Masandra Palace
Masandra Palace of Emperor Alexander III is located on the southern coast of the Crimea in Verkhnia Masandra. It is one of the most interesting monuments of the 19th century, which is considered to be the decoration not only for Ukraine, but also for Europe.
Dating back to the year of 1822, a park in the English style was laid out on the site of an oak-hornbeam forest in the village of Verkhnia Masandra by famous German gardener Karlous Keebach. Paths, alleys, and flowerbeds have been made in the forest under the direction of Keebach. Not only juniper, cypress, cedars, pines have been planted there, but also exotic fruit trees, such as fig trees, lemons, oranges and olives. Decorative vases and sculptures depicting Greek gods, sphinxes, chimeras, and satyrs have been placed in the park. And today the park complex of Verkhnia Masandra occupies an area of 42 hectares and achieved renown as one of the finest landscape parks.
The most picturesque terrain with cliffs, caves, and underground springs near Beheading of St John the Baptist Church has been chosen for the construction. However, before a year passed the prince died, and the construction was halted. Life here came to a standstill until 1889, when the estate was purchased for Russian Emperor Alexander III. This place was ten years under construction. Eminent designers and architects such as Oscar Wegener and Maximilian Messmacher have worked at the creation of the palace and its park ensemble. They have saved the size and the style of the structure, but with help of new decorative materials and techniques a strict knight's castle has turned into a fairy palace in the style of Louis XIII.
Masandra Palace is a three-story building, with a pyramidal roof, one square and two round steeple-roofed towers, attics, a front semi-circular staircase, as well as a skilfully built fountain. The façade decorated with metlah and ceramic tiles, terraces, open galleries, balconies, rich sculptural decoration of the palace make it as been built on heaven. The palace seems to be so easy and elegant.
The palace was built for the royal family. Interestingly, there are no staterooms or apartments for a large number of guests, as it was intended solely for recreation. Living rooms in the palace are small and cosy. Unique household items have been saved in the palace: fitment and mirrors, a fireplace from a single piece of brown marble, handmade chandeliers.
If you want to feel the atmosphere of the long time passed 19th century, to learn the history of the royal household, and have a good time, you are well advised to visit Masandra Palace in Verkhnia Masandra on the South Coast of the Crimea.
The palace is located above Yalta-Alushta Highway. You can get to Masandra Palace by bus, taxi or trolleybus. From Yalta you should take trolleybus number 2 and get off at Verkhnia Masandra Stop. In addition, bus number 29 goes there from the centre of Yalta.
