Kolomenskoye Palace

The majestic summer residence of the Russian tsar, once called the eighth wonder of the world, was completely lost in the 18th century. However, thanks to the meticulous work of restorers and historians, today everyone can touch the luxury of royal life of the 17th century and see a unique monument of wooden architecture.

Historical path of the royal residence

The village of Kolomenskoye has long attracted the attention of Russian sovereigns. Alexei Mikhailovich especially loved these places for their excellent conditions for falconry — the tsar’s favorite pastime. In 1666, the monarch decided to erect a grandiose wooden palace complex here, which would serve not only as a place for summer recreation, but also as a venue for diplomatic receptions. Construction was carried out under the personal supervision of the sovereign and lasted until the mid-1670s. Outstanding architects of the time — Ivan Mikhailov and Semyon Petrov — as well as the best craftsmen of the Armory Chamber were involved in the work. The artistic decoration was supervised by the famous icon painter Simon Ushakov. After the death of Alexei Mikhailovich, the residence continued to function. His heir Fyodor Alekseyevich carried out a partial reconstruction of the premises to suit his own needs. Later, the palace attracted the attention of Peter I, who ordered the foundation of the building to be strengthened. A tragic turn in the fate of the monument occurred after the transfer of the Russian capital to St. Petersburg. The Kolomenskoye residence gradually lost its significance and began to fall into disrepair. The once luxurious structure was decaying until, in 1767, Catherine II ordered it to be completely dismantled. Fortunately, the empress ordered detailed drawings and sketches to be made, which centuries later made it possible to resurrect the architectural miracle.

Revival of the lost masterpiece

The idea of recreating the tsar’s palace received official support in 2007. The basis for the reconstruction was the surviving drawings from the Catherine era, which made it possible to restore the structure with maximum accuracy. The scale of the project is impressive: about two hundred specialists from more than twenty professions were involved. Among them were drapers, masters of artistic wood carving, ceramists, gilders and other highly specialized craftsmen. Construction was completed in 2010, when the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve acquired a unique exhibit. The new building differs from the historical original in only two features:

• A modern reinforced concrete frame is hidden under the historical wooden cladding, ensuring the durability of the structure
• The location has been shifted by approximately one kilometre from the historical site to preserve centuries-old trees on the territory of the Sovereign’s Court

Architectural features of the palace complex

The main highlight of the structure is its unconventional layout. The palace is an ensemble of 26 separate terems of varying heights, connected by passages and hallways. This asymmetrical layout creates the impression of a fairy-tale town with 270 rooms.

Exterior decoration

The facades are executed in the old Russian style and amaze with the richness of decorative elements:

• Skilful carving covers the platbands and other wooden surfaces
• Windows of various shapes and sizes create a picturesque rhythm
• Twisted columns and kokoshniks give the building a festive appearance
• Tes (hewn planks) imitating stone texture — an innovative solution for Russian architecture of the 17th century
• Green scaly roofing with numerous tents, cubes and gilded elements crowns the composition

Contemporaries called the palace “a toy from a jewel box” and even the eighth wonder of the world — so unusual and impressive was this creation of Russian masters.

Interiors and museum exhibition

The interior space of the palace is in no way inferior to its external splendor. The rooms are lined with red cloth, the finest leather and silk fabrics. Walls and ceilings are decorated with intricate floral ornaments and multi-figure paintings. The themes of the paintings mainly include biblical subjects and episodes from ancient history. However, there are surprising exceptions: for example, the Dining Chamber is decorated with a scientific panel depicting the heliocentric system of the world, where planets revolve around the Sun — a bold concept for the 17th century. It is noteworthy that artists of that era applied the most complex patterns without preliminary sketches, painting directly on walls and ceilings — this required exceptional skill.

Male and female halves

The palace is clearly divided into two parts in accordance with the traditions of the time. You can tell which half you are in by the tiled stoves — one of the main decorative features of the interiors. In the men’s chambers the stoves are predominantly quadrangular, while in the women’s half round shapes dominate. These multi-tiered structures reach the ceiling and stand on elegant figured legs-columns.

