The Alupka Palace is one of the main sights of Greater Yalta. It was built as the summer residence of Count Mikhail Vorontsov, who was Governer-General of the Novorossiisky Territory (the southern lands of the European part of Russia). It took 23 years to build the palace (1828-1851) to the design of British architect Edward Blore, who also actively participated in the design of Buckingham Palace. The Palace is surrounded by an old park where there are fountains, ponds, cascades and terraces. Since 1921, the Alupka Palace has been a museum. Visitors get an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the life of the first owners of the palace and see the interior decoration of nine main halls of the palace, dating back to 1830's and 1840's.