Yusupov Palace in St. Petersburg
Yusupov Palace on the Moika River, built in the 18th century for the Counts Shuvalovs, was bought by Nikolai Borisovich’s wife Tatiana Vasilyevna Yusupova, one of the five favorite nieces of the all-powerful Count Grigory Potemkin. Thus, since 1830 the palace belonged to the noblest and richest family of Princes Yusupovs.
General information
Originally built according to the design of Vallen-Delamotte and later rebuilt by architects Mikhailov, Monighetti, Stepanov and others, it has preserved to this day many of its luxurious interiors. The theater hall of the palace was especially famous for its splendor and elegance. In the Yusupovs’ palace there was also a rich collection of first-class paintings, sculptures and other art objects.
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“A sample of bar life in its ultimate, almost regal splendor-” called the grandiose ensemble of the Yusupov Palace Alexander Benois. “Not my pen to describe in detail all the luxury, wealth and wonders of fine art, which consisted then and still concludes all the famous house of Yusupov,” – wrote the daughter of the president of the Academy of Arts Maria Kamenskaya.
.One of the most mysterious pages in Russian history is connected with this palace. In its basement on the night of 16 to 1 7 December 1916, Prince Felix Yusupov and his accomplices (Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, monarchist Purishkevich, officer Sukhotin and doctor Lazovert), in an effort to save the honor of the throne, decided to kill the favorite of the royal family Grigory Rasputin. The owner of the house offered the guest wine and cakes poisoned with potassium cyanide, which, for some unknown reason, did not work. Then Yusupov had to shoot Rasputin with a pistol, but the wounded elder and then managed to survive and get out of the basement on the street, where he still dostrelili, and then threw the corpse into the water from the Petrovsky Bridge. Nevertheless, when an autopsy was performed, it turned out that Rasputin had water in his lungs. This proved that when the Tsar’s favorite drowned, he was still alive. Gradually, the story of the murder acquired a mass of mystical and mysterious details and is still of great interest to visitors to the museum.
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During the Soviet era, most of the Yusupovs’ extensive art collection was transferred to the Hermitage or sold abroad, and the building itself became the Palace of Culture of Education Workers. Nowadays the palace also works as a museum, where, accompanied by a guide, you can admire the preserved magnificent state rooms and living rooms, as well as go down to the famous basement, where dramatic events related to the murder of Rasputin are recreated with the help of wax figures. Especially impressive are the marble grand staircase, the luxurious dance hall and the simply mind-blowing Moorish Drawing Room. In the evening you can come to a musical performance in the palace theater or to a classical music concert held in one of its halls.
.Visitors
- Nab. r. Moika, 94. Metro “Sadovaya”, “Sennaya Ploshchad”, “Gostiny Dvor”, “Admiralteyskaya”. Entrance and ticket office from Dekabristov Street, 21 .
- Tel. 314-98-83
- Open daily 11.00 to 18.00, ticket offices work from 10.30 to 17.00. .
- Visiting all expositions of the palace is carried out only accompanied by a guide, or with an audio guide (deposit – 1000 p.) .
- Sightseeing tours of the state rooms and living quarters are held daily at sessions. Duration – 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cost – 450 p., preferential – 300 p. .
- Tour of the exhibition “The Murder of Grigory Rasputin” is held daily from 17:00 to 18:30. The cost – 350 p., preferential – 250 p. .
- Thematic excursions “On the princely living quarters”, “The last owners of the Yusupov Palace”, “Excursion with musical miniature” and a comprehensive tour (all interiors and expositions of the palace) are held on a separate schedule from October to April. .
