Odessa is rich in interesting and beautiful buildings, which are valuable historical monuments — evidence of the city’s prosperity in the early-mid XIX century. One of such buildings, rightfully called a visiting card and included in the list of the most important architectural monuments of the city, is the building the Odessa Literary Museum — Prince Gagarin’s Palace.
The palace is located on Lanzheronovskaya Street, 2 near Odessa Opera House on a picturesque steep bluff above the sea. The building was erected in the 40s of the XIX century by architect L. Otton, who created such sights of Odessa as Abaza Palace, the house of Count M.D. Tolstoy and others.
The palace was built for Prince D.I. Gagarin — one of the first citizens of the city, a representative of the highest circles of the Russian aristocracy as a ceremonial mansion for receptions and balls. The building was made in the style of Russian classicism with elements of eclecticism, such a combination of architectural styles is more often called free southern eclecticism and Gagarin’s palace is one of the best examples of this unique style that originated in Odessa.
The facade of the two-story palace faces East — towards the sea. The architectural composition resembles a castle, which is facilitated by the external decoration of the building: a massive basement, tower-like bay windows and arched windows. Through the main entrance, the visitor immediately enters the front lobby, which surprises not only by the abundance of space, but also by the unusual combination of Baroque and Renaissance styles in the interior.
The main style-forming element of the lobby is a vast marble staircase, diverging in both directions and leading to the front apartments on the second floor. Looking at this staircase, it is easy to imagine how it was descended and ascended by elegant visitors to balls and social events, to feel the spirit of the time, fragrant with majesty and solemnity.
The second floor parade apartments begin with the main hall, which is enfiladed by smaller halls. Here one can see the peculiarities of southern eclecticism in all its glory: a harmonious combination of Empire, Baroque and Classicism, ceilings generously decorated with stucco, large window openings, set parquet of precious wood. Thanks to the restoration carried out in 1978-83, the interiors and facades of the palace have survived almost unchanged.
The 21st hall of the museum — Gagarin’s palace — is an exposition of the literary history of Odessa, here original features of the interiors are combined with modern elements and exposition. Therefore, the Golden Hall is considered to be the only memorial hall of the palace that has survived to us in an unchanged form.
The history of the Golden Hall is connected with the names of prominent artists; in this beautiful room, combining elements of Baroque and Empire, the great composer Franz Liszt once gave a concert, I. Bunin, G. Longfellow, M. Zankovetska, V. Jabotinsky and many others performed here. Even today the most important cultural events of the city take place here. The peculiarities of the interior of the Golden Hall are the bay window with five arched windows, providing an abundance of light and air, creating even a feeling of their excess, and, of course, excellent acoustics.
The building performed the function of a palace for balls for about 6 years, then it was rented out, and in 1898 the Gagarins gave it to a literary and aristocratic society. Since then, the former palace of the Gagarins became the center of the cultural life of the city, many famous writers and poets who came to Odessa on vacation visited it. The museum was opened in the former palace in 1984, and now anyone can visit this beautiful landmark of Odessa.