Wandering around old Petersburg , it is impossible not to pay attention to the majestic ancient building towering over the Neva - today it is the Menshikov Palace Museum. Walking through the halls and corridors of the palace, you feel the history of this place physically. After all, it was here that numerous meetings took place of important persons of Peter's time, which had a profound impact on the course of the history of the Russian state.
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The history of the Menshikov (Great) Palace
The excursion to the Menshikov Palace differs from visits to similar places in St. Petersburg. There is no crowd and a huge influx of visitors, in the company of a guide or without him you can slowly enjoy the surrounding luxury and splendor of past centuries. Everything is literally permeated with the spirit of wealth and glory.
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The lands of the Vasilievsky Island, on which the palace itself is situated and a magnificent garden with numerous buildings, were granted to Prince Peter I by his trustee, the first governor of the city on the Neva, Prince Menshikov. First, in the depths of the broken garden, a wooden building was built, and later the first stone was laid in the foundation of the palace that we can see now. Over the next seventeen years, the palace building and the surrounding park ensemble were gradually erected.
The first architect who proposed and headed the construction was the Italian Francesco Fontana. But he could not live long in a difficult climate, and for health reasons had to go home. His successors in turn became famous overseas architects - ideological inspirers. All the heavy, finishing and rough work was carried out by serfs, masons and carpenters Menshikov. Their hands were built a three-story mansion, which was similar to that of the Emperor, not to mention other courtiers.
The interiors of the Menshikov Palace are as unique as its appearance. Particular attention and interest is the third residential floor. Once here were the personal chambers of the prince, and the decoration of the rooms was preserved in its original form. Eleven rooms are finished with tiles imported from Holland - such a wealth can not boast of any European palace. Iranian carpets, German walnut cabinets, Italian handmade armchairs, furniture according to the latest trends of European fashion, statues and sculptural compositions - this magnificence Menshikov surrounded himself with envy of all.
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But not for long General-Field Marshal Menshikov was destined to live in these luxurious apartments. In 1727 the prince was arrested, and all his property was transferred to the state in the possession of the Chancery. In subsequent years, the palace was handed over from hand to hand. It included both a military hospital and the residence of Pyotr Fyodorovich and his family. Until the October Revolution the palace belonged to the royal dynasty. The new owners constantly built something and altered the appearance of the building in their own way.
In Soviet times, there were state institutions - the Navy, the military hospital and the academy. After the restoration of 1976-1981, the Menshikov Palace Museum became a branch of the Hermitage. In 2002, restoration was again carried out, after which almost all rooms were open to visitors.
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Address and working hours of the palace
The museum is open for visitors from 10.30 to 18.00, but one hour before closing the ticket office stops selling tickets. Monday is a day off, and also the last Wednesday of the month is a sanitary day. The museum is located on the University embankment, you can not pass by and remain indifferent. The cost of tickets to the Menshikov Palace from 100 rubles for students, up to 250 for adult visitors. Group tour will cost 100 rubles, and individual (up to 10 people) - 800 rubles.