The Russian economy in the XVII century is rapidlydeveloped. Then in the Arkhangelsk port foreign trade was confidently going. More than half of foreign trade transactions were made in it. The city represented the “face” of the country in front of Western European states. Arkhangelsk needed majestic buildings with luxurious facades.
The living rooms of the northern city were not onlya pleasant and convenient place for foreign and Russian merchants, but also performed a protective function. Nowadays, they are recognized as unique monuments of Russian stone architecture dating back to the 17th century.
History of creation
In 1667, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich issued a decreeprescribing to begin construction on an area of almost 9 hectares of a grand stone structure in Arkhangelsk. The drawings of the architectural complex were urban planners P. G. Marselis and V. Scharf.
В те времена город, отстроенный из дерева, constantly blazing in fires. The fire destroyed a huge number of buildings and fortress walls, so they decided to build a stone courtyards. Arkhangelsk, whose history is rich, received uneasy trade buildings, it was built a real fortress with two guest complexes: Russian and German.
The caret with a huge area in the center formedRussian and German yard. The complex was equipped with elements of military defensive value. As a result, the courtyards connected by walls, towers and other buildings, surrounded by moats, turned into a powerful stone walled city.
The construction of a grand fortress continued 16years (1668-1684). In 1693 Peter I arrived in Arkhangelsk. The courtyards of the city, which he saw for the first time, delighted him. Their decline will begin in the XVIII century, when foreign economic activity will be transferred to St. Petersburg. The northern shopping center, unclaimed, will begin to crumble.
Restoration of the Gostiny Dvor
In 1770, after the recognition of the structureemergency, began its immediate reconstruction. The dilapidated areas of the Russian monastery were dismantled, brick and limestone slabs were sent for restoration. The German courtyard and the Stone city-fortress almost completely removed. The ruins of the German monastery lasted until the XX century. At the beginning of the century they were completely dismantled.
In the 70s of the XVIII century, the facade of the building was givenclassical outlines characteristic of the architecture of that era. In 1788, a one-story Stock Exchange with a turret and a ceremonial facade rose above the new foundation. In the stock exchange hall they placed furniture made by special order, arranged fireplaces. During the season of navigation, a flag fluttered over the tower and a lantern burned.
Instead of the Stone City, warehouses were built in height2 floors for wine and salt. A warehouse was attached to the warehouse. The project for their construction was developed by architect M. Berezin. He planned to attach a similar building to the North Tower. But the scant funding and lack of building materials forced the architect to suspend construction. Only in 1809, with great difficulty, was it possible to build the first floor of the salt warehouses without a tower.
Having lost the original complex with powerfulfortress walls, Arkhangelsk Gostiny dvory received, but not in the original version. After the mid-twentieth century, the city lost most of the Russian court. All that remained of him were buildings on the western side, facing the embankment of the Northern Dvina.
Despite this, the architectural complex withthe preserved buildings: the Russian Gostiny Dvor, the tower on the north side, the stock exchange, the chauffeur and salt warehouses located in the city center near the embankment, looked majestically.
Living courtyards during the Great Patriotic War
Having lost military significance, the complexreorganized by citizens for peaceful purposes. The city government, the court, the customs were transferred to it. Opened in his premises shops. During the Great Patriotic War, the basements of the salt warehouses were used as bomb shelters. Locals took refuge in them from the air raids.
In addition, during the war years, premises for the White Sea Flotilla and communications center were allocated in the buildings of the complex. The tasks of the military unit was to ensure communication with the Arctic and the Kara Sea.
Museum in the Court Yards
Since 1981, the historical monument receivespossession of the city museum of local lore. The courtyards (Arkhangelsk), more precisely, their surviving parts, began to slowly restore. The restoration plan included the restoration of the Russian court, towers and buildings on the north side, salt warehouses. After the restoration work was completed in 2010, a simplified version of the magnificent architectural ensemble acquired Arkhangelsk. The living courtyards are now the cultural and scientific-educational center of the city.
В его залах созданы интересные экспозиции, telling about the monuments of material and spiritual culture of the northern region. The museum constantly exhibits several exhibitions: on the cultural and historical heritage of Pomorie and the Russian northern monasteries. Two chambers are given under the exposition dedicated to M.V. Lomonosov. One contains exhibits about the small homeland of the brilliant scientist of Russia, and the second set up a laboratory.
The activities of the museum
Doors open for many visitorsLiving rooms courtyards (Arkhangelsk). Exhibitions on different topics replace each other. In the vicinity of the architectural ensemble and its halls conduct tours that attract the attention of adults and children. Provide information about the cultural and historical heritage of the region, hold scientific and practical conferences.
Guests are invited to the concerts of jazz andclassical music. They organize fascinating quests, arrange folklore festivals, themed evenings, cadet balls, master classes and other events. Contests are held in the museum. A special place is reserved for the Young Talents contest. Talented craftsmen engaged in folk arts and crafts become its participants.
