“Seventeen seventy-four to 1780.” Those are the years when Nikolskaya Usadba was built. It was constructed for Peter Grigoryevich Demidov. He was a descendant of a Tula arms manufacturer. Peter Grigoryevich was honored by Peter I for supplying weapons to the army. This occurred during the time of the Tula manufacturers.
Nikolskaya Usadba later belonged to the heirs of Peter Grigoryevich Demidov. They lived in the estate. However, they did not make significant changes to it. In 1873, P.G. Demidov’s grandson sold the estate to K.P. Lilienfeld-Toal. In 1900, the Saint Petersburg administration acquired the land. It became a place for the mentally ill.
A unique building for psychiatric patients emerged. It was the Church of St. Panteleimon the Healer. Architect I.Yu. Moshinsky designed it in 1909. Today, the Saint Petersburg Psychiatric Hospital named after P.P. Kaschenko occupies the Nikolskaya Usadba. Oleg Vasilyevich Limankin is the chief physician.
The architect of Nikolskaya Usadba was likely Ivan Egorovich Starov. He was a major figure in Russian classicism. The manor house sits on a terrace. Two alleys connect it to the outbuildings. A circular road surrounds the parterre. This road leads to the main house. It passes through a circular driveway.
A farm area was located near the entrance. There was also a formal fruit garden. A picturesque park extended from the house. It stretched towards the road to Saint Petersburg. Only a rotunda-esedra remains of the many park structures. It stands opposite the main house. It divides the Sivorka River.
Although the descendants of Peter Grigoryevich Demidov lived at Nikolskaya Usadba, they did not significantly alter it. In 1873, the heir P.G. Demidov sold the estate to K.P. Lilienfeld-Toal. In 1900, the Saint Petersburg government purchased the Nikolskaya Usadba. They used it as a facility for the insane.
The church of St. Panteleimon the Healer is a unique structure. Architect I.Yu. Moshinsky designed it in 1909. Today the Saint-Petersburg psychiatric hospital named after P.P. Kaschenko is located here. The head doctor is Oleg Vasilyevich Limankin. Nikolskaya Usadba stands as a testament to changing times. Its history reflects the evolving needs and priorities of Saint Petersburg. From a private estate to a place of healing, its story continues to unfold.