Time spares neither brick palaces nor fortresses, and wooden structures, susceptible to Baltic dampness and winds, suffer even more. Therefore, the remarkably preserved dacha of Prince Peter of Oldenburg, grandson of Paul I, on Kamenniy Island in St. Petersburg holds particular historical value.

Summer House of Count Chernychev

The plot was first mentioned in 1787 when it was gifted to the court seamstress by Grand Duke Pavel, son of Catherine II and Peter III. Eight years later, Madame Bilio sold the land to Count Ivan Grigorievich Chernychev, who immediately ordered the construction of a small house for escaping the city bustle.

The future home of the Oldenburgs was strikingly different from the usual country mansions, resembling more of a greenhouse. Tall windows let in plenty of light, and the rooms were immersed in greenery. Even bad weather could not spoil the relaxation among flowers and plants. During construction, the count added two small plots to the estate.

The building was remodeled into a classic country mansion. It is not precisely known who led the project, but many historians lean towards the version that it was architect Luigi Ruska.

A Princely Gift to the Prince

On June 30, 1830, Chernychev sold the estate to Prince Dolgorukov, who already owned a plot on Kamenniy Island and decided to build a luxurious mansion for Prince Oldenburg.

The new dacha was built in the classical style by architect Smagard Shustov, who had experience in similar projects. Among his works are the country houses of Prince Gagarin and the Beklemishev house. The construction lasted two years, and in 1833, Dolgorukov handed the house over to Peter Georgievich of Oldenburg.

The estate matched the owner's status: two grand staircases, a rotunda, facades with porticos and columns topped with a dome. Italian windows on the southern side became a true decoration.

And No Rest for the Old Dacha

In 1837, the building was remodeled again: balconies on the northern and western sides were closed off and turned into rooms, and the interiors were updated to the latest fashion. The reconstruction was led by architect Andrei Shtakenshneider. In 1839, Vasily Stasov added a two-story annex without changing the overall geometry of the rooms.

In 1841, the dacha received a residential wing and laundry under the guidance of architect Lev Tiblen. In 1869, a large-scale reconstruction of all adjacent buildings took place. The estate became a place of rest for the prince's family and friends, as evidenced by entries in their diaries.

High society gathered here, balls were held, and music played. The spacious wooden estate of Oldenburg was ideal for entertainment. However, over time, the dacha was abandoned as the prince's health deteriorated, and he could not climb the stairs without assistance.

A Series of Misfortunes

The abandoned building suffered from the flood of 1924, when the water rose 370 cm above normal. Half of Leningrad, including Kamenniy Island, was submerged.

After repairs in 1928, the dacha was included in the residential fund and transferred to the All-Russian Society of the Blind. The layout was changed for communal apartments, destroying the unique interiors. In 1930, a fire occurred in the building, destroying the dome, which was restored seven years later.

An interesting fact: fires, like floods, became a curse of the city. Thus, due to fire, the Church of St. Anna on Kirichnaya Street was almost lost.

In the second half of the 20th century, the house housed a student dormitory of the Medical Institute. Again, a fire destroyed almost the entire building, requiring a large-scale reconstruction. Ultimately, the dacha was dismantled and recreated by 1989.

A Piece of History on Kamenniy Island

Today, the estate has the status of a cultural heritage site and is a rare example of a small wooden palace. In 2017, it was acquired by a private investor for the creation of a hotel. The new owner negatively assessed the condition of the building: cracks in the foundation, a flooded basement, and the dome's painting and interiors require serious repairs.

But even in such a state, the house adorns the view of the Malaya Neva.