The Mariinsky Palace is located in the center of St. Petersburg, near St. Isaac's Square and the Blue Bridge. This eclectic building is a federal cultural heritage site and serves as the meeting place for the Legislative Assembly of the city. With its unusual facade, luxurious interiors, and rich history, the palace has become one of the most interesting attractions in St. Petersburg.

History

Construction of the site began in the mid-18th century. In 1763, the land was gifted to Ivan Grigorievich Chernyshev, a field marshal, by Catherine II. He was close to the empress, held the title of count, and was not short of funds. On this site, he built a luxurious palace.

The building was designed by Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe in the style of Russian classicism with elements of baroque. After the count's death, the palace was inherited by his son, Grigory Ivanovich, who quickly squandered the inheritance. The building was sold for debts to the State Guardian Administration and was rented out for a long time.

In 1824, the palace underwent significant reconstruction when it housed the Guards Ensign School by order of Prince Nikolai Pavlovich. The facades were completely rebuilt, the layout was changed, the interior finishing and stucco were destroyed, and the wings were dismantled. The project was overseen by architect Alexander Egorovich Staubert, known for his love of classicism.

Fact:

The famous Russian poet Mikhail Yurievich Lermontov studied at this institution.

Creation of the Palace

In October 1838, the engagement of Nicholas I's daughter, Maria, to Duke Maximilian of Leuchtenberg took place. Maria refused to leave Russia and St. Petersburg. Her future husband, the grandson of Napoleon, agreed to stay in the country, converted to Orthodoxy, and became the founder of the Romanov family.

Nicholas I decided to build a palace for his daughter on the site of the Guards School, which was moved to a new building. Adjacent plots in Novy Lane were purchased for the construction of the palace. The freed area became the site for the princely house.

Construction Challenges

The plot was irregularly shaped and surrounded by dense buildings. The architects had to harmoniously fit the palace into the space without disrupting the internal layout of the residence and the appearance of the city. Initially, the project was to be entrusted to Karl Rossi, but Andrei Ivanovich Shtakenshneider was chosen instead.

Fact:

The Mariinsky Palace became the first major project for the architect. His ideas appealed to Nicholas I and earned the master numerous awards.

Shtakenshneider proposed revolutionary ideas for the redesign. The interiors were completely altered, and the grand staircase was relocated. The load-bearing structures were made of metal and brick, which strengthened the building and reduced fire hazards.

The palace received sewage, ventilation, and plumbing. Convection systems and ammonia stoves with a complex of smoke, ventilation, and heat channels were used for heating. Nicholas I approved the project. The laying of the palace took place on July 28, 1839.

Nicholas I closely monitored the construction, creating a supervisory commission with prominent architects K. Rossi and V. Stasov, who oversaw the work and sent reports to the tsar. Nicholas personally visited the construction site.

In addition to the palace, auxiliary facilities were built: kitchens, stables, laundries, sheds, and warehouses. The construction allowed the talents of graduates from the Academy of Arts to flourish, including August Lange, Lev Adamani, and Vladimir Shreiber.

Nicholas I approved changes to the project, considering the appearance and cost. For instance, sandy porticos were to be replaced with brick ones, but Shtakenshneider optimized expenses and defended his idea.

Maria's wedding took place on July 2, 1839, and the palace was presented as a gift to the young couple. Finishing works continued, and the couple had to live at another address until 1844.

Completion of Construction

On January 25, 1845, the palace was officially accepted by the commission and consecrated. After the celebrations, the building was opened for public visits, showcasing its unique finishing and modern communications. The palace was named in honor of Maria.

Work on the landscaping and interiors continued. By 1850, the palace had acquired a house church, for which the iconostasis was created by Italian artist Kozroe Druzi. In 1858, wall paintings were added, worked on by Prince Grigory Gagarin.

Fact:

There is not only one Mariinsky Palace in Russia. A palace with the same name is located in the center of Kyiv.

The winter garden with an 8-meter fountain, tropical plants, and exotic birds became a decoration of the palace. Modern heating allowed for the cultivation of palm trees.

