This 1979 Soviet collectible postcard showcases an evening view of the Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv, captured in an artistic composition reflecting the building in water.
What is shown on the postcard
The photograph captures the main facade of the Mariinskyi Palace at dusk with decorative illumination. The composition relies on a mirror reflection, where the actual building and its inverted reflection in the water are separated by a dark horizontal line of a pool edge or parapet. Notably, this postcard image is printed upside down (rotated 180 degrees), making the sky look brighter at the bottom and the silhouettes of the trees point downwards. The facade of the palace is painted in its signature turquoise and pale yellow colors, showcasing the semicircular second-floor windows, colonnades, and ornate stucco details.
Historical note
The Mariinskyi (formerly Royal) Palace in Kyiv was commissioned in 1744 by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna and designed by the prominent baroque architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Construction, supervised by Russian architect Ivan Michurin, was completed by 1752. Following a devastating fire in the 19th century, the palace was reconstructed in 1870 by architect Karl Mayevsky, who carefully preserved Rastrelli’s original Baroque style. During the Soviet era, the building served for government receptions and official state events of the Ukrainian SSR.
Present day
Today, the Mariinskyi Palace serves as the official ceremonial residence of the President of Ukraine. The building hosts major state events, summits, official meetings with heads of foreign nations, and diplomatic receptions. The palace underwent a extensive multi-year renovation, completed in 2018, which fully restored the architectural landmark’s historical interior halls and exterior decor.
Location (map)
Address: 5A Mykhaila Hrushevskoho St, Kyiv, Ukraine
Coordinates: 50.448361, 30.537611
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Precise geographic coordinates of the Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv..
Questions and answers
- What year was this postcard published? The postcard was published in 1979.
- Who designed the original project of the palace? The palace project was designed by architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1744.
- What function does the Mariinskyi Palace serve today? Today, the palace serves as the official ceremonial residence of the President of Ukraine for state receptions and high-level international meetings.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Kyiv from 1979.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.