Yusupov Palace in the Crimea: history, description. How to get there?

In the Southern The coast of the Crimean peninsula, twelve kilometers from Yalta, there is a village with an unusual name Koreiz - "populated place". It is also a resort, as evidenced by the many hotels and sanatorium complexes. Local attractions include the Yusupov Palace in the Crimea (1910). Its owner is a Russian officer, patriotic monarchist, patron of arts, publicist Felix Feliksovich Yusupov (1887-1967) - the last representative of the famous princely dynasty. In the line of Irina's wife, he was related to the royal dynasty of the Romanovs. Participated in the murder of Rasputin.

Mystery of the 20th century

Where is the Yusupov Palace in Crimea? Since the 1970s of the twentieth century, a building of grayish gasprin limestone has been hidden in the more often high-rise buildings and thick greenery of the park. In Soviet times (sometimes and now) vacationers did not know about the existence of the creation of Nikolai Krasnov - academician of architecture, the chief architect of Yalta, the author of the project of the Livadia Palace.

This is quite understandable: in the 20 years of the XX century the estate was nationalized and given to state dachas. The rest house was intended for elected persons from among the employees of the state political administration and the NKVD. The place is associated with the names of Dzerzhinsky, Stalin and other personalities, who were never mentioned "in vain".

The Yusupov Palace in the Crimea is covered with many legends. Some are obvious inventions, others are nothing more than a popular response to real events. For example, they say that Joseph Stalin himself rested in the former princely chambers before and after the war.

There was a big three

About the holidays, held by Joseph Vissarionovich in the former prince's estate, history is silent. But the fact that he has been there many times is known for certain. In the harsh years of the Great Patriotic War in the Yusupov Palace, which was not affected either during the revolutionary events of the 17th year, or from the bombings of the Second World War, the headquarters of the People's Commissar of Defense, chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR and the State Defense Committee were stationed.

Under the ancient arches, the Soviet delegation "lodged", arrived at the famous Yalta conference. The meeting of the big three (Stalin-Roosevelt-Churchill) was held in Livadia. What was so attractive to Joseph Vissarionovich "Yusupov horseshoe" (this is the form of the structure)? Perhaps the fact that the house is in a secluded place and does not flaunt the pomposity of the architectural decoration?

Yusupov Palace in the Crimea - a small, squat, but at the same time solid, even chic. He stands on a steep rocky shore, turning a convex piece to the sea. And around - the wonderful air, picturesque landscapes.

I'll give you Ai-Petri, dear!

The view from the windows is really stunning. What are the boundless water spaces surrounded by narrow and short mountain ranges - the spurs of Mount Ai-Petri, this unfading symbol of the South Crimea! Once Felix Feliksovich Yusupov Sr. (he also count Sumarokov-Elston) gave the top to his wife.

And today he knows such unusual gifts Yusupov Palace (Crimea). Excursions here are becoming a good tradition, and strolling along a small but beautiful palace park (an area of 16.5 hectares), the people in love probably want to present each other to the moon, the sun, the sea, to "pass" Ai-Petri covered with morning fog. Romantic!

The green oasis of the manor was created by the gardener Karl Kebach. But in the district there are trees-relics that have been living for half a millennium. They were seen by people who lived in these parts long before the Yusupovs, Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill. You will not pass by when you come to rest in ancient Koreiz.

Who planted the palm trees?

As for the big three, the rumor says: in memory of the meeting, the Allies planted three Chinese fan palms. They grow on the square in front of the central entrance. Archive data, "recorded" a friendly action planting exotic flowering plants, is not preserved.

But the plaque, installed at the central entrance (located in the concave part of the "horseshoe"), says that it is a symbol of three famous figures of history. Going to rest in Koreiz, look at the green "big three". Now the estate is managed by the administration of the affairs of the President of the Russian Federation.

The guides will lead you far into the past: they will tell about the princess Anna Sergeyevna Golitsyna, who owned the "Pink House", about the winemaker Morozov (another of the owners of the house at different times).

F.F. Yusupov (the elder) bought the estate in 1880, and in 1909 the architect Krasnov rebuilt the house according to the wishes of his son. So there was the Yusupov Palace, in which, in 1912, the engagement of Felix Felixovich (junior) with his fiancé, Niece Niece II, Irina Alexandrovna took place. The owner called the building gray, more suitable for the city, but hospitable and comfortable Yusupov Palace (Crimea). The photo can be seen in the article.

In the office of the leader of nations

Hospitality and convenience of the estate were celebrated by high-ranking officials of the Soviet state, and leaders of different countries who came here for meetings in an official, friendly atmosphere. Such events were held here until 1990. Then M. Gorbachev gave "homestead-gosdachu" in the conduct of the city council of Yalta.

In 1991 the Union was no more. Let's go "dashing nineties" with their unlimited privatization. Yusupov Palace in Crimea was rented by a private company that opened a luxury hotel, a business center. To attract customers installed memorial plates on the apartments: "Stalin", "Molotov", "Yusupov". Everyone who came, chose where to stay: in the "bedchamber" of Stalin or Yusupov's largest room. The stay was about $ 100 per night.

There is also Stalin's office with a modest desk and a comfortable chair. Tourists are allowed to sit in it, feel like a "leader of the people." It is possible, like Iosif Vissarionovich, to pick up the phone of a massive telephone set (he stands in his native place) and quietly / loudly say: "I'm listening to you!".

Stalin's bunker

Many of the design of the offices and bedrooms have been lost, but there are many things that still keep the spirit of the story. Their set: elegant figurines, candlesticks, chandeliers, mirrors, watches. There is a billiard room ("Stalin's"), a piano has survived, on which Molotov himself allegedly played music ...

The second building has a huge cellar, conceived for storing wines. It was completed after 1917 on the project of L. Golitsyn, who was well versed in winemaking.

Stalin liked the cellar primarily because it can be used as a safe apartment. So there was one more (from existing really and in legends) bunker of Stalin. By the way, Yusupov's palaces are also so numerous that it is easy for an uninitiated person to get confused, where he is. True, not all of them have survived as well as the Koreas.

Palace lions are waiting for tourists

Crimea attracts tourists not only with history, but also with nature. We have already mentioned that the palace park is a real green pearl. Next to a triple of memorable palms, a neat, picturesque pond splashes, the adornment of which is the sculpture of a boy and a fountain. Flowerbeds are all around. Very beautiful! So you want to quickly find out where the Yusupov Palace (Crimea) is located. The address is extremely simple: Koreiz-1, Park descent, 26.

Being at the Southern facade, you can see a ladder to the sea. It is guarded by sculptures of lions. Yusupov the elder adored the sculpture. Graceful figures of naiads, goddesses stood everywhere. Lviv in general it was impossible to count. Many park decorations are not preserved. But even those that "survived" are enough to emphasize the beauty of the surrounding nature, its originality.

So, you decided that you must see the Yusupov Palace (Crimea). How to get there? Here go minibus and taxi. From Nizhnyaya Yalta you can sail by boat. A small note: if the national dream comes true, the estate will receive the status of a house-museum.