Venus Pavilion on the Island of Love

A pavilion similar to that seen by Paul 1 in the French estate at Chantilly, designed and built in 1791-1793 under the direction of Vincenzo Brenna. The guests of the park, who sailed to the Island of Love on boats, had a wonderful view: a light green pavilion with huge windows-doors was reflected in the calm waters of the White Lake. The main facade of the building was decorated with a four-column portico on a high plinth, ending in a triangular pediment. The pediment housed a torch, roses, laurel branches and a quiver with arrows - the emblem of Cupid's messenger of love. In 1797, a painted plafond "Triumph of Venus" by the German painter Johann Mettenleiter appeared in the pavilion. The pavilion was significantly damaged during the Second World War. Parquet flooring, wall paintings and a picturesque ceiling were damaged. The walls and columns were pierced by shrapnel from artillery shells. In 1963-1965, the pavilion was restored according to the project of the architects and restorers of the Special Scientific Restoration Production Workshops. The painting of the walls and plafond was restored by the artist L. A. Lyubimov. In 1974-1979 the interior of the pavilion was reconstructed according to the project of the architect A. A. Kedrinsky based on the drawings of the "Kushelevsky Album".

The pavilion dedicated to the ancient Roman goddess of love Venus is located on the Island of Love, which is triangular in plan and cut off from the land by artificial channels. Washed on three sides by the waters of Lake White, this small building was designed by the architect Vincenzo Brenna. Moreover, a similar structure, which was located in France, in the estate of the Prince of Condé in Chantilly, became the prototype. While traveling abroad, Tsarevich Pavel Petrovich saw this park idea and wished that something similar would appear in his beloved Gatchina. In 1791, canals were dug, and then, for two years, the construction and decoration of the Venus Pavilion, which became a favorite resting place, went on. They sailed here on boats and through the steps through the huge windows-doors entered the large hall decorated with fountains, painting in the grisaille technique and a huge picturesque plafond "Triumph of Venus" by I. Ya. Mettenleiter, made in 1797.

A beautiful pavilion, which is currently the dominant feature of the Island of Love and at the same time very gracefully diversifies the landscape of the entire park.

The park in Gatchina itself is quite good. Especially beautiful in autumn. But the number of fellow citizens on Sunday is beyond the bounds :) You can not find solitude in the weekend exactly. And so there is a standard spbesny set: water space, architectural object, dofiga gulls and ducks.

A small cozy pavilion on the lake, interesting painting.