VORONTSOV PALACE (ДВОРЕЦ ВОРОНЦОВСКИЙ)

Built in the early th century, this palace is the main attraction of the city. Tudor style combines the romance of a medieval castle with the luxury of an English manor house. Count Vorontsov, the local governor, gave the work to Edward Blore, the special architect of King William IV and Queen Victoria. This talented architect also collaborated in the construction of Buckingham Palace in London and Sir Walter Scott Castle in Scotland. Although most of the palace is in neo-Gothic style, the south-east façade is reminiscent of the Alhambra of Granada. The vault of the balconies is engraved by Arabic calligraphy proclaiming the greatness of Allah. At the foot of the main building takes place «the stairs aux Lions», the masterpiece of the sculptor Bonani. The majestic beasts are in white marble and the lion lion bears the signature of the master. The palace is an oasis of greenery. Its entrance is flanked on both sides of a piece of flowers, with, in the centre of each, a magnificent fountain. Around the palace is a garden of 40 ha, with a large number of plants, lakes and waterfalls… Great romanticism… Which explains the kilometers of tails before the palace entrance in August.