The new owners of the palace valued art. Thanks to the couple, a collection of paintings by Giovanni Bellini, Raphael, Anthony van Dyck, and other masters was gathered, brought from Munich. Later, the collection was supplemented with works by Russian artists: Aivazovsky, Bryullov, Neff. The gallery numbered around 300 paintings and became one of the world's collections. The palace housed a unique library with over 5000 volumes, as well as geological and numismatic collections of the duke.

Balls, concerts, and performances of the home theater were held here. Professional singers and musicians, as well as amateurs, were invited to perform. Among the guests were Pyotr Vyazemsky and Vladimir Odoyevsky.

Maria lived in the palace until her husband's death in 1852. In 1853, she entered into a morganatic marriage with Grigory Stroganov. The family disapproved of the choice, but after Nicholas I's death, the union was recognized. To escape gossip, the family spent much time abroad. Maria rarely visited St. Petersburg.

The Palace's Second Life

After the owner's death, the palace was sold to the treasury so that the heirs could settle debts. The building was valued at 3 million rubles. In 1884, Alexander III signed a decree transferring the palace to serve as the residence of the State Council and the State Chancellery. A redesign was required.

The redesign project was handled by Ludwig Ludwigovich Peterson, the author of Alexander III's hunting lodge, the Narva Spinning Factory premises, and several mansions in St. Petersburg.

The task was to preserve the finishing of the premises while reconfiguring them for the needs of the council. The dance hall became the cabinet of ministers, the dining room and living room were allocated to departments. The library was converted into a reception room, and the lower floors were given to the Chancellery.

At the same time, repairs to the building were necessary: restoration of the roof, access roads, and restoration of the interior decoration. The heating system was replaced with a water-based one, and the sewage, water supply, and facades were repaired.

In 1893, electricity was installed. However, the redesign project was rejected, and separate buildings were constructed.

The modified project by L. Benois and M. Peretyatkovich was approved in 1907. On July 21, the laying of the new building took place. As with the initial construction, modern communications were installed. The updated ventilation filtered, heated, and humidified the air. The winter garden and fountain were dismantled. The first meeting of the council took place in 1908.

Revolution and Soviet Period

The palace was used for meetings until the 1917 revolution. It was then occupied by the temporary government, and in November, the building was transferred to the Council of People's Commissars and the Supreme Council of National Economy. After the Bolshevik government moved to Moscow, the palace housed barracks.

From the 1920s, the premises changed hands from one department to another. At different times, it housed the "House of Printing," "Transbalt," "Sevzapvod," and a dormitory. In 1929, a branch of the Promacademy opened. The church was destroyed, the paintings were painted over, and the iconostasis was destroyed. Later, a cinema of the Leningrad Council Executive Committee was located here.

During the war, the palace housed a hospital. Soldiers were trained as machine gunners, mortarmen, and underwent combat training.

During the blockade, the palace suffered from bombings. The facades and interior rooms were damaged. In 1943, a high-explosive shell pierced the glass roof of the Grand Hall. The finishing and communications were damaged by fire. In 1945, the Leningrad City Council occupied the palace, and the premises were reconstructed.

Restoration took place from 1960 to 1970. The interiors were partially recreated, including the church and paintings. The temple was restored by 1988, and services resumed in 1990.

The palace played a role in the events of the August coup in 1991. Members of the State Committee for the State of Emergency were located here, and barricades were erected. After their arrest, the palace belonged to the Petrograd Council until 1993. In 1994, the first meeting of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg took place.

Since 2010, restoration work has resumed in the palace. Today, the Mariinsky is fully restored and serves as the meeting place for the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, remaining connected to the political life of the city.

Architecture of the Palace

Visitors notice the asymmetrical shape of the building. Due to the complex plot, the left wing is longer than the right, which is angled to Voskresensky Avenue.

The facade is executed in the style of classicism with elements of baroque and is adorned with sculptural compositions. The uniqueness of the first floor's decoration lies in the use of rough stones. Today, rustication is common, but in the 18th century, Shtakenshneider was the first in Russia to propose such a cladding method.

