“Did you know that Grigori Rasputin once graced these very halls?” I ask. This is the Tolstoy House. A magnificent structure it stands before you. Built between 1910 and 1912 it was commissioned by Major-General Count Mikhail Pavlovich Tolstoy. He was a nephew of the famed 1812 war hero PA Tolstoy. The architect Fyodor Lidval designed this architectural masterpiece in the Nordic Art Nouveau style.
The Tolstoy House is more than just a building. It’s a microcosm of St Petersburg’s history. It’s a testament to the city’s opulent past. Its elegant facade speaks of wealth and grandeur. The interior is equally impressive. Lidval’s design is truly unique. It features interconnected inner yards. These create an inner street colloquially known as Lidval’s Street. The facades facing these yards are as richly decorated as the street-facing ones. This was unusual for St Petersburg at the time. Three-story arches lead to this hidden street. These arches are architectural highlights of the design. Made of limestone blocks they are framed with pilasters and obelisks.
The Tolstoy House was a building for all classes. It housed apartments for various income levels. From modest studios to luxurious suites it offered accommodations for all. The building boasted modern amenities for its time. It had air conditioning ventilation plumbing electricity telephone lines and even 19 elevators. Can you imagine? Ten coal-fired boilers in the basement provided steam heating. Residents also enjoyed 16 laundries several billiard rooms and a gym.
Count Tolstoy did not live to see his building completed. He died in Nice in 1913. His widow Countess Olga Tolstoy inherited the estate. She was a princess from the Vasilchikov family. Her father was Prince Alexander Illarionovich Vasilchikov. He was famously involved in the 1841 duel between Mikhail Lermontov and Nikolai Martynov.
After the Russian Revolution the Tolstoy House was nationalized. Many apartments became communal. Some were repurposed for non-residential use. One notable example is apartment number 108. It was given to the Nikolay Smolich theater studio. During World War II apartment 106 served as a pillbox. The basements were used as bomb shelters. Tragically at least 17 residents died in the war. 329 died from starvation during the Siege of Leningrad. The inner street was significantly altered after the war. Driveways were added and poplars were planted. This unfortunately lost Lidval’s original concept.
The Tolstoy House has been a star in numerous Russian films. It even stood in for parts of London in the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. Even today many famous people live in the Tolstoy House. This incredible building is a living breathing part of St Petersburg’s history. It’s a must-see for any visitor to this beautiful city. It offers a glimpse into the lives of generations of Petersburgers. A century of stories are woven into its walls. This building continues to captivate and inspire. It’s a treasure of St Petersburg’s rich past and vibrant present.