Olga's Pavilion

Olga’s Pavilion is a gift from Emperor Nicholas I to his daughter, Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, on the occasion of her wedding to Prince Karl of Württemberg. The pavilion was built in the style of country villas of the island of Sicily, in the capital city Palermo, where the marriage of the Grand Duchess was decided. The pavilion was constructed between 1846 and 1848, designed by architect Andrey Ivanovich Stakenschneider.

Construction work on the island proceeded very quickly: the territory was replanned, old buildings were demolished, and the new structure was created — all before the island was purchased from Truveller. By November 1845, all preparatory and earthworks were completed. On May 29, 1846, the approved pavilion plan was sent from Palermo to Stakenschneider, with orders to prepare the estimate and immediately begin construction. By the time Olga Nikolaevna arrived from Italy — by June 1, 1846 — the pavilion was “roughly finished and roofed.” For the wedding celebrations, the emperor ordered the pavilion interiors to be temporarily covered with painted canvases “under plaster.” On June 12, 1846, “The Sovereign, upon inspecting the works at Peterhof, graciously awarded the workers involved in finishing the grand palace and building the Italian-style house on Olga’s Island one ruble in silver each.” The finishing works in the pavilion, which were not completed by that date, continued through 1847–1848. For the pavilion’s construction, the emperor rewarded the architect with a diamond ring worth 2,000 rubles in silver.

The pavilion is a three-story tower with a terrace and a staircase descending directly to the water. Boats, gondolas, and ferries once docked here. The smooth walls of the pavilion are enlivened by bas-reliefs, balconies, niches with marble busts, and original rainwater drains shaped like winged dragons. The tower, winding paths planted with wild strawberries along the sides, trees, lilac bushes, barberry, jasmine, lawns, and flowers — the entire ensemble of the small Olga Island created a feeling of serenity and peace. The illusion of a paradise garden, where a person is in harmony with themselves, was enhanced by peacocks strolling around the island.

The interior decoration of Olga’s Pavilion is quite restrained but not without elegance: modest stucco and painted ornaments, parquet floors, marble fireplaces. On the first floor is the Dining Room, where the royal family held breakfasts and afternoon teas, during which they drank coffee and “ate tea.” The Empress and Olga Nikolaevna preferred coffee, while Nicholas I liked tea and, according to Olga’s recollections, “sometimes ate a salted cucumber with it.” A round table near the fireplace was set with items from Olga Nikolaevna’s dowry. These included napkins made of bleached linen, silverware, porcelain, and silver tableware sets. The dowry, the list of which filled dozens of pages, corresponded to the rank and dignity of a Russian Grand Duchess. Olga Nikolaevna was a true beauty, as confirmed by a portrait painted in Palermo in 1846 by artist P. Orlov. The happy days of rest in Sicily are recalled in the Dining Room by paintings depicting views of Italy.

The landscapes of the “land of dreams” also decorate Olga Nikolaevna’s Study, designed without excessive pomp — daughters of Nicholas I were raised in Spartan simplicity. On the study’s desk are writing instruments, including a mosaic press depicting the Sicilian coat of arms. On a separate small table is a sewing box. The tsar’s daughters were skilled at embroidery; in addition, they knew how to play music, and were taught drawing, singing, dancing, and horseback riding.

On the third floor of the pavilion is Nicholas I’s Study, decorated more modestly than his daughter’s interiors and adorned with a sculptural portrait of the emperor himself by Ivan Vitali, as well as engravings depicting Italian cities visited by the Grand Duchess’s father.

From the pavilion’s upper terrace, there is a magnificent view of Peterhof and its surroundings. From here, one can see the Belvedere, reminiscent of an ancient Greek temple, and the five-domed Church of the Holy Queen Alexandra, built on the Babigon Heights by architect Stakenschneider by order of Nicholas I, for whom Peterhof was always a favorite summer retreat.

Sources:

https://peterhofmuseum.ru/objects/islands/tsaritsin_i_olgin_pavilioni