Interior Decoration

Significant funds were spent on the decoration of the halls and auxiliary premises. Famous European architects and artists were invited for the work, including Antonio Vigi, Fyodor Klages, and David Jensen.

Marble and valuable wood species were used in the decoration. Furniture was custom-made by the best craftsmen, including N. Tarasov. The architect aimed to make each room unique.

Grand Vestibule

The first hall of the palace is decorated with columns of pink marble and huge bronze candelabra. In 2007, a bust of Maria Nikolaevna was installed. Next is the Grand Staircase with antique statues.

Rotunda Hall

A round two-tier hall, the center of the architectural composition. The ceiling height is almost 17 m. Above is a glass dome, illuminated by a massive lantern. The rotunda is adorned with sculptures and stucco, griffin statues, parquet flooring, and rosewood doors decorated with ivory and mother-of-pearl. Destroyed in the blockade fire, they were recreated by restorers. The room is executed in the spirit of Ancient Greece.

New Year's performances and concerts are held here. It is one of the best venues in the city. The spacious room provides excellent acoustics and allows for audience seating. Meetings of the State Council were held here, as reflected in Repin's painting.

Restorations allowed for the restoration of the original appearance of the Rotunda.

Pompeian Hall

Italian style, inspired by the frescoes of the Vatican. Shtakenshneider spent time excavating Pompeii and was struck by the skill of ancient artists. The hall was called the Dark Hall, as it has no windows, and the walls are adorned with frescoes. The ceiling is decorated with stucco and gilding.

Oval Cabinet

The windows overlook the inner courtyard and the avenue. A balcony has been added to it. A ramp leads to it, allowing wheelchair access. Maria suffered from joint pain, making it difficult to climb stairs. The emperor ordered a spiral staircase to be built without steps.

The balcony greenhouse stretches along the facade to the Winter Garden. The vaults are covered with frescoes, and crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling. A stove styled as a fireplace and decorated with a marble panel has been preserved.

Blue Drawing Room

One of the largest rooms, divided by curtains. Along the windows are fireplaces adorned with mosaics. Part served as a living room, while the other served as the hostess's study. Today, there are showcases with gifts to the city from foreign delegations.

Red Hall

From the Grand Staircase, one can access the bel étage, where the duke's reception room was located. The room is decorated with red marble, gilded stucco, and sculptures. The hall is adorned with white marble fireplaces. The windows offer a view of St. Isaac's Cathedral and the monument to Nicholas I.

Meetings of deputies with foreign delegations are currently held here.

White Hall

Its decoration features frescoes by Antonio Vigi. The lighting consists of massive chandeliers, and the ceiling is adorned with stucco. It housed a collection of paintings, and today conferences and hearings are held here.

Pompeian Gallery

It connects the White and Blue meeting halls, the former library of the duke. It was conceived as a connecting corridor, so the decoration is not as luxurious. The walls are adorned with ornaments and frescoes. During Maria's time, paintings by Raphael, Rembrandt, and Titian hung on the walls.

Palace Church

Initially, the decor was modest, with frescoes and a pine iconostasis. Later, it was replaced with a marble one. The walls were covered with frescoes on the themes of the Old and New Testaments. The decor was lost, but the church was restored in 1980-88. The frescoes were restored by 2018, and the dome with the cross was recreated.

Services are held here by clergy from Kazan Cathedral. A schedule is in place.

Information Center

On the first floor, there is an exhibition dedicated to the history of the palace and the Legislative Assembly. Here are art objects, books, awards, and personal items related to the Mariinsky. A model of the palace is installed, allowing visitors to appreciate the layout and asymmetry of the facade.

Grand Meeting Hall

In 1907-1908, a meeting hall for the State Council was built on the site of the Winter Garden according to the design of Leonty Benois. The dome was replaced with double-glazed windows, and electric drives were installed to regulate the light.

Since 1994, meetings have been held here, and the governor speaks.

Tourist Gem

Today, the Mariinsky serves as the meeting place for the Legislative Assembly. Group tours are conducted by appointment. Individuals can submit requests for visits. Virtual tours are available on the official website.