Exhibition 'Grotto Pavilion'

About exhibition

The 'Grotto' at the Kuskovo estate is the only pavilion in Russia to have preserved its unique 18th-century decoration. It is the most exotic of the estate's architectural structures. The interiors of the Grotto—the main hall and two cabinets—are as decorative and expressive as its facades. A low panel up to the window sills in the central hall serves as a pedestal for eight pairs of Corinthian columns with gilded bases and capitals. Through the dormer windows, which in the 18th century were draped with green fabrics, a greenish, water-like light pours in. In the niches are wooden and clay dolls half the height of a human, decorated with sea and river shells. They were purchased by the owner himself, Count Pavel Sheremetev, in 1775 specifically for the Grotto. The shell sculpture comprises unique works by Western European masters of the second half of the 18th century, with no equivalents in the country. In winter the pavilion is open from 10:00 to 16:00; in summer until 18:00. The last Wednesday of the month is a sanitary (cleaning) day.