Published on: 2026-09-11
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
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The Moscow Region dacha of Catherine II, the residence of emperors while awaiting coronation in the Kremlin, a refuge for Napoleon fleeing a burning city, a hospital during the First World War, and the ceremonial hall of the Air Force Academy where cosmonauts Yuri Gagarin, Alexei Leonov, and Valentina Tereshkova studied. History Petrovsky Travel Palace is closely intertwined with the country’s history. This year it celebrates an anniversary — the 250th anniversary since the beginning of its construction.
Together with Alexander Spivak, an employee of the palace’s exhibition department, we talk about how an outstanding example of Russian pseudo-Gothic architecture was used in different eras.
Triumphal Castle at the entrance to Moscow
The Petrovsky travel palace is mistakenly associated with Peter I — the order for its construction was given by Catherine II. She planned to build several residences in the second capital, as she disliked the Moscow Kremlin and considered the royal chambers in Kolomenskoye outdated and unsuitable for hosting royal figures and foreign ambassadors. In addition to palaces in Tsaritsyno, Konkovo, and Bulatnikovo (these projects were ultimately not fully realized), the sovereign wanted to establish a travel palace on the Tver road, just before entering Moscow, which could be used for stops after a long journey from Saint Petersburg. Vacant lands in the Petrovskoye-Zykovo area, previously belonging to the Vysoko-Petrovsky Monastery, were allocated for this roadside residence. This is likely where the name Petrovsky originated.
The journey from one capital to another took monarchs two to three weeks: they stopped in passing villages and rural settlements, where they were ceremoniously welcomed and gifted. Due to the length of the ceremonies, they often had to stop to rest. Among such refuges was the Petrovsky Palace. The building also had a symbolic character. In 1774, the Russo-Turkish War ended in victory, and a year later a festive festival was held at Khodynka Field: with water reservoirs simulating the Black and Azov Seas, a wooden castle, stands shaped like ships, and fireworks. After that, Catherine decided to erect a true triumphant palace on the site of the theatrical palace. The task of embodying her idea in stone was given to the architect Matvey Kazakov. He designed an ensemble in the style of pseudo-Gothic, whose appearance combines elements of Gothic, ancient Russian architecture (merlons, or swallowtails), and Eastern fortresses (Moorish towers). Alexander Spivak employee of the exhibition department of the Petrovsky Traveling Palace
Construction began in 1776. The main work was completed three years later, but the finishing continued until the sovereign’s death in 1796. Catherine II managed to stay at the palace twice and called it her suburban summer residence.
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The Final Step to the Throne
Noble persons could stay in the residence by special permission, and regiments of the Moscow garrison were also quartered there. It is known that in 1841, Mikhail Lermontov lived in the palace for a short time — he was visiting his fellow soldier Dmitry Rozen, who served as an adjutant to the governor-general. This was the poet’s last time in Moscow: three months later, he died in a duel in Pyatigorsk.
Since the reign of Paul I, the palace has been called the final step to the throne.
“The coronation was held not in Petersburg, but in Moscow, in the First Throne City. Only here did they receive the right to reign from God: the tradition was not changed so as not to disturb the legitimization of power. In the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin, all Russian sovereigns were crowned—from Ivan the Terrible to Nicholas II. However, festivities and rituals could be arranged as they wished. Under Paul I, the palace became the place where the emperor awaited his anointing as tsar. The coronation procession started from the gates of the residence—a march of the monarch from the outskirts of the city to the Kremlin. During this procession, Paul, who had long dreamed of the throne, apparently could not resist, jumped out of the carriage, and rode on horseback. Thus, he introduced another tradition: the monarch in white garments leads the column on a white horse, while his wife follows in a carriage. By the way, after ascending the throne, Paul tried to rehabilitate the memory of his father, Peter III, and undermine the authority of his mother, Catherine II. There is a version according to which he himself gave the name to the Peterhof Palace—in honor of his father,” added the historian.
In the palace, the emperors chose clothing for the coronation and discussed the details of the ceremony, as well as carried out the everyday royal duties: issued decrees, received officials, and held festive dinners. The artist Ilya Repin captured on a large canvas how Alexander III received the volost elders in the courtyard of the Petrovsky Travel Palace.
