built entirely of wood, and allocated to various members of the Royal Family. Countless galleries and chambers interconnected the individual palaces into a cohesive ensemble. Each palace was lavishly decorated, and each had an original roof in the shape of a barrel, a dome, or a cube. The roofs were covered with wooden tiles painted in green, and gilded in places. The tall domes were surmounted by Russian double-headed eagles or multicolored weathervanes. The numerous gilded cornices and lattice-work crests strengthened the impression of an endless variety of shapes. The palace had 270 rooms and 3,000 windows with mica panes, and jambs and lock-plates covered by complicated latticework and painted in brilliant colors.
The Kolomenskoye Palace played an important part in the life of Peter the Great. He was often brought here as a child, and visited frequently as an adult.
In the XX Century, Kolomenskoye became a historical museum and reserve, and boasts a splendid collection of Ancient Russian icons and folk art and a number of artifacts from the Tsar former residence. In the 1960s, several wooden structures, considered important from the architectural as well as historical points of view, such as wooden towers, barrels for the fermentation of honey, and an Arkhangelsk house in which Peter had once stayed, were shipped to Kolomenskoye from various parts of Russia. All these exhibits are on public view.
Winston Crown is a correspondent of the famous Russian newspaper. For the past 3 years he has been working as a freelance journalist and editor for Moscow Hotels and Moscow Apartments web site.