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Historian and guide in St. Petersburg, Peterhof, Tsarskoye Selo and Vyborg.
Did you know that in the very heart of Petersburg stands a building made of 32 types of marble? The Marble Palace is a "modest" gift for one of Catherine II's main favorites, with no analogues anywhere in Russia.
History of the Marble Palace
It all began when Empress Catherine II decided to thank her favorite Grigory Orlov. They say she admired his courage and the effort he put into helping his beloved take the throne so much that the empress planned to decorate the facade with a gilded inscription 'Building of Gratitude'.
In turn, Orlov presented the sovereign with a return gift – a huge diamond 'Orlov', which today adorns the scepter of the Russian Empire and was almost equal in value to the palace itself.
The Konstantin Holdings
It is surprising that the fate of the Marble Palace turned out to be inextricably linked with the name Konstantin: for more than a hundred years, all its owners from the imperial family were exclusively namesakes. It all started with the grandson of Catherine II, Konstantin Pavlovich; continued under Konstantin Nikolaevich, who turned the palace into the main family residence. The last owner was the famous Silver Age poet Konstantin Konstantinovich.
Uniqueness of the architecture: 32 shades of marble
Did you know that this is the first building in St. Petersburg to be entirely faced with natural stone? During construction, 32 types of marble were used, delivered from Europe, the Urals, Siberia, and Transbaikalia. The lower floor of the palace is faced with granite, the upper ones – with delicate pink and bluish-gray stone.
The palace is built in the shape of the letter 'P', forming a cozy inner courtyard where there is a monument to Emperor Alexander III. An interesting fact is that in Soviet years, an Austin-Putilovets armored car stood here, installed in memory of V. I. Lenin's speech in 1917. In 1994, the armored car was transferred to the Artillery Museum, and its place was again taken by Alexander III.
Interiors of the Marble Palace
Inside it is so beautiful that it takes your breath away! More attention should be paid to the following locations:
The Main Staircase. It is decorated with allegorical statues 'Night', 'Morning', 'Day', and 'Evening' by F. I. Shubin, and on the ceiling there is a painted ceiling panel 'The Judgment of Paris'. There, by the way, the architect's 'autograph' is hidden – a bas-relief with the profile of Rinaldi himself.
The Marble (Orlov) Hall. A separate masterpiece! Seven types of marble, lapis lazuli, gold, and a huge ceiling panel 'The Wedding of Cupid and Psyche'. The subject hinted at the high feelings of the empress and her favorite Orlov.
The White Hall. Originally created for playing ball by order of Count Orlov. Its main architectural value is considered to be the authentic fireplace from the 18th century, which stands out against the background of exquisite white stucco.
The Marble Palace today
Since 1992, the Marble Palace has become a branch of the State Russian Museum and now delights visitors with unique exhibitions of world art. Its halls house permanent expositions, such as the Ludwig Museum with works by Picasso and Warhol, as well as a collection of paintings by the Rzhevsky brothers.
The Marble Palace is a living example of gratitude and the bright love of Catherine II for Orlov. You can come here alone or with your significant other, because romance permeates the walls of the palace, and marble of various shades emphasizes the lightness and sincerity of the empress's feelings for her main favorite.
The Marble Palace: answering questions
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How many floors are there in the Marble Palace?
The building has three floors. On the first floor there are service rooms and a cloakroom, on the second – ceremonial halls, on the third temporary exhibitions are usually located. -
Marble Palace opening hours
The palace is open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, on Thursday – from 13:00 to 21:00 (according to the current rules of the Russian Museum), and Tuesday is a day off. Ticket offices close half an hour to an hour earlier. -
Where is the Marble Palace located?
Millionnaya St., 5/1. The building is located in the city center, between the Palace Embankment, Millionnaya Street, and Marble Lane, near Suvorov Square and Trinity Bridge -
What exhibitions are there in the Marble Palace?
The halls host permanent exhibitions: the "Ludwig Museum" (20th-century art, including Picasso and Warhol), the "Collection of the Rzhevsky Brothers" (Russian painting of the 19th–20th centuries), "Foreign Artists in Russia," as well as a memorial exhibition dedicated to the poet K. R. -
What style is the Marble Palace?
Architectural style: The palace is a masterpiece of early Catherine's classicism. It is a building unique to Russia, with facades entirely faced with natural stone
Excursion to the Marble Palace
Reading stories connected with the Marble Palace is undoubtedly interesting and exciting, but it's even better to come here and see with your own eyes the interiors of the "love nest," for which Catherine II herself drew the sketches.
Leningrad Tour will provide you with a fascinating excursion to the Marble Palace. The tour also includes a visit to St. Isaac's Square, the Smolny Cathedral, and the Egyptian Sphinxes. By the way, entrance tickets to the Marble Palace are already included!
Excursion to the Marble Palace
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