Main museum exhibitions

Today the palace functions as a museum introducing visitors to the lifestyle of the royal family of the 17th century. The exhibition is concentrated in three main choruses (apartments).

The sovereign’s chambers

The tsar’s choruses include the monarch’s private rooms and ceremonial halls for receptions and celebrations. Several rooms deserve special attention:

• The Dining Chamber with a cosmic panel on the ceiling, where the atmosphere of a solemn feast is recreated with mock-ups of historical dishes
• The Throne Chamber with the royal throne, on either side of which mechanical lions sit — during the reception of ambassadors they opened their mouths and roared, making an indelible impression on foreign guests
• The Bedchamber and the sovereign’s study with authentic 17th-century items, including the tsar’s bed and the personal seal of Alexei Mikhailovich

The chambers of the tsareviches

This part housed the sovereign’s sons — Fyodor and Peter. The former was destined to ascend the throne immediately after his father’s death, while the latter later became the first Russian emperor. The exhibition includes the boys’ bedrooms, decorated in Western European style, and the Study Chamber. Old primers, children’s armor and weapons are displayed here, with which the young tsareviches learned military affairs and received education.

The tsarina’s chambers

The women’s half of the palace attracts attention with the light room of Natalia Kirillovna Naryshkina — the wife of Alexei Mikhailovich. In this room she did needlework, and today you can see:

• Old embroidery hoops
• Samples of pearl embroidery
• A woman’s costume of a noble person of the 17th century

Also available for viewing are the Throne Chamber, where the tsarina received visits, and the Cross Chamber, which served as a home chapel.

Practical information for visitors

Location and transport

The palace is located on the territory of the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve at the address: Andropova Avenue, 39, building 69. The structure greets guests immediately beyond the gates of checkpoint No. 5. You can get to the museum in several ways:

• Metro: Kashirskaya station is a 5-minute walk from the palace
• Buses: routes No. 541, 770, 899, e80 and m83 to the stop “Metro ‘Kashirskaya’”
• Private transport: free parking spaces are located along the territory of the reserve on both sides of checkpoint No. 5

Opening hours

The museum is closed to visitors only on Mondays. On other days of the week the palace welcomes guests from 10:00 to 18:00. Ticket offices open at 9:45 and stop working at 17:30.

Admission cost

Ticket prices vary depending on the visitor category:

• Full ticket — 600 rubles
• Concession ticket (pensioners, children 7–18 years old, full-time students, disabled persons of group III, members of large families) — 300 rubles
• Free admission is provided to children under 6 years old, veterans, disabled persons of groups I and II, orphans, museum workers and some other categories of citizens

Rules of visiting the museum-reserve

The following restrictions apply on the territory of Kolomenskoye:

1. Drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking are prohibited
2. It is forbidden to play loud music, have picnics, sunbathe in swimsuits
3. Extreme sports are not allowed
4. Littering the territory and causing damage to architecture or nature is prohibited
5. Professional photo and video shooting requires special permission from the administration
6. Movement on bicycles, electric scooters, monowheels and cars without permission is prohibited
7. Dogs on a leash are allowed on the park territory, but pets are not allowed inside the palace itself

Unique opportunities

The Palace of Alexei Mikhailovich offers not only museum exhibitions, but also unusual services. There is a wedding palace where newlyweds can hold a solemn registration in historical interiors, surrounded by the atmosphere of the 17th century. The museum also has souvenir shops where you can buy memorable gifts, and a cozy café for rest after the excursion.

Why you should visit

The Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in Kolomenskoye is a rare case in world practice when a completely lost architectural monument was recreated with maximum historical accuracy. Visiting this place gives a unique opportunity to:

• Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of royal life of the 17th century
• See examples of wooden architecture and decorative-applied art
• Learn the history of one of the most important royal residences
• Appreciate the skill of modern restorers and craftsmen
• Take spectacular photographs in historical interiors

Experienced guides will tell many fascinating stories about the life of the royal family, reveal the secrets of the palace rooms and share little-known facts about the construction and reconstruction of this remarkable monument. The recreated palace in Kolomenskoye is a living testimony to the greatness of Russian culture and a vivid example of how historical heritage can be returned to descendants even centuries after the loss of the original.