St. Petersburg is a city of palaces. From the very foundation of St. Petersburg, the royal family lived in it, for which summer and winter apartments were built. These buildings have created a unique image of this city.
The article will present the most famous palaces of St. Petersburg. After reading this brief overview of the palace complexes, you will learn a little about the history of the northern capital and its sights. And if in the future you decide to visit the palaces of St. Petersburg, they will amaze you with their beauty and luxury of the interiors. After all, each is unique in its own way and is an architectural gem of the city.
Mikhailovsky Palace in St. Petersburg
In 1719, on the site where the Mikhailovsky Palace is currently located, Peter I planted an orchard. It stretched from the Fontanka to the Krivusha river. In 1798, Paul I decided to build apartments for his son Mikhail on this site. And ordered to set aside several hundred thousandrubles each year for construction. By 1819, a significant amount had been accumulated, but after a palace coup, Paul I was killed.
But the will of the sovereign was nevertheless carried out by Alexander I, who began construction. The Mikhailovsky Palace in St. Petersburg was built thanks to the architect K. I. Rossi. The building was planned to be created in the form of a Russian estate, consisting of the main building and two side wings. In 1823, construction work was completed, and in 1825, finishing began. Remarkable artists, sculptors, furniture makers, stone cutters worked on the interior decoration. At the entrance to the building there is a wide granite staircase. It is decorated with two lion statues on the sides. In 1895, an order was signed by Nicholas II that the palace is now the Russian Museum of Emperor Alexander III.
At the moment, visiting the building, you will see a huge collection of Russian art, paintings by such famous artists as A. Rublev, K. Bryullov, F. Shubin, I. Repin, I. Shishkin, M. Vrubel, M Chagall and many others.
Stroganov family nest
Belonged to Count A. Stroganov. It was built in 1753. The building is presented as an impeccable example of Russian baroque. The project was created by the architect F. B. Rastrelli. It consisted of fifty rooms, a large hall and a gallery. After the revolution, the Stroganov family was expelled from their family nest. The palace was plundered, the richest collections were destroyed.
For many years the building was used by government agencies. And in 1990 it was given to the Russian Museum. Only the dance hall has retained its decoration to this day.
Mariinsky Palace
It was built on the site of the apartments of Count I. G. Chernyshev. The name is given in honor of Princess Maria (daughter of Emperor Nicholas I). Construction began in 1839. During the construction, technical innovations were used, such as metal rafters. The interior of the palace is impressive. The architect created a suite of halls. Inside the palace there was even a church, which was created in the spirit of Byzantine temples.
After the February Revolution, various government departments were housed in the building for many years. Since 1994, the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg has been located here.
Yusupov Palace in St. Petersburg
Initially, the palace was built for Count P. I. Shuvalov. And then he went to Countess A. V. Brannitskaya. After 35 years, the palace is redeemed by Prince N. B. Yusupov. Some of the best architects and decorators worked on the creation of a masterpiece.
The Yusupov Palace is located in St. Petersburg, namely on the embankment of the Moika River. The building is one of the best examples of an aristocratic interior.
On December 17, 1916, a well-known event took place in the basement of the palace - the mysterious G. Rasputin was killed.
In our time, first of all, it is a museum, and then a theater where performances are given. The original interiors of the 19th century, amazing in their beauty, have been preserved in the palace, which are hospitably open for weddings and other celebrations.
Winter Palace
This is the standardtrue sophistication and luxury. The building was built in the Baroque style. The Winter Palace is located in St. Petersburg, namely on the banks of the Winter Canal. This creation of F. B. Rastrelli is called the heart of the northern capital.
The palace is 200 meters long, 22 meters high and 160 meters wide. It is built in the form of a quadrangle. Inside is a large courtyard. The facades face the river, the Palace Square and the Admir alty. And what a beautiful decoration! The facade is dissected by an entablature, finished with columns of composite and Ionic orders, arches, stucco, and reliefs. The interior is rich in various forms of architraves, decorative vases and statues, and an abundance of stucco details.
The building has been rebuilt many times. At the moment, tourists and residents of St. Petersburg admire the sixth building of 1754-1762. Each owner considered it his duty to make his own changes to the layout of the interior decoration. The best architects worked on the appearance - D. Trezzini, A. P. Bryullov, V. P. Stasov.
During the Great Patriotic War the palace was damaged and reconstructed. After the revolution, it was declared the State Museum.
At the moment, you can see a rich collection of museum exhibits, paintings by famous artists, admire the interiors of imperial halls and sculptures.
Catherine's Palace Complex
The Catherine Palace is located in St. Petersburg, namely outside it in the city of Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo). Construction OrderThe summer residence was given by Catherine I in 1717. The building was planned to be recreated in the late Baroque style. Everything was controlled by the German architect I. F. Braunstein.
