Znamenka

Znamenka a manor on Peterhof Road, situated east of Alexandria Palace and Park Ensemble. Given in 1710 to I.I. Rzhevsky, since 1755 it belonged to count A.G. Razumovsky (at which time in the 1760s-70s, a two-storied stone palace and Church to SS. Peter and Paul were built). Later Znamenka was owned by P.I. Shuvalov, general I.V. Melgunov, senator I.V. Myatlev (at his time, a third storey was built over the palace, and the palace itself was considerably expanded). In 1835, the manor was bought by Emperor Nicholas I for Empress Alexandra Fedorovna. In 1850, it passed on to Grand Prince Nikolay Nikolaevich the Elder, at which time, palace reconstruction began (the original design project was made by architect A.I. Stakensсhneider), and its interiors (the Greek Hall, Rafael Gallery etc. were redecorated). In 1857-59, the palace was entirely rebuilt, its facades and interiors styled in Russian Baroque. In 1853-55, Konyushenny Yard for 100 horses, Kitchen Building along with the Caretaker's house, Greenhouses and 2 houses for garden masters were built as per the design by Bosse. The SS. Peter and Paul Church was also reconstructed. The last Znamenka owner was Grand Prince Peter Nikolaevich. After October 1917, the manor housed different institutions, during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45 it was occupied by German troops, which severely damaged the ensemble. It was restored in the 1970s. Since the end of the 1970s the manor has been housing a holiday hotel bearing the same name. The Znamenka Park is one of the famous examples of landscape design, laid out in the mid-18th century, it was expanded and rebuilt in the mid-19th century. It is made of Upper and Lower Gardens. The most common are broadleaf trees. Verkhny Garden grounds have two artificial ponds, Bolshoy and Maly.