Kehl's mansion: address, description. Sights of Saint-Petersburg

In St. Petersburg, attractions at every turn. One of the brightest pearls among the architectural buildings of the 19th century is the Kelkh mansion. In one yard alone you can fall in love at first sight. Here, and eccentric gnomes, and sculptures, entwined with century ivy. Unfortunately, now it's difficult to get to the inner yard, but if you ever get the chance, use it.

Historical roots

From the middle of the 18th century, Tchaikovsky's street was inhabited a little. Here, basically, there were vacant lots of land, which were distributed to outstanding figures. One of these sites was donated by the merchant Broter, who at that time was the burgomaster. He gave the land to his daughter, but the house in this place did not appear, and this state of things persisted until the end of the 18th century. In the late 1790s, the owners changed constantly, and the name of the first person who built a stone base with a wooden second floor was not preserved in history.

In 1858, the house with the land along Tchaikovsky Street is bought by Gregory Kondoyanaki (Consul of Greece). According to A.Kolman's project, a beautiful baroque mansion is being erected here.

The Kehl Family

In the late 19th century, the heiress of Siberian industrialists, Varvara Petrovna Kelkh, moved to Petersburg. She was very rich because of the condition that her father had saved for her. In faraway Siberia, Varvara Petrovna belonged to the Lena gold mines and part of the steamer farm on the Lena River.

Settled in St. Petersburg, VP Kelkh buys land former Consul of Greece for 300 thousand rubles and orders to demolish the house. In its place, it was first planned to build a mansion in the style of the French Renaissance. The project was curated by the architects Schene and Chagin. But Varvara Petrovna did not like the result, and according to her orders another architect - KK Schmidt - is already starting to redevelop. He kept the overall picture, not changing the facade, but creating a unique patio in the Gothic style. For 2 years of construction was added a courtyard and stables.

The interior was no less beautiful. The Baron Kelkh's mansion was visited by the entire Petersburg nobility, never ceasing to be amazed at the decoration of the halls. That there was one white room in which there was a collection of eggs Faberge. It is known that Mrs. Kelch was a passionate lover of French creativity.

Divorce and maiden name

But to enjoy the beauty of the newly built house the Kelkh family did not last long. The complete completion of the construction took place in 1903, and already in 1905 Varvara Petrovna divorced her husband Alexander Fedorovich and permanently moved to Paris.

Alexander Fedorovich, unlike his ex-wife, did not possess untold wealth, so he needed money. In this regard, he sells the house, later known as Kelkh's mansion, and marries a second time. But his plans were not destined to come true. During the reign of Stalin, he falls into disgrace, and he is sent to the camps. His subsequent fate, alas, is unknown.

The Soviet period

Since March 1917, Kelch's mansion has become the first in the Soviet Union School of Screen Art. Here they became actors and directors. In 1922 the school became an institute. Behind the scenes, a house on Tchaikovsky Street was called an "ice palace". There was no central heating, and in the winter, although the fireplaces were working, it was terribly cold.

During the Second World War, the mansion suffered a high-explosive bomb. As a result of the explosion, part of the building was lost. All interior decoration was taken out and lost.

Until the end of the Soviet Union's existence, the house housed the party leadership of the Dzerzhinsky district of the city of Leningrad. In the halls of the palace meetings were held, and here again solemnly received new members.

The modern life of Kelh's mansion

From 1991 to 1998 the house was empty. It was transferred into the hands of one or another organization, but no one could settle here. Since 1998, the building of the former Kelkh mansion has housed the law faculty of St. Petersburg University. All Peter began to refer to him simply as the "House of Lawyers".

Until 2010, you could visit the restaurant, which was located on the ground floor. It was opened specifically to raise funds for the restoration of the palace. The restoration work really started in 2011.

How to see the house?

An excursion to the Kehl's mansion is an amazing journey through the halls of the palace. You can order a tour from many Peter travel agencies. For example, you can find out more detailed information on the site "Walks in St. Petersburg". Cooperating with the University of St. Petersburg, the organizers propose to make a unique tour to the historical past of the mansion. The guide is the head of the excursion department of the same university.

Interior

Unfortunately, we do not know much about how the house looked from the inside when the Kelkh family lived there. All furniture, furniture and decor were lost: first after the arrival of Soviet power, and after - during the Second World War. It is quite difficult to restore the whole picture, one can only assume that it was in one room or another.

The greatest value was the collection of Faberge eggs. It is known that the husband of Varvara Petrovna Alexander Fedorovich gave his wife a new work by the French artist on every anniversary of their life together.

Let's imagine what the palace was like in its best days. So, right off the street you would be met in the lobby with a wide, slightly curved staircase. Next, you would most certainly be invited to the dining room - to dine or drink tea. All the significant events and balls took place in a white hall with large windows and a crystal chandelier under the ceiling. To retire with the boyfriends could be in the room with an alcove. Gentlemen would certainly appreciate the decoration of the billiard room.

The second floor was always reserved for the owners and guests bedrooms. There was also an upper cabinet and a boudoir. Another office for business meetings was located on the first floor.

One can only imagine the luxury with which the rooms were furnished. Kelkhs were insanely wealthy and hardly saved on decoration.

Patio

The Kelkh Mansion (St. Petersburg) is most famous for its interior patio. All internal facades are classical Gothic. The architect Schmidt especially succeeded in the effect of unplastered brick walls, which gives the painting a finish. But most of all attention was paid to the openwork gothic pavilion in which the stables were located. A statue adorning the interior was imported a few years later. The entrance to the courtyard itself begins with a gothic arch.

Where is?

Even many of the indigenous inhabitants of St. Petersburg do not know where the Kelkh mansion is located. How to get there, we'll figure it out together. First you need to get to the metro station "Chernyshevskaya". From it on the same prospectus to go to the intersection with the street Tchaikovsky. Turn left and find the house at number 28. You are in place.