Palaces of St. Petersburg are the pearls of architecture. What palaces are there in St. Petersburg?

St. Petersburg is a city of palaces. From the very foundation of Peter lived in it the royal family, for which summer and winter apartments were built. These buildings have created a unique image of this city.

The article will feature 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 with their beauty and luxury of interiors. After all, each in its own way is unique and is an architectural gem of the city.

St. Michael's Palace in St. Petersburg

In 1719, on the site where the Mikhailovsky Palace is currently located, the orchard was defeated by Peter I. He stretched from the Fontanka River to the river Krivushi. In 1798, Paul I decided to build apartments for his son Mikhail. And ordered to postpone for several hundred thousand rubles each year for the construction. By 1819, a considerable amount was accumulated, but after the palace coup, Paul I was killed.

But the will of the Tsar was nevertheless fulfilled by Alexander I, who began the construction. The Mikhailovsky Palace in St. Petersburg was built thanks to the architect KI Rossi. The building was planned to be created in the form of a Russian manor, consisting of a main building and two side wings. In 1823, construction work was completed, and in 1825, finishing began. Remarkable artists, sculptors, furniture masters, stone cutters worked on the interior decoration. At the entrance to the building there is a wide staircase made of granite. It is decorated with two statues of a lion on each side. In 1895 the order of Nicholas II was signed that the palace is now the Russian Museum of the Emperor Alexander III.

At the moment, visiting the building, you will see a huge collection of Russian art, painting such famous artists as A. Rublev, K. Bryullov, F. Shubin, I. Repin, I. Shishkin, M. Vrubel, M. Chagall and many others .

Family Nest of Stroganoffs

Belonged to Count A. Stroganov. It was built in 1753 year. 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 Stroganoff family was banished from its patrimonial nest. The palace was plundered, and the richest collections were destroyed.

For many years the building was used by state institutions. And in 1990 it was given to the Russian Museum. Up to now, only the dance hall has kept its decoration.

The Mariinsky Palace

It was built on the site of the apartments of Count IG Chernyshev. The name is given in honor of Princess Mary (the daughter of Emperor Nicholas I). Construction began in 1839. During the construction, technical innovations such as metal rafters were used. Impressive interior of the palace. The architect created a suite of rooms. Inside the palace there was even a church, which was created in the spirit of Byzantine temples.

After the February Revolution, various state departments were stationed in the building for many years. Since 1994, here is the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg.

Yusupov Palace in St. Petersburg

Initially, the palace was built for Count PI Shuvalov. And then he went to the Countess A. V. Brannitskaya. After 35 years, the palace is redeemed by Prince NB Yusupov. One of the best architects and decorators worked on the creation of the masterpiece.

Located Yusupov Palace in St. Petersburg, namely on the embankment of the Moika River. The building is one of the best examples of aristocratic interior.

December 17, 1916 in the basement of the palace occurred a well-known event - the mysterious G. Rasputin was killed.

In our time, first of all - it's a museum, and then a theater, in which they give performances. In the palace, the original interiors of the XIX century, surprising in their beauty, were preserved, which are hospitably open for wedding events and other celebrations.

Winter Palace

This is the standard of true sophistication and luxury. The building is built in the Baroque style. The Winter Palace is located in St. Petersburg, namely on the bank of the Winter Grove. This creation of F. B. Rastrelli is called the heart of the northern capital.

The length of the palace is 200 meters, height - 22 meters, width - 160 meters. It is built in the form of a quadrangle. Inside is a vast courtyard. The facades are facing the river, on the Palace Square and towards the Admiralty. And how beautifully decorated the decoration! The facade is dismembered by the entablature, decorated with columns of composite and ionic warrants, arches, stucco moldings, reliefs. The interior interior is rich in various forms of platbands, decorative vases and statues, an abundance of stucco details.

The building was 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 changes in the layout of the interior. Over the image of the best architects - D. Trezzini, AP Briullov, VP Stasov.

During the Great Patriotic War the palace suffered, was reconstructed. After the revolution, it was declared the State Museum.

At the moment, you can see a rich collection of museum exhibits, paintings of famous artists, admire the interiors of the imperial halls and sculptures.

Catherine Palace Complex

Located Catherine Palace in St. Petersburg, namely outside it in the city of Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo). The order to build a summer residence was given by Catherine I in 1717. The building was planned to be recreated in the style of the late Baroque. Everything was controlled by an architect from Germany, IF Braunstein.

