This snow-white beauty appeared on the banks of the Volga more than 170 years ago. It was built on the site of the “Chinese pavilion” – a small gazebo in the chinoiserie style, which was extremely popular in Russia in the second half of the 18th century. Variations on the theme of Chinese “tea houses” were usually placed in spots with beautiful views, so that people could admire nature and meditate.
Over time, the pavilion fell into disrepair, and in the 1840s a rotunda gazebo in the spirit of classicism was built in its place. It became the first structure of this kind in Yaroslavl. Later, three more gazebos were built in its likeness, but this one is valued much more highly than the others. Of course it is, after all, it is a contemporary of Nekrasov himself!
True, in 1905 Yaroslavl nearly lost this romantic landmark. The city authorities then decided that its reconstruction would cost the treasury too much, so it would be more profitable to demolish it. But outraged townspeople staged a mass protest and managed to save the gazebo.
Today it is one of the main symbols of Yaroslavl. Newlyweds come here, tourists take photographs by it, and lovers arrange meetings here. Many even call it the “gazebo of love.” How many romantic meetings and partings it has witnessed in its lifetime, perhaps only the Volga alone knows.
