 |
The architectural ensemble in 20, Mokhovaya Street , which is on the Vagankov Hill just opposite the Kremlin and is universally known as Pashkov's House , is an example of classicism in architecture, houses the Russian State Library. Initially it was the mansion of Captain P. Pashkov which had been built by the famous Russian architect Vasily Bazhenov in the 1780s.
Pashkov's House has a central section with a four-column Ionic portico and lower symmetrical side wings with pediments. |
The walls are finely decorated. The ensemble also includes the 16th century Church of St.Nicholas the Wonder Worker. Inside there used to be a garden with winding paths, a fountain, grottos, statues and enclosures with parrots, peacocks and other rare exotic birds. On Sundays the garden was open to visitors. The building was completely destroyed in the fire of 1812, but was soon restored according to the original design. Only a fragment of the forged railing fence which surrounded the park of the mansion has survived. In place of the park, Mokhovaya street goes through there now.
In 1839, Pashkov's heirs gave the mansion over to the state. At first a gymnasium was opened there. Twenty years later the private collection of Count Nikolai Rumyantsev was brought from St.Petersburg and housed there. There were several sections: ancient artefacts, including an Egyptian mummy, rare minerals, pictures – one of them was the famous Christ's Appearance to the People by Alexander Ivanov, ethnographic rarities, manuscripts and books. A museum was opened in the house. It worked seven days a week, with free admittance on Sundays. That museum was the beginning of the USSR State Library named after Lenin.
Pashkov's House has never been renovated. Its foundation has been strengthened and “cosmetic” redecoration has been done from time to time, but that did not save the house from becoming dilapidated. The house was closed and restoration started 14 years ago, but due to the lack of funds all work had to be stopped. At the end of 2005 the government endorsed a new plan which envisages the restoration of the ensemble, as well as the construction of a new building for the library. The project will cost a billion roubles.
Pashkov's House is shrouded in numerous legends and rumours. According to one of them, the King of Prussia, standing on its tower, paid homage to Moscow for saving his kingdom from Napoleon. It is also said that there was an underground passage from a part of the city beyond the Moskva River to the Kremlin. Mikhail Bulgakov chose this place for describing Voland's parting with the city.
