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The large-scale development of the Arkhangelskoye estate began at the beginning of 18 century, when it came into possession of the Golitsyn. They had just enough time to build the first wooden palace. In the reign of Anna Ivanovna Dmitry Golitsyn was accused of high treason and sentenced to death. He died in Schlusselburg fortress in 1737 and all his estate were confiscated.

The Arkhangelskoye estate fell into decay and the palace become dilapidated. Under Catherine II, in 1773, the Golitsyn got back to the court and were returned all their estate including Arkhangelskoye. 

During the reconstruction of the palace in 2003 there was discovered a plate according to which the new palace was laid down at Arkhangelskoye in 1784 by Nikolai Golitsyn. The original palace was designed by a French architect Charles de Herne in the style of strict classicism. And it is this palace that survived to our days.

In 1810 Arkhangelskoye was acquired by Prince Yusupov who wanted to turn it into the near Moscow Versailles. However, his plans were disturbed by the war of 1812, as a result of which the park and especially the palace were severely damaged. But after the war Yusupov began to build there a luxurious estate worthy of his art collections.

The palace was designed in the common style of the estates of that period. It has a porch with four Ionic columns and a triangular gable and risalits. The Oval Hall is the main and the largest room of the Grand Palace. It has sixteen golden yellow Corinthian columns. 

The entry arch of the front court appeared in 1817. It was erected in honor of the victory over Napoleon. In the center of the dome is a panel depicting Cupid and Psyche. It was intended for balls, concerts and ceremonial receptions. The serf orchestra was on the high choir hidden by a light balustrade. 

Photo Gallery
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The sculpture «Hercules Fighting Antaeus» by М. Kozlovsky. A marble copy of the wax sculpture by Michelangelo.
The Grand Palace of Arkhangelskoye as viewed from the Large Parterre (alley).
The front vestibule of Yusupov`s Palace at Arkhangelskoye.
The front dining-room (Egyptian Hall) of Yusupov`s Palace at Arkhangelskoye.
The front bedroom of Yusupov`s Palace at Arkhangelskoye.
A sculpture in Robert`s Hall in the Palace of Yusupov.
The Antique Hall of Yusupov`s Palace at Arkhangelskoye.
The sculpture «Cupid Making a Bow out of the Club of Hercules» in the northern Robert`s Hall in the Palace of Yusupov.
The study of Prince Yusupov in his palace at Arkhangelskoye.
The central Oval Hall in the Palace of Yusupov at Arkhangelskoye.
The ceiling of the Oval Hall in the Palace of Yusupov at Arkhangelskoye.
The Imperial Hall in the Palace of Yusupov at Arkhangelskoye.
The stair leading from the ceremonial rooms of the ground floor to the private chambers of the Yusupovs on the first floor of the palace.
The corner boudoir in the Palace of Yusupov at Arkhangelskoye.
The private chambers of the Yusupovs on the first floor of the palace. Now it is a picture gallery.
The portrait of Prince Boris Nikolayevich Yusupov (1794-1848) in the Palace of Yusupov at Arkhangelskoye.
The portrait of Zinaida Ivanovna Yusupova (born Naryshkina, 1809-1893).
The portrait of Zinaida Nikolayevna Yusupova (married name Sumarokova-Elston, 1861-1939)
The photo of Felix Felixovich Yusupov.
The photos of Arkhangelskoye Palace and its interiors in 1890.
The colonnade in the inner court of Arkhangelskoye Palace.
The inner court of Arkhangelskoye Palace.