“Over time, the coronation grew in scale. Half of the court was transported from Petersburg to Moscow. For example, Nicholas II took with him 20 tons of silver and gold dishes alone. On the route to the Kremlin, galleries for spectators and triumphal arches were set up, troops were lined up. Folk festivities with the distribution of royal gifts were held on the Khodynka Field. Tickets for the ceremony were personalized, indicating the access zone: Red Square, the Kremlin, the Assumption Cathedral. People rented dachas along the road, bought window seats in them to see the procession. Technologies improved: photographers replaced artists making sketches. At the coronation of Nicholas II, there was already film shooting. The coronation is one of the most important and spectacular events for the country. And the Petrovsky Traveling Palace was its constant participant,” the interlocutor emphasized to mos.ru.
Where Napoleon looked at Moscow from
There are tragic pages in the history of the palace as well. During the Patriotic War of 1812, when Napoleon entered Moscow, infantry divisions of his army were stationed in the royal residence. According to the memoirs of the French officer Eugène Laborde, a military camp was set up nearby, and looted luxury items were stored in the garden pavilions: Persian carpets, Venetian glassware, jewelry, furniture, and furs.
“Napoleon did not want to leave Moscow, even when it was engulfed in fire. But soon he was informed that the gunpowder had not been removed from the Kremlin. The Emperor realized that he was literally sitting on a powder keg and could blow up. They had to evacuate urgently, but it was already too late: many urban buildings that served as landmarks had turned to ashes. Napoleon, who had gotten lost, and his retinue were found by parts of the French army. They led the emperor along the river to the northwest. Napoleon reached the Petrovsky Palace already exhausted and, without laying out a bed, fell powerless onto a campaign trunk (large chest). For several following days he observed the burning city from the residence windows, after which he moved on. The palace itself did not burn down but was noticeably damaged that year: first it was looted by the retreating French troops, then by local marauders,” Alexander Spivak clarified.
In 1826, Nicholas I, preparing for his coronation, found the residence ruined and dilapidated. By his order, the building was restored: the facade, grand staircase, and interiors were reconstructed, and the Petrovsky Park was also laid out.
The palace also witnessed another disaster. During the coronation of Nicholas II on May 18, 1896, a stampede occurred at Khodynka Field while distributing gifts. About one and a half thousand people died.
The Main Archive tells how Napoleon’s army lived in Moscow and left it in 1812.
From Military Hospital to Cultural and Historical Venue
Throughout the 20th century, the interiors of the Petrovsky Travel Palace were rebuilt to meet the needs of various institutions. During World War I, a hospital for the military was opened in the imperial residence. To make it convenient to bring the wounded directly to the palace steps, a tram line was laid into the courtyard. The architectural monument faced serious challenges after the 1917 revolution.
“It was occupied by a machine-gun company, which inflicted damage no less severe than the events of 1812. During the Civil War, city utilities ceased to operate, resulting in heating and lighting problems. On cold winter evenings, soldiers in the palace, trying to warm themselves, burned parquet floors and wallpapers in the stoves. By 1920, it became clear that the building needed saving, and it was transferred to the command of the N.E. Zhukovsky Air Force Academy. The institution occupied many buildings in the area from the current Dinamo metro station to Sokol — these housed educational buildings, staff apartments, cadet barracks, aircraft hangars, laboratories, and gymnasiums. At the same time, near Khodynka Field and the palace, the city’s first historical aerodrome operated, where future pilots trained their flying skills. Inside the residence itself, a library and dining hall were opened, and offices for administration were arranged. Also, ceremonial events were held here,” added the historian.
During the Great Patriotic War, from 1941 to 1943 — at the height of the Battle of Moscow, the academy was evacuated to Sverdlovsk, while only a special training center remained at the palace to prepare specialists called up from the reserves. Additionally, the building housed the headquarters of the Soviet Long-Range Aviation Forces. After the war, the academy continued to train cadets in its Moscow buildings. Many outstanding pilots, designers, and cosmonauts graduated from it. Among them were the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin; the first person to perform a spacewalk, Alexei Leonov; and the first woman cosmonaut, Valentina Tereshkova.
In 1997, the palace was placed under the jurisdiction of the Moscow City Hall. From 1998 to 2008, a comprehensive scientific restoration was carried out based on Matvey Kazakov’s projects. Today, the legendary building serves as the Reception House of the Moscow Government and a hotel. Additionally, it is a cultural and historical venue hosting tours, exhibitions, city festivals such as “Journey to Christmas” and “Moscow Estates,” concerts, children’s parties, and even weddings.
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