In 1743, Elizaveta Petrovna decided to expand and beautify the palace. It entrusted it to the Russian architects A. Kvasov and M. Zemtsov. And in 1752 FB Rastrelli rebuilt the palace again, since 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 style of Russian baroque. The architect takes a bold decision in the coloring of the facade. He uses a sky-blue color, combining it with white and gold.

The huge volume of the building is noticeable from afar. It impresses with interiors, architecture, gardens. The palace complex is ideal for holding luxurious weddings. In the halls you will be blinded by the sparkling gilding, will surprise the abundance of mirrors, amaze the amazing staircase and unimaginable decor of the walls.

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 Bath.

After the Great Patriotic War, the palace was destroyed and plundered, but thanks to the enormous work of the restorers, much has been restored.

At the moment you can visit the following exhibition rooms: throne and picture halls; The bedchamber; White ceremonial, green and raspberry canteens; Waiter's; Amber room.

Residence Sheremetyevo

The land located on the bank of the Fontanka River was transferred in 1721 to Field Marshal BP Sheremetiev for the construction of the estate. Sheremetevsky Palace in St. Petersburg was erected thanks to a project created by architects FS Argunov and SI Chevakinsky. The building was built in the spirit of Russian architecture. The facade was decorated with stucco molding, and the interior decoration changed constantly, based on the tastes of the owners. After all, five generations lived in these walls. Until 1917 the palace belonged to the Count's family of Sheremetyevs. After the revolution, the palace passed from hand to hand. In 1990 it was transferred to the Museum of Theater and Music. Immediately began the restoration work. Parade and memorial interiors of the XIX century were recreated.

Currently, the exposition of the palace is organized in three directions:

• The history of the princely family of the Sheremetyevs;
• A collection of musical instruments;
• Exhibition of a private collection.

The Tauride Palace

Until 1781 there was a name - Konnogvardeisky house. Catherine II renamed the Tavrichesky. It was the suburban residence of G. Potemkin. The building was impressive in size and was designed in the style of Russian classicism. The architect I. Ye. Starov was engaged in the construction.

The palace had a simple and strict facade, behind which there was a rich interior decoration. The building consists of three two-storey buildings, the central one is crowned with a dome. All the ceremonial rooms are decorated with paintings, carpets, luxurious furniture, tapestries, engravings in golden frames.

At the moment in the palace is the headquarters of the CIS members. But concerts are also regularly held.

Menshikov Apartments

It was located on Vasilievsky Island. The construction began in 1710. This is one of the very first stone structures. The Menshikov Palace in St. Petersburg appeared thanks to the great architects G.Shedel and D. Fontan.

It is built in the style of the Petrine Baroque. The interior is finished according to the fashion of that time. The following materials were used: carved wood, leather, painted tiles, fabrics. The main staircase is made of oak. The premises were decorated with tiles. One of their most memorable rooms is the Nut Office. There were kept rarities and various collections. The walls of the cabinet are decorated with veneered walnut.

In 1727 Menshikov was exiled to Berezov. And the building was transferred to the Museum of the Cadet Corps, and in 1960, the restoration began.

At the moment, visiting the residence Menshikov, you can see the interior exhibition, which is dedicated to the Petrine era.

The Marble Palace

It is a monument of architecture of early classicism. During construction, natural stone was used. Several types of marble (Italian, Uralic, Greek and Siberian breeds) were used for facing the facade and for finishing the interior. The stone decoration of the palace is striking in its richness, elegance, and multicolored. The building was designed by the architect A. Rinaldi in the second half of the 18th century. The palace is considered the first building, which is faced with a 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 apartment was 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 the old Peter and its architecture. In the halls you can see the following expositions: "Foreign artists in Russia XVIII-XIX centuries", "Ludwig Museum" and so on. Since 1992, the property of the Russian Museum has been transferred to the Marble Palace.

St. Petersburg impresses with the magnificence of architecture. It is impossible to convey in words all the beauty of artistic sightseeing. If you visit the palaces of St. Petersburg, then be sure to get acquainted with the history of construction and the fate of its owners.

It is necessary to see with your own eyes these pearls of architecture. Palaces of St. Petersburg are waiting for you!