The Grand Livadia Palace is the summer residence of Nicholas II. Livadia Palace in Crimea. Yalta, Livadia Palace. History, photo. Location of the Livadia Palace

The Livadia Palace and Park Museum-Reserve is the residence of the Romanov family, built in a light southern style. Under this royal dynasty, Crimea became Russian, under it it was defended during the Crimean War, Sevastopol and Simferopol were laid down, the Black Sea and, in general, the Russian navy were created.

Unfortunately, it was her last crowned representative, Nicholas II, who turned out to be too weak to hold power in such a huge empire. Perhaps if he had spent a little less time in beautiful Livadia, the outcome of his reign would have been different. But be that as it may, the palace, beloved by the last Russian emperor, although significantly inferior in size to the palaces of Northern Palmyra, is beautiful, beautifully inscribed in the landscape and surrounded by a wonderful natural park, covering an area of 40 hectares and smoothly descending to the sea itself.

One of the most popular attractions of Livadia has long been the Sunny or Tsar's path. It starts in the park and has a length of about 7 kilometers and is picturesque at any time of the year. So, when going on an excursion to the Livadia Palace, be sure to reserve time for a walk along it.

Livadia Palace - the site of the Yalta Conference

In our photo gallery of the Livadia Palace there is a photo of the monument to the leaders of the "Big Three", that is, the heads of the USSR, the USA and Great Britain, who met to discuss a new world order in February 1945 in Yalta. This monument is already a new history of the Livadia Palace, the history of the 20th century. The photograph that served as the basis for the creation of this monument was taken just during the conference and is well known throughout the world. But pay attention - in the photo, Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill are looking ahead, and on the monument they seem to be discussing something.

On the video of the Livadia Palace, the hall on the first floor where the conference was held. All conditions are preserved. Unfortunately, the furnishings of the rooms where Roosevelt lived were almost not preserved. But on the second floor, where the Romanov family lived before the revolution, much has been recreated, and visitors can see a variety of household items in the rooms of the princesses, Tsarevich Alexei, the music room, and even go up to the roof to the solarium and admire the surroundings.

Be sure to check out the Romanov Holy Cross House Church, which is located just behind the Livadia Palace. Look at the faces of the saints on the frescoes, the artist's art is simply amazing, the views are lively, wise, inquiring.

How to get there. It is not difficult to find the Livadia Palace, the turn to it is 3 km away. from Yalta, and there are signs on both sides of the road. If you are going to get by public transport, then take bus number 11 in Yalta and go to the final "Livadia - Piglet". From other cities of Crimea, it is better to go to the Livadia Palace with an excursion, which all Crimean tour agencies offer.

In addition to, in fact, the Livadia Palace and the Exaltation of the Cross Church with a belfry, other buildings of pre-revolutionary construction have been preserved on the territory of Livadia. Also here is the cardiological sanatorium "Livadia".

The Livadia Palace in Crimea is rightfully considered the most beautiful on the entire peninsula, and it is not for nothing that it became the summer residence of the Romanov royal family. It was here that the Yalta Conference was held, the choice fell on him for a reason - Stalin loved to impress guests with luxury, and there was no more suitable building for this at that time. There is nothing like it even now: although the Crimea is rich in palaces, none of them can be compared in luxury with Livadia, which has already become its hallmark. And although it was repeatedly rebuilt, only this remained unchanged in it throughout its existence.

Where is the palace in Crimea?

The palace is located on the southern coast of the peninsula, on the Black Sea coast. It is located just 3 km from, in the resort, which is, in fact, a Yalta suburb.

Livadiysky on the map of Crimea

The history of the construction of the attraction

The first in this place was built by the Polish magnate Count Lev Potocki in 1834. It is not known what it looked like, because when Empress Maria Alexandrovna acquired it in 1861, she decided to completely rebuild it. Work on the restructuring of the old (Grand Palace) and the construction of a new (Small), intended for Tsarevich Alexander, was carried out according to the project of the Italian architect Monighetti.

In addition to two palace buildings, in the period from 1861 to 1871. appeared here, Ereklik's dacha, Svitsky house, expanded and decorated, broken by Pototsky. The imperial family liked the palace so much that it became its permanent summer residence, and in 1894 Alexander III spent his last days here while relaxing.

