Theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of monuments of cultural heritage (on the example of the palace and park ensemble of Tsarskoe selo). Part one

The article is devoted to the analysis of the complex of theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of monuments of cultural heritage, in particular, monuments with complex structure. Particular emphasis is placed on the use, in relation to the study of compound and dynamically developing cultural complexes, of the concept of “Gestalt”, in its interpretation by Goethe and Spengler. On the basis of this concept the review of the main stages of development of the Tsarskoye Selo Palace and Park ensemble acting as a vivid example of the analyzed monuments is carried out. The initial “prototype” of the Tsarskoye Selo ensemble is revealed, the process of interpenetration of various “layers” that make up its morphogenesis is revealed, the question of fixing the “reference layer” of the Tsarskoye Selo ensemble and some other aspects are analyzed.