The palace and the park complex (1830-1846, total territory 40 hectares) is one of the most beautiful spots in Ukraine. Ai-Petri - one of the peaks in the Crimean mountains looms over the green terraces of the park and the sea. The artificial fascinating landscapes of the park are in full harmony with the palace built for the governor-general of the Novorosiyskyi Krai (a Southern administrative unit in Russian Empire) M. Vorontsov in 1828-48. The palace was designed by architect E. Blore (the author of ideas of Buckingham House and the Westminster Abbey) and represents synthesis of Late English Gothic style and Moorish motifs.

Vorontsov brought servants from his estates all over Russia to create the palace and the large gardens below and above it on the hillside.

The first room to be constructed of the Vorontsovsky Palace was the dining room, built from 1830-1834. The main and central wing of the building was constructed from 1831-1837. During 1841-1842, a billiard room was added to the dining room. During 1838-1844, the guest wing, the east wing, towers, the maintenance wing, and the front entrance were added on to the building. The last wing built of the castle was the library wing, constructed from 1842-1846. The remaining years on the construction of the palace were spent on the interior decor.

There are about 150 rooms in the palace decorated by English, French and Russians masters with marvellous statues of antique gods, canvases by Italian, French, English and Russian painters.

The gardens is a masterpiece of landscape architecture. It includes a dense artificial forest, filled with enormous boulders that during the ages have fallen from the cliffs in odd shapes and lodged in positions which the landscape artist has utilized in an ingenious and artistic manner. There are said to be 1,140,000 plants. Every tree was planted by hand and 127 varieties are represented.

Now you have the possibility to look at the panorama of the southern façade of the Vorontsovsky Palace. This side faces the sea. You’ll be excited by its view. It is always sunny and beautiful.