One of the most interesting and beautiful buildings, built in the eighteenth century in St. Petersburg , is the Marble Palace. Its singularity consists in the fact that more than thirty different varieties of marble were used for construction and finishing. Some of them were mined nearby, and some were brought from Italy. The palace became the first building of St. Petersburg, which was built of similar materials.
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History of the Marble Palace in St. Petersburg
Such an expensive and unusual gift was received by Count Grigory Orlov from Empress Catherine the Great for her military service to the fatherland. Construction lasted 17 years, and the owner of the palace did not live to its end. After his death, the Empress bought her gift from Orlov's heirs and gave it to her grandson. After that, St. Petersburg witnessed many masters in the Marble Palace - the building passed from hand to hand. At different times here lived representatives of the imperial family and there were art galleries and libraries. At one time, the Polish leader of the Confederates was held captive here, after which he was released.
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The interior of the palace amazes with its wealth and splendor. Everywhere, in all the details of the interior, there is a tendency to give these rooms a spirit of courage and courage. And the truth, according to the Empress's plan, the Marble Palace was supposed to personify the courage, strength and masculinity of its master. Various statues and bas-reliefs recreate the heroic events from the life of Orlov.
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At the construction of the palace were involved more than four hundred people, led by the Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi. The Empress personally visited the building, and the workers who showed great zeal for work were personally rewarded by the Empress. Unfortunately, he could not wait for the completion of the construction and the chief architect - during the construction work he fell from the heights and was seriously injured, after which he was unable to work and was forced to return to his homeland.
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The first floor of the palace is decorated with gray marble, and the top two - pink. The inner halls are also lined with this natural material. One of the halls, as well as the palace, is called "Marble".
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In 1832 the building was partially rebuilt, one more floor was added to it, as well as a ballroom. Famous evenings and balls were celebrated all over Petersburg.
After the death of Grand Duke Nikolai Konstantinovich, the Marble Palace passed into the possession of his son Konstantin Romanovich Romanov. During the time of this great cultural figure, literary evenings and productions of the plays were held here. Konstantin Konstantinovich shared the apartment with his brother Dmitry Konstantinovich.
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During the revolution of the seventeenth year, the Palace was occupied by the Ministry of Labor of the Provisional Government. Subsequently, the Soviet government exported all the artistic treasures to the Hermitage, and various offices were located in the palace.
Address and opening hours of the Marble Palace in St. Petersburg
Currently, the reconstruction of the palace continues, but despite this, he continues to receive visitors. Now in the Marble Palace in St. Petersburg are various exhibitions. At this time there is a branch of the Russian Museum. This is the only permanent exhibition in Russia of the art of the twentieth century. In addition, exhibitions of contemporary Russian and foreign artists are regularly held here.
In order to visit the Marble Palace, you need to get to Milionnaya street 5/1. For visitors, the museum is open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from ten in the morning until six in the evening. On Thursday, visits are from one hour to nine. Tuesday is a day off. Visits are paid. Discounts are available for the whole family.
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