Anichkov Palace

Welcome to the Anichkov Palace, the oldest imperial palace standing on the famed Nevsky Avenue. Situated at the historic intersection of Nevsky and the Fontanka River, this palace has been a silent witness to nearly three…

To understand the Anichkov Palace, one must look closely at its architectural bones. Although much of the exterior was later simplified into the Classical style we see today, the palace was originally a multi-tiered Baroque…

In 1776, Catherine the Great purchased the palace from the Razumovsky family and gifted it to her own favorite—and rumored secret husband—Prince Grigory Potemkin. Potemkin, known for his grand visions and restless energy,…

As we move toward the edge of the palace grounds facing Ostrovsky Square, we encounter two of the most beautiful examples of Russian Empire style: the Garden Pavilions designed by Carlo Rossi. Built in 1817-1818, these pavilions…

For much of the 19th century, the Anichkov Palace served as a preferred home for the heirs to the throne. However, it was Alexander III who truly made it the center of imperial life. …

The revolution of 1917 brought a dramatic end to the palace's imperial history. After a brief period as a museum of the city, the Soviet government decided in 1935 to repurpose the Anichkov as the Palace of Pioneers—the largest…

One of the most extraordinary legacies of the Soviet era within the palace are the Palekh Rooms, located on the first floor. In the 1930s, masters from the village of Palekh—famous for their exquisite lacquer miniatures—were…

As we conclude our journey through the Anichkov Palace, we find ourselves back where we started—at the intersection of Saint Petersburg's past and future. We have seen how this palace evolved from a Baroque military barracks to a…