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The Palaces of the Pototski's | |
most known palaces of the Pototskis was built (or rather
reconstructed) in the beginning of XVIIIth century in Nemiriv. The mentioned Nemiriv congress was held in it (1737). At the
end of the century Vincent Pototskiy built a new castle, which became the real decoration
of the town. The Polish king Stanislav-Avgust, who was in Nemiriv in May 16, 1787 had an
opportunity to be convinced on it. Unfortunately, the palace was not conserved; its image
we can observe on a water-color painting of the Polish painter of the XIX century Mikola
Orda. Much luckier were palaces of the Pototskis in Tulchin. This city became one of the
most important centers of the East-European policy. The greatness of the family of
Pototskis should emphasize by the palace, built in Tulchin in 80-90’s years of the
XVIIIth century. The ensemble, which was built by the architect Lakrua, was a two-storied
building with wings, which connected by the arch galleries. All complex was on a plateau,
the park was around and the avenues was laid. The contemporaries of Stanislav-Shchensniy
Pototskiy - the owner of Tulchin that time – said that it was the royal court yard, not
the court yard of the ordinary magnate. There was not such palace in 
Ukraine. The
biographer Nemtsevich wrote about palace: “The furniture, pictures, crystal, bronze -
the riches, which are brought from all parts of the world, - all this was magnificent. I
never saw a richer interior”. The architects Latur, Lampi, Lakrua realized the idea of a
decoration of the palace by episodes from the antique myths. Walking the palace clockwise,
it was possible to study all antique mythology. Halls of Zeus, Aphrodite, Gera, the Gold
and Silver halls delighted the contemporaries. The unique picture gallery, which consist
of paintings of Roubence, Van-Deik, Tician, library and archive on 17 thousand volumes,
collections of medals and coins, rare ware – all this complete one another. The
traditions were followed here, the orders did not change on decades. One of the family of
Pototskis – Leon - testifies about traditions, which dominated in a patrimonial nest:
"... The house is always overfilling, besides the large 
family many
nobles from the all territory, even from abroad, from Austria, gather here. The guests get
carriages, servants, food and even clothes. It happened, when guest arrived on some days,
he remained here for weeks and months together with the wife and children – because it
was cheerful and convenient here. When there was a time of entertainment, the music
played, the theatres and masquerades varied continuously”. Famous Uman “Sofiivka”,
which became an original park-architectural pearl - a symbol of love of the count
Stanislav Pototskiy and Sophia Glovani, was built in 1796-1800 years. On the
several hectares of the stony ground in a short term there was constructed “a small
Greece”, where it is possible to enter the grotto of Tantal, to drink water from a
source of Gippokrena, to hide in a garden of the Giants and travel by the underground
river Sticks. This park symbolized Sofia Pototska - the sensual and pretentious woman. The
works in park proceeded till the death of the count Stanislav (1805). This time the Great
waterfall with the iron bridge and the Amsterdam sluice were built, the Lion grotto was
constructed in the rock, the grotto of Venus and pool of the Fish were built, the Bottom
and Top ponds were dug. Later, in the middle of XIXth century, the Pink pavilion was
completed, the island of Anti-Cercea was given in a due condition. Also the Dead lake the
Main cascade were reconstructed. The park got the completed view and remains the
sophisticated creation till today.
