Sightseeing

YUSUPOV PALACE One of the most beautiful examples of classicism style - the refined yellow and white edifice adorned with a six-column Tuscan portico - the Yusupov Palace situated on the bank of the Moika River is one of the most sumptuous non-imperial palaces in St.Petersburg, that belonged the unabashedly rich and powerful Yusupov family and became notorious as the site of Grigory Rasputin’s - one of the most scandalous figures in Russian history – death. One of the 57 edifices in Russia owned by the Yusupovs that was considered to be as wealthy as the Tsar’s family, this palace originally belonged to General-Field-Marshal, Count Peter Shuvalov, brother of Empress Elisabeth’s favourite; in 1760s the mansion was completely reconstructed and extended to the design of the architect J.-B. Vallen de la Mothe, who decorated the central part of the facade by monumental Doric portico, joined two lower floors and designed the middle part of the third floor as an attic thus creating a building of Classicism style. When in 1830 the palace became the property of Prince Yusupov, architect A.A.Mikhailov was commissioned to constrcuct the outhouse along the borderline of the embankment and to rebuild the gala rooms' suite of the palace. In 1858-59 the architect Hyppolito Monighetti introduced new alterations; and later on architects A.P.Vaitens, A. Stepanov and A.J.Beloborodov and others participated in the palace interiors planning. As a result, the palace interiors are accomplished in various styles: the Home Theatre (Russian Baroque style) is richly adorned by golden modeling with painted shades stands out; some of the rooms of the first floor were decorated in Neo-Classicism style; a number of drawing rooms, including Turkish study, were stylized in the spirit of Oriental art. This exquisite Palace, featuring a stunning stair case (an entire Italian palazzo was purchased by the Yusupovs, who spared no expense on the décor, just to use the marble staircase at the main entrance), exemplifies the incredible wealth of the Yusupovs, who were also known as the great collectors of art - works by Rembrandt and Rubens, French tapestries and porcelain, Venetian mirrors and wood carvings adorned (after the Revolution, most of the collection was moved to the Hermitage) every room and corridor of the palace. No wonder, the Yusupov palace became a the venue for receptions attended by the imperial family, foreign diplomats and such outstanding cultural figures as Liszt and Chaliapin. Astounding and splendid balls were held here, while small private theatre - the palace's real gem - witnessed brilliant performances by Franz Liszt, Alexander Dargomyzhsky, Fyodor Chaliapin, and Anna Pavlova. But the Yusupov Palace became famous not only as a majestic edifice and the center of high society life in the St. Petersburg - it is here that Grigory Rasputin, favourite of Nicolas II, Russia's last tsar, was murdered. The randy mystic from Siberia, who arrived in St.Petersburg in 1911, within a few years had become one of the most influential men in government circles that obviously was the source of distraught and tremendous envy among political figures. And on 17 December 1916 the last owner of the palace, Prince Felix Yusupov, Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, Vladimir Purishkevich (a deputy of the State Duma) and two other conspirators murdered Grigory Rasputin in order to save the Russian throne from his influence. Open daily 12.00 - 16.00 Address: Moika River embankment, 94 Phone: 314-98-83, 314-88-93. Metro: Gostiny Dvor

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