Published on: 2026-10-05
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
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In the 18th–19th centuries Petrovsky Travel Palace dozens of people were employed: the estate manager, maids, cooks, stokers, grooms, and gardeners. And when the emperor arrived at the residence, he was also served by chamberlains, the master of ceremonies, the chief chamberlain, and others. Court ranks are now history, but even today the main task of the palace staff remains unchanged: they still maintain order, organize ceremonial events, and receive guests.
A mos.ru correspondent spoke with the current employees of the palace. We explain how their positions might have been called three centuries ago, what their duties are now, and why working at the palace has become a life’s calling.
In the service of the Empress. From chamberlains to gatekeepers
The order to build the Petrovsky Travel Palace was issued by Empress Catherine II. It was conceived as a ceremonial residence at the entrance to Moscow, where monarchs and noble persons could stay after a long and tiring journey from Saint Petersburg. The palace also had symbolic significance: the triumphal castle was erected to commemorate the victory in the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774. Architect Matvey Kazakov created an outstanding ensemble in the pseudo-Gothic style, combining elements of Gothic, ancient Russian architecture, and eastern fortresses. Its construction began 250 years ago, in 1776. The main work was completed three years later, followed by finishing touches. The sovereign had the chance to stay there twice. Her son, Paul I, incorporated the palace into the coronation statute: since then, emperors awaited their crowning in this residence, and from here their solemn procession to the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin began from the city outskirts. The number of courtiers and servants in the palace varied depending on whether members of the imperial family were present or not.
“During the preparation for the coronation, thousands of people could be serving at the palace because the entire retinue arrived with the sovereign from St. Petersburg. The immediate entourage consisted of courtiers. For example, the ober-chamberlain organized audiences, the chamberlains recorded meetings in the journal, and the ladies-in-waiting attended to the empress. The cavalry guards and guard regiments were responsible for security and participated in the ceremonial procession. The monarch and nobility also had valets who carried out personal errands, prepared dresses, and maintained order in the chambers. Musicians were invited to formal dinners. The palace also had a permanent staff who maintained cleanliness and order even when the sovereign was away. This included the estate manager, chambermaids, cooks, laundresses, dishwashers, grooms, gardeners, and gatekeepers (the name given to the guards at the gates). At various times, the number of people varied approximately from 50 to 300. Since a coronation is a rare event, they usually saw the emperor only once in their lives,” said Alexander Spivak, a staff member of the palace’s exhibition department.
But this does not mean that the chambers were empty for decades. Distinguished persons often stayed at the residence, and when necessary, regiments of the Moscow garrison were quartered here. Also, the chambers could house an official arriving from another province who had not yet been allocated an official apartment. The palace was a kind of hotel for state needs. However, no one was lodged in the imperial chambers.
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Manager of a high-tech palace
Today, the manager does not need to worry about stoking the furnaces and lighting the halls with candles: the palace is equipped with heating and electricity. It is also equipped with other technologies. The household is managed by Mikhail Ivliev, deputy head of the department of cultural and business spaces.
“The paving stones in the courtyard are heated so that ice does not form on them during the cold season and guests can walk comfortably. The premises are equipped with a climate control system with steam units that maintain the specified temperature and humidity — this is necessary to preserve antique furniture and art. Similar systems are installed in museums and mansions. It is necessary to monitor the proper functioning of all these systems,” clarified Mikhail Ivliev.
In addition, he oversees the preservation of the exteriors and interiors of the architectural monument. If it is necessary to restore historical elements, such as facade decoration and furniture, he coordinates the work with by the Moscow Department of Cultural Heritage and attracts restorers.
Contemporary master of ceremonies and archivist
Today, the palace is used as the Reception House of the Moscow Government. At the same time, the historic residence is open to everyone: on its grounds, one can visit the hotel and restaurant complex, tours, exhibitions, city festivals, concerts, and children’s parties, and even hold weddings. The organization of ceremonial and cultural events is handled by Yan Kondrusevich, head of the exhibition activities department. His role is similar to that of a chief usher. In the Russian Empire, he was the main organizer of court ceremonies, arranged formal receptions and banquets, and implemented the complex coronation protocol. The chief usher developed the scenario of the ceremonial day from the procession at the Petrovsky Travel Palace to the start of the church service and the proclamation of the emperor: he determined the sequence of ceremonies and seating arrangements of the participants, managed the actions of courtiers, actors, and musicians.
“Today, such epochal events do not happen in the palace, but it remains an important part of the capital’s life. I create the schedule to ensure that ceremonial meetings and award ceremonies do not overlap with tours and other events, check the readiness of the premises and technical services, and instruct the staff. Film studios often contact us: the Senate Palace of the Moscow Kremlin, which was also built by Matvey Kazakov, is closed for filming, and our Round Hall with a dome is used as an alternative. This year, the Petrovsky Traveling Palace became a venue for the ‘Estates of Moscow’ festival. We plan to participate more actively in city projects. Previously, the palace was the face of Moscow: everyone entering via the Tverskoy route saw it. Our task is to make the residence one of the key attractions of the capital once again,” shared Yan Kondrusevich.
Alexander Spivak, as a historian and art expert, creates exhibition concepts in the palace and gives lectures.
“The themes are usually related to the palace, emphasizing its historical significance: we tell visitors about the life of the imperial family, coronations, the Patriotic War of 1812, because Napoleon took refuge from the Moscow fire within these walls. I am a collector myself, and some of my items become exhibition exhibits. I have one of the largest collections of tin boxes issued for the centenary of the war in 1912. These are packaging from sweets of the confectionery factories Abrikosov, ‘Einem’, ‘Trading House Lenovykh’,” he noted.
The specialist also engages in historical research: he looks for documents, photographs, films that could tell more about how the palace looked and what life was like there over the years.
“I can be compared to an archivist who studies ancient documents. For example, right now I am researching the fate of the brothers Giovanni Battista and Giuseppe Angiolo Artari: they painted the spherical dome of the Round Hall using the grisaille technique. Such work allows us to reveal a monument of architecture from a new perspective and also to preserve Moscow’s cultural heritage for future generations. After all, the Petrovsky Travel Palace is an outstanding example of Russian Neo-Gothic and a witness to key events in the country’s history,” emphasized the interlocutor. mos.ru.
More about the history of the Petrovsky Travel Palace — in on the mos.ru site.
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