Из истории ремонтных работ в Бахчисарайском дворце в конце XVIII в.: хроника восстановлений и разрушений

Abstract

This article uses published documents and unpublished archival sources as the background to analyse the works on repair and restoration undertaken in the Palace of Bakhchisarai on the eve and after the visit of Catherine II to the Crimea. The conclusion is that the preparation of the imperial journey became an important incentive for the local authorities to carry out the necessary repair and restoration works in the palace. After the visit, the period of gradual deterioration of the palace infrastructure began. Later on, all subsequent large-scale renovations of the palace complex were connected with the czars’ visits. An important factor in supporting the infrastructure of the Palace of Bakhchisarai was the transfer of the monument, in 1799, to the disposal of the Hof-Quartermaster’s Office. In 1802, the Palace of Bakhchisarai was removed from the direct control of the Hof-Quartermaster’s Office and transferred to under the local authorities, though it kept a special status of an “absent place” (otsutstvennoe mesto) accountable to the imperial court. At the same time, the staff of the palace and the annual expenditures for its ongoing repairs were approved by the emperor. It was a guaranteed minimum, the abolition of which required a special decision of the czar.