In 1743 Elizaveta Petrovna decided to expand and improve the palace. She entrusted this to the Russian architects A. Kvasov and M. Zemtsov. And in 1752, F. B. Rastrelli rebuilt the palace again, as the empress considered that the building had become old-fashioned. As a result of the grandiose dismantling, a modern palace appeared, which is made in the Russian baroque style. The architect makes a bold decision in the coloring of the facade. He uses sky blue, paired with white and gold.
The huge volume of the building is visible from afar. It amazes with interiors, architecture, gardens. The palace complex is ideal for luxurious weddings. In the halls, you will be blinded by sparkling gilding, an abundance of mirrors will surprise you, an amazing staircase and unimaginable wall decor will amaze you.
The palace is surrounded by a large park. It has many sculptures, various pavilions, but the main decoration is the Grotto, the Hermitage, the Lower and Upper Baths.
After the Great Patriotic War, the palace was destroyed and looted, but thanks to the great work of the restorers, much was restored.
At the moment, you can visit the following exhibition rooms: throne and picture rooms; bedchamber; white front, green and crimson dining rooms; waiter's; amber room.
Sheremetyev's residence
A plot of land located on the banks of the Fontanka River was transferred in 1721Field Marshal B. P. Sheremetyev for the construction of the estate. The Sheremetevsky Palace in St. Petersburg was built thanks to a project created by architects F. S. Argunov and S. I. Chevakinsky. The building was built in the spirit of Russian architecture. The facade was decorated with moldings, and the interior decoration was constantly changing, based on the tastes of the owners. After all, five generations have lived within these walls. Until 1917, the palace belonged to the Sheremetev family. After the revolution, the palace changed hands. In 1990, it was transferred to the Museum of Theater and Musical Art. Restoration work began immediately. The ceremonial and memorial interiors of the 19th century were recreated.
Currently, the exposition of the palace is organized in three directions:
- the history of the princely family of the Sheremetevs;
- collection of musical instruments;
- exhibition of a private collection.
Tauride Palace
Until 1781 there was a name - Horse Guards House. Catherine II renamed it Tauride. It was the country residence of G. Potemkin. The building was impressive in size and was made in the style of Russian classicism. The architect I. E. Starov was engaged in the construction.
In appearance, the palace had a simple and austere facade, behind which a rich interior was hidden. The building consists of three two-story buildings, the central one is crowned with a dome. All the ceremonial rooms are decorated with canvases, carpets, luxurious furniture, tapestries, engravings in goldframes.
At the moment, the headquarters of the CIS members is located in the palace. But concert evenings are also regularly held.
Menshikov Apartments
Located on Vasilyevsky Island. Construction began in 1710. This is one of the earliest stone structures. The Menshikov Palace appeared in St. Petersburg thanks to the great architects G. Shedel and D. Fontan.
It was built in the style of Peter the Great Baroque. The interior is decorated according to the fashion of that time. The following materials were used: carved wood, leather, painted tiles, fabrics. The front staircase is made of oak. The rooms were decorated with tiles. One of the most memorable rooms is the Walnut Cabinet. Rarities and various collections were kept there. The cabinet walls are finished in veneered walnut.
In 1727 Menshikov was exiled to Berezov. And the building was transferred to the museum of the Cadet Corps, and in 1960 restoration began.
Today, visiting Menshikov's residence, you can see the interior exposition, which is dedicated to the Peter the Great era.
Marble Palace
It is an architectural monument of early classicism. During construction, natural stone was used. Several varieties of marble (Italian, Ural, Greek and Siberian rocks) were used for façade cladding and interior decoration. The stone decoration of the palace is striking in its richness, elegance, and multicolor. The building was designed by the architect A. Rinaldi in the second half of the 18th century. Castleconsidered the first building to be faced with natural stone. It was built for the favorite of Catherine III. But, alas, G. Orlov did not wait for the completion of construction, he died. The apartments were left in the ownership of the imperial family.
Later, the Central Lenin Museum was opened here. This building deserves the attention of tourists interested in the history of old St. Petersburg and its architecture. In the halls you can see the following expositions: “Foreign Artists in Russia of the 18th-19th Centuries”, “Ludwig Museum” and so on. Since 1992, the Marble Palace has been transferred to the possession of the Russian Museum.
St. Petersburg impresses with the splendor of architecture. It is impossible to convey in words all the beauty of the artistic sophistication of the sights. If you visit the palaces of St. Petersburg, you will definitely get acquainted with the history of the building and the fate of its owners.
You must see these gems of architecture with your own eyes. The palaces of St. Petersburg are waiting for you!
