Friends, today we will take a stroll through the mansion of Alexander Alexandrovich Polovtsov, a remarkable architectural monument of the 19th century, located in the historic center of Saint Petersburg. Passing by many times, I could never have guessed the exquisite interiors hidden within this seemingly modest two-story building. Let’s step inside!
How to Visit
The address of the Architect's House is Bolshaya Morskaya Street, 52. The nearest metro station is Admiralteyskaya, although even from there, you’ll need to walk about 15 minutes. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to admire the grand Saint Isaac’s Cathedral and the stately Mariinsky Palace.
You can visit the mansion as part of a group tour, which is held on Saturdays and Sundays (though exceptions are possible, as tickets were completely unavailable for late December, for instance).
Admission costs 500 rubles, and tickets can be purchased through the website kassir.ru.
A Bit of History
In the early 18th century, the site where the Architect's House stands today belonged to Gavriil Ivanovich Golovkin, a statesman and close associate of Peter the Great. The first permanent single-story building appeared here in 1753, and by the end of the century, a second floor had been added.
In the early 19th century, the mansion passed into the hands of the Gagarin princes. Between 1835 and 1836, the house was completely rebuilt under the guidance of architect Alexander Khristoforovich Pel. Pel is known to us as the designer of many buildings in Saint Petersburg and as an assistant to the architect Auguste Montferrand, who constructed Saint Isaac’s Cathedral.
In 1858, the building underwent partial reconstruction again. Six years later, the house passed to perhaps its most famous owner, Baron Alexander Ludwigovich Stieglitz. As a wedding gift, he presented the mansion to his adoptive daughter, Nadezhda Mikhailovna Iyuneva, and her fiancé, Alexander Alexandrovich Polovtsov.
Over time, the Polovtsov House underwent numerous reconstructions, including changes to its interiors. Renowned masters such as Harald Andreyevich Bosse, Nikolai Fyodorovich Bryullov, Maximilian Yegorovich Messmacher, and Ludwig Ludwigovich Peterson participated in these works.
The Polovtsov heirs sold the building in 1916. In the 1920s, it housed the Society and School of Trade Unions. In 1934, the premises were taken over by the Union of Architects, an organization that gave the mansion its second name. The Union remains there to this day.
Today, we explored the history of the Architect's House. In the next article, I will try to share more about the ceremonial halls of this magnificent mansion.
In summary:
- Astonishingly diverse interiors;
- The mansion can only be visited as part of a guided tour, so plan to buy tickets in advance;
- Numerous landmarks and museums are within walking distance of the Architect's House.
