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The Grotto – the only pavilion in Russia that has preserved its unique "grotto" decor from the 18th century, is the most exotic among the architectural structures of the Kuskovo estate. For about ten years (1761 – 1775), the master Johann Focht, a German craftsman hired by Count P.B. Sheremetev based on a "signed contract," worked intermittently on the interiors of the Grotto. The walls and ceilings of the cabinets are richly decorated with shells, tuff, glass, mirror pieces, and plaster stucco. One is inevitably drawn into a fairy-tale, exotic world...

The element of water in stone – this is the main theme that resonates in the architecture of this three-part baroque building, constructed between 1756 and 1761 under the direction of the court architect of the Sheremetevs - Fyodor Semyonovich Argunov. It creates the illusion that a fountain is bubbling from a stone vase on the dome, the water "spreads" over the roof, the columns, and extends in three circles at the base of the building. The feeling is enhanced by the reflection of the Grotto in the shimmering water surface.

The placement of wooden and barrel-shaped dolls in half human size, adorned with sea and river shells, which Count P.B. Sheremetev specifically purchased for the Grotto in 1775, "animates" the magnificent cabinets. The shell carvings, perceived as a rarity in Russia, are unique works of Western and Central European masters from the second half of the 18th century, unmatched in Russia.

The pastel-coloured palette of the "marble-like" wall paintings creates a sense of understated solemnity in the central hall, where light and air, the echoing height of the dome – and the overwhelming contrast to the gloom of the "underwater caves" of the lateral risalites play a special role. Two cabinets, arranged around the centre of the Grotto, are oriented towards different cardinal directions – south and north. In the southern cabinet, warm tones dominate, while in the northern cabinet, cool colour palettes prevail. As one moves from south to north, the mood shifts from festive to intimate. On the walls and vaults of the small "cabinets," richly decorated with plaster stucco and tuff, enlivened by the shine of broken glass and mirror pieces, the "Grotesques" bloom with baroque splendour. Everything here served the purpose of creating a fairy-tale, exotic world. The whimsical curves of fanciful plants and intricate spirals alternate with depictions of strange animals, birds, fish, and sun discs with radiant rays against a background of white, grey, yellow, and pink tuff. However, the main value of the grotto's "inventions" were the shells – twenty-six species from the Mediterranean, Red, Japanese, Black Seas, and waters of the Moscow region, with expressive names: "Helmet Buoy," "Noble Pen," "Noah's Arch," "Pelican Leg," "Sea Ear," "Astreja rugosa," "Pearl Boat," "Painting Pearl."

📍 Coordinates of the location (map point) available here

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