The Cottage Palace

The palace and park complex of Alexandria created at Peterhof in the second quarter of the nineteenth century by eminent Western European and Russian masters is unique both as regards its eventful history and an extraordinary wealth of its architectural and artistic decoration.

The basic architectural structures of the park occupy the upper terrace. In its eastern part stands the central edifice, the so-called Cottage Palace put up in 1826-29 by Adam Menelaws. The English name of the palace unusual for the Russian ear, its location in a remote corner of the park, its small dimensions as well as the features of its architectural design and inner decor testify to the new function of the building - this is a place of private habitation rather than a formal state residence. After the construction had been completed, Nicholas I presented the Cottage to Alexandra Feodorovna and therefore the estate received the name of "Her Majesty's Own Dacha Alexandria". Only the closest associates of the Imperial family, their teachers, doctors and attendants on duty were admitted to these private royal premises. But once a year, on 2 July (14 July Old Style), the day after the Empress's birthday, when the celebration was still under way, everybody was allowed to come to Alexandria.

The architectural and decorative design of the Cottage Palace was carried out in the English Gothic manner imitating the medieval European traditions and known as the Neo- or Pseudo-Gothic style.

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