But the building of the Bolshoi turned out to be short-lived; by the beginning of the 20th century, it was in a rather deplorable and dilapidated state. In 1904, it was demolished to the very foundation, starting the construction of a new residence, called the White Palace. The talented architect Nikolai Krasnov was involved in the construction, bringing his grandiose and ambitious project to life in record time. Only 1.5 years later, in September 1911, on the site of a dull wasteland, the beautiful Livadia Palace arose, which finally took on its final appearance.

After the Civil War, it was completely looted and looked depressing. The new, Soviet leadership in 1925 adapted it as a sanatorium for peasants. But already in 1931, after a thorough renovation, it became a climatic sanatorium visited by proletarian writers and cultural figures. In 1945, on the initiative of Stalin, allied countries were held here. The choice was obvious - during the war the building was practically not damaged, the delegation led by Churchill was located nearby and did not think how to get to the Livadia Palace - from Yalta it was within easy reach. From February 4 to 11, the former royal residence, where the Americans were placed with President Roosevelt, became the place where the fate of post-war Europe was decided. And the photo of the three leaders sitting in front of him went around the world and brought wide fame.

What is attractive about the Livadia Palace Museum?

Back in 1974, a historical and memorial museum dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Yalta Conference was opened here. Initially, its expositions were located only in the main halls, but in 1993 the entire first floor was assigned to the museum. The tour covers:

The Livadia Palace in Crimea, as a museum, is largely known for these expositions. Basically, they are original, while the interior of the premises was restored from photographs of that time. Excursions are held daily, except weekends, the entrance is paid, but the prices are not too high.

What else is there for tourists?

In 2004, a museum dedicated to the stay of the royal family was opened here. The entire second floor is now occupied by the Romanovs in Livadia exposition. 5 rooms are open for tourists to visit:

The emperor's study is a very spacious and bright room, tastefully decorated, but with a rather simple interior, which reflects the tastes of Nicholas II, who eschewed excessive luxury.
The boudoir of the Empress - used as a family living room, where the Romanovs liked to spend time in a close circle. The original decoration, furniture, the Backer grand piano, which the Empress loved to play, vases and paintings have been preserved here.
The bedchamber of Their Majesties is the most luxurious room of all presented for inspection. It is furnished with sumptuous maple furniture, with a huge bed under a silk canopy.
The small dining room is small and cozy, like all the rooms where the Romanovs gathered in the family circle. It is beautifully and tastefully separated by yew wood, but without flashiness and frills.
The class room of the princesses - here the daughters of Nicholas II studied. Its most interesting exhibit is a blackboard with preserved inscriptions of one of the girls.

How to get to the palace from Yalta?

How to get to the Livadia Palace has never been difficult, even in the days of tsarism, and now it is even easier to do so. All you need to do is sit at the bus station, clothing market or near the Spartak cinema on minibus No. 5, 11, 27 or 32 and get off at the Sanatorium Dyulber stop.

It is also easy to get to the sights from the center of Yalta by car, the route on the map looks like this.

For more than 50 years, the Livadia estate was the summer residence of three families of Russian tsars: Alexander ΙΙ, Alexander ΙΙΙ and Nicholas ΙΙ.

In 1861, the South Coast estate, located in the town of Livadia, was acquired by the Specific Office from the heirs of Count Lev Severinovich Pototsky for the family of Emperor Alexander ΙΙ, who, by his Highest Decree, soon handed it over as a gift to "... the dearest wife ... the Empress Maria Alexandrovna" .

For the first time, the August owners came to the new estate in August 1861. The impression of Livadia remained very good, but it became clear that Pototsky's house was not suitable for the needs of a large imperial family, and the estate needed to be equipped in a new way.

Drawing up the building plan was entrusted to the well-known St. Petersburg architect Ippolit Antonovich Monighetti, who was in the service of the Ministry of the Imperial Court and was familiar with the tastes of Their Imperial Majesties. He had to rebuild the former house of Pototsky into a palace, build a church, houses for the grand dukes, retinues and a gardener, a new kitchen and various outbuildings.

Construction work continued from 1862 to 1866. Monighetti rebuilt and rebuilt about 70 different buildings, creating a unique ensemble, sustained in the traditions of southern architecture and delighting contemporaries with beautiful palaces with many small wooden houses entwined with climbing plants.

