Yusupov Palace on the Moika in St. Petersburg

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

The phrase "Yusupov's palace" needs to be specified. This noble and we althy family had many palaces in different parts of the Russian Empire. For example, the house on the Moika was owned by five generations of the Yusupovs. This building fully reflected the financial situation of the family. Behind a clear, harmonious facade, which does not allow one to tell about the true size of the palace, the luxurious splendor of its interior decoration is hidden.

About the Palace

Yusupov Palace is an invaluable object for tourism. Tours of St. Petersburg often include a visit to this building. The most famous urban storylines found themselves in it: the luxurious life of the Russian aristocratic society and the famous murder of Rasputin. Unfortunately, the legendary event has canceled the grand history of the palace for many.

Historical background

The Palace on the Moika passed into the possession of the Yusupovs in 1830, having changed several owners before that. At the beginning of the 18th century, the estate of the niece of Peter I was located nearby, then it belonged to Count Shuvalov. Shuvalov built the first baroque palace. The count's son sold this house and built another building nearby, created in the style of classicism, which becameprototype of the modern Yusupov Palace. The triumphal arch of the main entrance and a high fence with columns have survived from this building to this day.

During the reign of Catherine II, the palace on the Moika was transferred to the treasury, and in 1795 the queen gave it as a gift to her lady-in-waiting, Alexandra Branitskaya. After 35 years, the estate was bought by Branitskaya's nephew, Prince Boris Nikolaevich Yusupov. Since the material resources of the Yusupov family were limitless, the palace soon became the prototype of fabulous luxury and exquisite beauty.

With a huge scale, the Yusupovs began to transform the palace. The architect Andrei Mikhailov did not change the central facade, but made side rhizoliths more per floor, erected a three-story building in the east of the estate, combined the outbuildings, where the art gallery and the home theater were located. A garden was built, garden pavilions and greenhouses were built. There was a front staircase from the side of the river, leading to the front chambers. The interiors were designed by the best decorators of the time.

After the death of the first owner, the palace was reconstructed again.

The palace underwent another redevelopment by the end of the 19th century. It was equipped with the necessary achievements of those times - sewerage, water supply, steam heating, electric lighting. The last modifications were made in 1914: the chambers on the 1st floor were renovated before the wedding of Prince Felix and Grand Duchess Irina Alexandrovna.

After the revolutionary period inThe Yusupov Palace for a short time housed an exhibition dedicated to the murder of Rasputin, and the Museum of Noble Life. Then the building was handed over to Leningrad educators. Thanks to this, the Yusupov Palace on the Moika was able to avoid ruin. During the blockade, there was a hospital in the palace. In 1960, the Yusupov Palace on the Moika became a recognized historical and cultural monument of federal significance.

Our time

The restored halls of the palace are open for excursion programs, and here you can also rent a room for corporate parties, balls, weddings and other events. The theater hosts performances and concerts.

Educational activities are also theatrical: actors show scenes from social life. The most popular is the exhibition "The Murder of Rasputin", made in a cramped basement, where everything happened. For some visitors and guests, the effect of a real presence is created: wax figures of participants in events and photographs enhance the action.

Yusupov Palace: how to get there?

The building is located in the city center. The Yusupov Palace (address) is located on the Moika embankment at 94. You can get to this historical monument both on foot, having reached the nearest metro stations, and using land transport.

Interesting facts

• The palace at one time was widely known to the high society of St. Petersburg, it constantly hosted balls and social receptions that amazed guests with luxury and we alth.
• The Yusupov Palace on the Moika was one of 57 buildingswhich belonged to this family in Russia. In St. Petersburg, the princely family had 4 palaces.
• Performances famous throughout the city were staged in the palace theater, the debut first act of Glinka's opera, A Life for the Tsar, was performed there.
• Yusupov Palace on the Moika is included in the Unified State Register of Cultural Heritage of Russia.

Conclusion

The Yusupov Palace on the Moika is truly a masterpiece of architecture of its time, beautiful both outside and inside. This cultural monument still delights all its guests. Having been in St. Petersburg, you should definitely visit this place. Excursions around St. Petersburg offer a rich program, including a visit to the Yusupov Palace.