolay Krasnov (1864, Russia – 1939, Kingdom of Yugoslavia) was the chief architect of Yalta and the author of the famous residence project of the Russian emperors – the Livadia Palace. In Crimea, besides the imperial palace, he designed some of the most beautiful mansions, villas, and palaces. After the October Revolution, Nikolay Krasnov emigrated to Belgrade and effectively transformed the appearance of this city.

Nikolay Petrovich Krasnov was born on December 5 / November 23, 1864, in the village of Khonyatino, Kolomna district, Moscow province. After graduating from the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture in 1885, he was sent to serve in the Crimean city of Yalta, where he soon took the position of chief architect. Krasnov’s productive architectural and urban planning work in Crimea brought him fame in court circles, patronage from the grand ducal family, and personally from Emperor Nicholas II. In 1911, Krasnov was awarded the title of architect of the highest court; in 1913, he received the title of academician of architecture. The list of objects designed by Krasnov in Crimea before World War I includes more than 60 private mansions, palatial, public, and church buildings, and other structures, including the famous Livadia Palace.

In 1911, Krasnov was awarded the title of architect of the highest court; in 1913, he received the title of academician of architecture. The list of objects designed by Krasnov in Crimea before World War I includes more than 60 private mansions, palatial, public, and church buildings, and other structures, including the famous Livadia Palace. After the October Revolution, Krasnov was forced to emigrate first to Malta, then to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (1922), where, along with many other Russian émigrés, he found his second homeland. He was appointed inspector of construction in the Architectural Department of the Ministry of Construction of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes — the most competent state design bureau that united outstanding masters of Serbian architecture. His work was primarily related to designing monumental administrative government and capital buildings. As a court architect, he carried out design work on the decorative decoration of palace and church objects for King Alexander I Karađorđević.

All 17 years that Nikolay Petrovich was granted to live in his new homeland, he spent in this position. For obvious reasons, the time of outstanding projects that made his name famous was behind him, and age was taking its toll. Krasnov settled in Belgrade when he was already nearly sixty. The venerable Russian architect, out of respect for the country that sheltered him, signed his works of that period as “Nikolay Krasnov.” The palace complex in Dedinje. Of course, Nikolay Petrovich, being a monarchist, also worked with pleasure for the royal family. This primarily refers to the decoration of the residences of the Karađorđević royal family in Belgrade, in particular, the Royal Palace in the Dedinje district. Considering the Serbian dynasty’s passion for Russian antiquity, he created an interior for this building in the style of the Moscow Kremlin. Krasnov also designed interiors for the Karađorđević family in the same style for the mausoleum in Oplenac, whose interior decoration would remind any Russian of the interiors of St. Basil’s Cathedral on Vasilyevsky Descent in Moscow, or even the Kremlin’s Faceted Chamber. In the late 1920s – early 1930s, Krasnov was the master of thought for young Russian and Serbian architects who considered it an honor to work under his guidance. Many of them later built public buildings in socialist Yugoslavia, in which the influence of the former imperial architect’s ideas can be discerned.

The largest project Krasnov participated in during his final years was the design of the National Assembly building: the Russian architect designed the main facade, part of the interiors, the park near the building, and the fence. The building had been under construction since 1907 — with interruptions for war and national recovery. Krasnov was part of the authorial team during the third and fourth stages of construction. A modern architectural historian notes: “Krasnov made a special contribution to the development of the interior with all its details: window and door treatments, decorative plaster, wooden panels, metal decorative grilles, and furniture design.” The Serbian Parliament building, designed by Nikolay Krasnov, was consecrated on October 18, 1936, in the presence of King Peter II Karađorđević. Almost 30 years after construction began, the enormous complex was put into operation. Even today, when walking along Nikola Pašić Street near the Old and New Palaces, one cannot help but notice this masterpiece of architectural and construction science, built predominantly in the Art Nouveau style. Some work on the building, where the parliament was already meeting, continued until 1938. That same year marks Krasnov’s last works in the Balkans. He completed the Serbian memorial military cemetery in Greece. A year later, he passed away.

Krasnov’s activity in Yugoslavia during his lifetime was recognized with the highest awards: the Order of Saint Sava, 3rd class (1925), the Order of the White Eagle, 5th class (1928), the Order of the White Eagle, 3rd class (1929), and the Order of the Yugoslav Crown, 4th class (1930).

Krasnov died on December 8, 1939, in Belgrade, where he is buried in the Russian section of the New Cemetery next to the Iverskaya Chapel.

Sources:

https://balkanist.ru/nikolaj-krasnov-russkij-genij-v-yalte-i-belgrade/

https://culturelandshaft.wordpress.com/этногенез/этносы-буковины/портреты-россии/николай-краснов-архитектор-высочайш/