Massandra Palace is one of the most famous attractions of Yalta. It is located on a high mountain slope, 3 kilometers from the Black Sea coast. Unlike the palaces on the seashore, the Massandra Palace was used only as a hunting lodge, since it is located near the border of the Yalta Nature Reserve.
The construction of the Massandra Palace began in 1879, by order of Semyon Vorontsov, the son of the governor of Novorossiya Mikhail Vorontsov. His father built the famous Vorontsov Palace in Alupka in 1824-1848. After his father`s death in 1856, Semyon Vorontsov inherited the Vorontsov Palace, but he decided to build another small palace in the mountainous region of Yalta, where he could relax and hunt in the hot summer months.
The location of the Massandra Palace is bordered by the amphitheater of the Crimean Mountains. Count Vorontsov entrusted the preparation of the project to the French architect Etienne Bouchard, who proposed to build a palace in the style of the French Renaissance. Castles in the Loire River Valley were taken as a model. The owner planned to come here for short visits, so there are no ceremonials halls here. The atmosphere of the Massandra Palace is very cozy.
In 1881, the palace was almost built, but in 1882, the architect died first, and a few months later, Semyon Vorontsov also died. The construction of the Massandra Palace was stopped for 10 years. In 1889, the unfinished palace was bought by Emperor Alexander III. After his death, the palace was owned by Nicholas II.
Finally, the Massandra Palace was built only by 1902. Architect Maximilian Meksmacher has completely preserved the layout made by Bouchard. The facade of the Massandra Palace is not symmetrical. On the south side there is a square tower, and on the north side there is a French risolite with a large four-pitched roof. The decor of the palace was also made by Meksmacher in the French style.
The Romanovs often came to the Massandra Palace, but only with brief daytime visits for hiking in the mountains, picnics and hunting. Since the palace is very small to accommodate the imperial family and his entourage, they did not stay here overnight, but left for the Livadia Palace.
Nowadays, the Massandra Palace is a museum and is open to the public. The palace is surrounded by a cozy Massandra Park. Its territory reaches 42 hectares, and it is one of the best landscape parks of the Crimea. Huge redwoods and other exotic trees have been preserved in the park. A decorative terrace with pavilions, colonnades and bas-reliefs has been preserved on the north side of the palace.
On the south side of the Massandra Palace there is a Garden of Aromas. This is a regular garden where various flowers are planted during the summer season. Also, roses of different varieties grow here all summer. All these flowers are constantly blooming, which really creates a pleasant atmosphere of aromas.