In the central part of the estate there were the Grand Royal Palace and the Small Palace for the heir, which became a real decoration of Livadia. The estate was buried in the greenery of the park, equipped with a garden master Klimenty Haeckel. Picturesque pavilions, fountains, vases and sculptures, located among exotic trees and flowers, gave the park a unique charm. A single harmonious architectural and park ensemble perfectly fit into the picture of the surrounding mountains and the sea, becoming one of the most remarkable places on the southern coast of Crimea, and the buildings of the Livadia estate later served as a model for urban planning in Yalta.

The family of Alexander II visited Livadia almost every year. The royal visits were important for the development of the entire Southern coast of Crimea: infrastructure was improved, streets and houses were improved, restaurants and shops were opened, and the entertainment industry developed.

The most august guests were met on the festively decorated pier by military guards, orchestras played, choirs sounded. All this attracted the resting public, followed by numerous visiting artists: acrobats, jugglers, itinerant singers... But especially remarkable were the colorful holidays that were held on the occasion of namesake days of members of the Royal Family. In the afternoon, on the slope of Mount Mogabi, fun competitions were held with the Tatars' horse riding, running in bags of “foot boys” and various games. In the evening, an unusually beautiful festive illumination was arranged in Livadia Park. Everyone, residents and guests of the city, could attend these holidays.

In addition to the resting public, tourists came to Yalta, who were just beginning to discover the beauty of the southern coastal nature. It is noteworthy that in Livadia in 1867 the Sovereign received the first American tourists who made a round-the-world trip on the Quaker City steamer. Among them was the writer Mark Twain. He told about the visit to the Tsar's Livadia in the travel notes "Simples Abroad", where he noted that the Americans were fascinated by the courtesy of the emperor, who personally showed them the Livadia Park.

Under Alexander ΙΙ, Yalta began to gradually acquire the status of the "summer capital". Even on vacation, the emperor sometimes had to resolve issues of national importance; high dignitaries, ministers, ambassadors, military and political figures came to an audience with the king. The year 1876 was especially tense, on the eve of the Russian-Turkish war. The emperor in Livadia had to make important military and political decisions.

The last time Alexander ΙΙ visited the Livadia estate was in 1880, shortly before his tragic death.

In 1881, Livadia was inherited by Emperor Alexander III. Having become king, he continued to stay in his beloved Small Palace, where he lived while still being the heir.

After 10 years, the Livadia estate became the venue for celebrations on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the joint life of Emperor Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna. Representatives of many royal families from Denmark, England and other European countries then came to Livadia. Congratulatory letters and telegrams came from all sides, and no one knew yet that after 3 years Livadia would again become a place to which the attention of the whole world would be riveted, but already in connection with sad events. In the Small Palace on October 20, 1894, in the armchair of his bedroom, the Sovereign of the vast Russian Empire, Tsar-peacemaker Alexander ΙΙΙ, ended his life.

The oath of allegiance to the Russian throne of Nicholas ΙΙ was taken in the Livadia Holy Cross Church. The day after the death of Alexander ΙΙΙ, under the vaults of the temple, the bride of Nicholas ΙΙ, Princess Alice of Hesse-Darmstadt, who was named Alexandra Feodorovna during the sacrament of chrismation, accepted the Orthodox faith.

The last Russian Emperor Nicholas II becomes the owner of the Livadia estate.

By the beginning of the XX century. The Grand Palace no longer met the needs of the royal family. In addition, after the survey, it turned out that due to dampness, a fungus appeared in the wooden structures of the palace, which not only destroyed the building, but also had a detrimental effect on health. In this regard, in 1909 it was decided to demolish the old palace and build a new one in its place, larger and more comfortable.

The design and construction of the palace was entrusted to the Yalta city architect Nikolai Petrovich Krasnov. Under his leadership, in 17 months, a magnificent palace was built from white Inkerman stone in the style of the Italian Renaissance. At the same time, a retinue house, a new kitchen, technical and utility buildings were erected, roads were laid, and the area of vineyards and orchards expanded.

Under the guidance of the talented garden master E. Renger, a park was improved, in which coniferous and deciduous trees were planted, a huge number of flowers that replaced each other depending on the season, picturesque corners were created, decorated with ponds and small-scale architecture.

