The Bristol Hotel, located at Pushkinskaya 15, stands as a primary example of the architectural influence Alexander Bernardazzi exerted over the Russian Empire. Operating primarily in Chișinău and Odessa, his career spanned the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, defining much of the urban landscape in those regions through public works and private residential mansions.
Early Career and Municipal Roles
Born in 1831 in Pyatigorsk, Bernardazzi was raised in a town significantly shaped by his father, Giuseppe Marco Bernardazzi, and his uncle, both architects of Swiss origin from Pambio. Following his education in Moscow, he began his professional path in Chișinău. From 1856 to 1878, he held the position of city architect, where his contributions included the design of the Chișinău City Hall and St. Teodora de la Sihla Church.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Development in Odessa
In 1878, he relocated to Odessa, assuming the role of city architect the following year. During the mid-1880s, he also served as an architect at the Novaya Rossiya University. His output included the former Odessa railway station, built between 1879 and 1883, and the Odessa International Technical Society building constructed in 1887. He further oversaw the construction of a disability house on Mechnikova 53 in 1886.
Public and Private Projects
By the 100th anniversary of Odessa, Bernardazzi directed the technical division of the Architectural Society. Notable commissions from the 1890s include the New Stock Exchange, currently serving as the Odessa Philharmonic Theater, and the Bristol Hotel, completed in 1899. His residential portfolio featured mansions and buildings on streets such as Preobrazhenska, Pastera, and Bazarna, alongside the Porto-Franko Bank on Pushkinska 10.
Final Years
Bernardazzi passed away on August 14, 1907, in Fastiv. He was interred in Chișinău alongside his mother. His legacy is physically manifested in the numerous structures that remain in active use, ranging from medical school clinics and hospitals on Belinsky 9 to his various residential designs throughout the region.
Fast facts
- Born: 1831, Pyatigorsk
- Died: 1907, Fastiv
- Citizenship: Russian Empire
- Occupation: Architect
- Buried: Chișinău
- Notable Work: Bristol Hotel
- Notable Work: Chișinău City Hall
Questions readers ask
Where is Alexander Bernardazzi buried?
He is buried in Chișinău.
What major building did he design in Odessa that now serves as a theatre?
The New Stock Exchange, which is now the Odessa Philharmonic Theater.
Achievements
- Notable work: Chișinău City Hall
- Notable work: Bristol Hotel