Members of the royal family spent a lot of time walking along the shady alleys of the park, admiring the beauty of nature and breathing in the healing sea air. Along the picturesque paths they descended to the sea: in the spring they enjoyed the contemplation of the surf, and in the autumn they took sea and sunbaths.

Life in Livadia proceeded measuredly and serenely. The morning usually started with a cup of coffee, then a walk in the park, breakfast, in the afternoon a long walk on horseback or in cars, in the evenings - reading books, hobby classes, after a late dinner - playing cards, billiards, watching a cinematograph.

Being in a summer residence, Nicholas II did not leave state affairs either: he received ministers with reports, ambassadors and envoys, officials of the Taurida province, looked through business papers, and corresponded.

But first of all, people came to Livadia to rest. Hunting trips were a great pleasure. The king was a passionate hunter, and the hunting trophies he got were delivered to the Livadia Palace to decorate the walls of one of the corridors.

There were royal hunting grounds in the area of the Beshuiskaya dacha and the Kosmo-Demyanovsky monastery. Since 1913, they were reached by car along the newly built picturesque Romanovskaya highway, stretching from Massandra along the mountain slopes through the yayla to a small hunting lodge.

Cars from the Livadia garage could overcome rather steep mountain climbs, which made it possible to travel a lot along the South Coast, visit sights, the estates of local nobility, and relatives.

Often guests came to Livadia. Some of them were invited to play lawn tennis on a specially equipped tennis court in the park. Playing partners were often officers of the retinue and the beloved imperial yacht Shtandart.

The royal family spent a lot of free time on the yacht, traveling around the Baltic and Black Seas. When this magnificent ship was moored at the Yalta pier, life in a small provincial town changed dramatically. The visits of the royal family were accompanied by holidays filled with fun, a sea of lights, the music of brass bands, and festive processions. Yalta was especially transformed on birthdays and name days of members of the August family. Festive events began with a prayer service and military formations. The sovereign, being "the first professional military man of his empire", loved reviews of troops, regimental holidays, military parades, which often took place on the parade ground in front of the palace.

At that time, prayer services were held in the city churches, after which the residents and guests of the city went out to the Embankment, festively decorated with flowers, garlands, monograms of the birthday man. In the evening the city was brightly illuminated.

Annual charity bazaars, in which members of the imperial family took part, also became holidays for the city. In the spring, in the Livadia estate, as in Yalta, the “White Flower Festival” was held, the proceeds from the sale of white paper daisies were directed to the needs of tuberculosis patients.

Thus, during the periods of stay of the royal family in Livadia, Yalta became a kind of center of the secular life of Russia. This undoubtedly contributed to the rapid development of the city and its transformation by the end of the 19th century into one of the best resorts in Russia.

The last time the family of Nicholas II rested in Livadia was in the spring of 1914. In the autumn they were going to come again, but in the summer the First World War began, then revolutionary events unfolded, destroying everything in its path. Livadia also entered a new period in history ...

The Livadia Palace, located in the Crimea, is the most beautiful castle on the peninsula, which has been impressive for more than two centuries with its luxury and unique architecture. It was he who was the residence of the royal family of the Romanovs for the summer. This is where Stalin invited guests to the Yalta Conference, which was significant in history. The leader liked to impress with luxury, and did not find a more suitable place in all of Russia. In Soviet times, it was considered the pearl of the country, which many dreamed of visiting.

There are other famous palaces on the Crimean peninsula, but none of them can be compared with Livadia in terms of richness and originality of architecture. Snow-white facades rise above the sea, surprising with their size. The palace is buried in greenery and flowers, delighting the eyes of guests. The interior decoration has been preserved almost untouched, opening up to tourists an unknown world of royal luxury and refinement of taste. Despite the fact that the architecture was rebuilt and reconstructed, this luxury has not gone away, which has become a hallmark of Livadia.

History of the Livadia Palace

The history of the Livadia Palace began in 1834. Then the palace of the Polish magnate Lev Pototsky was erected in its place. It did not exist for long, the residence was repeatedly rebuilt, and in 1904 it was completely demolished under the foundation, starting the construction of the majestic White Palace from Inkerman stone under the guidance of the talented Nikolai Krasnov (it is presented in this form even now). In designing the building, the ambitious architect used several styles that were fashionable in that era. As a result, Krasnov called the Palace of His Imperial Majesty Nicholas II his creative success and treasure.

For more than 50 years, the Livadia estate was used as their summer residence by the Romanovs: Alexander ΙΙ, Alexander ΙΙΙ and Nikolai ΙΙ. From 1862 to 1866, the St. Petersburg architect Monighetti rebuilt the palace after the management of Pototsky under the leadership of Empress Maria Alexandrovna. About 70 new buildings were erected in the traditions of southern architecture. In subsequent years, the architecture has repeatedly changed according to fashion trends and the wishes of the royal family. The total number of rooms was increased, separate guest houses were built, decorated with climbing plants, carvings and moldings.

In 1945, the Crimean Conference of the leaders of the states of the anti-Hitler coalition was held in the Livadia Palace: Great Britain, the USA, the USSR. During this period, the estate became the official residence of F.D. Roosevelt, US President.

Today, the palace in Livadia is a treasury of the southern coast of Crimea and one of the most visited museums in the Russian Federation. Since 1990, it has become a venue for international meetings of the highest level. This is the greatest monument of cultural heritage, which managed to preserve its originality and historical value.

Exhibitions in the palace

Exhibitions in the Livadia Palace were opened in 1974 in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Yalta Conference. The expositions are original, the interior has been restored from photographs. Tours cover the White Front Hall, the vestibule, Roosevelt's office, the royal billiard room and the Arab courtyard. These are the most memorable places where negotiations were held and decisions important for history were made.

In 2004, a museum dedicated to the stay of the royal family in Livadia was opened. The following exhibitions deserve attention:

My history. Romanovs. Opened in honor of the 400th anniversary of the accession of the Romanov dynasty (since 1613). The expositions are created on the basis of historical facts with the involvement of modern technologies. Touch panels and light boxes allow you to explore the history of the dynasty in 3D projection, immersing your imagination in those times as much as possible. Expositions illustrating the royal tree are realistically executed. Electronic showcases and short documentaries allow you to feel the Romanov era, learn its features and uniqueness.
Photo exhibition "Children of Emperor Nicholas II". Exhibition halls are located in three halls of the Baron Frederiks House. Here are rare and unique pictures from the personal albums of Alexandra Feodorovna and her friend Anna Vyrubova. There are many photos of the children of the royal family during the games, against the backdrop of parks and palaces. There are images of royal chambers, classrooms, toys. Particular attention is paid to the process of education of Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich. Visitors will also be able to see original drawings made by famous princesses and members of the royal family. An amazing selection that allows you to plunge into the delights of a noble life.
Royal hunt. An exhibition illustrating the main passion of the imperial house. The expositions consist of paintings, watercolors and photographs on a hunting theme. The halls present many trophies and brief historical facts about the features of the royal hunt, amusing occasions and memorable events. All heirs to the throne kept the passion for hunting. Nicholas II, staying in Livadia, always went hunting in the Crimean mountain forests. His trophies, the horns of mountain goats and deer, adorn the corridors of the current exhibition to this day.

Ticket prices

Prices for tickets and services depend on the chosen excursion and the number of visitors. So, an adult ticket for a sightseeing tour of the Livadia Palace is 400 rubles. The cost of a reduced ticket is 250 rubles. Visitors will be able to appreciate the main exposition of the estate, get acquainted with the history of the palace, its owners and architectural tricks.

A separate price is set for visiting the interactive exhibition halls "My Story. The Romanovs". The ticket price is 100 rubles. Additionally, the payment for the excursion is included for persons who enjoy the right to visit the expositions free of charge. Price - 100 rubles.

Location on the map and how to get there

The favorable location on the map of the Livadia Palace makes it accessible to tourists. It was built in the resort village of Livadia, located on the Black Sea coast, just 3 km from Yalta along the Sevastopol highway. There is a convenient transport interchange to the Yalta suburb, buses run from the city every 15 minutes. The road by car takes about 20 minutes from the Yalta bus station. Each local resident will tell you in detail how to get to the Livadia Palace, as the estate is extremely popular with visitors, meeting thousands of visitors daily from all over the world.

You can go from the bus station on minibuses No. 5, 27, 11, 32, get hooked on them from the clothing market or stop near the Spartak cinema. The stop of the palace is called "Sanatorium Dyulber". There are many signs along the route that will not let you go astray.