Mikhailovsky Castle in St. Petersburg is considered the main architectural monument of the 18th century and the only palace ensemble in Russia in the style of romantic classicism. It was built on the orders of Emperor Paul I, who during his short reign displayed unusual tastes and a desire to surpass his predecessors in decorating the city.

The idea of constructing a large castle in the center of Petersburg had long been conceived by Paul I, and the location was chosen not by chance, on the site of the wooden summer palace of his grandmother Elizabeth Petrovna. The order to demolish this palace was signed in 1797, and the design was carried out by two architects: Vasily Bazhenov, known for the Tsaritsyno ensemble, and Vincenzo Brenna, who had previously worked on the interiors of the Winter Palace.

Construction began at an accelerated pace, as the emperor set a deadline of one year. About 6,000 workers were involved in the construction, and work was carried out around the clock under the light of lamps and torches. The use of marble from other construction sites, such as St. Isaac's Cathedral and Tsarskoye Selo, helped speed up the process, but even this did not allow the project to be completed by 1800.

The housewarming in the castle was short-lived: 40 days after the ceremonial entry, Paul was murdered by conspirators in his bedroom, and hard times fell upon Mikhailovsky Castle. First, the closest relatives and court families of the Romanovs left, followed by the numerous servants. Only the cavalry guards remained in the castle, tasked with protecting the vacant buildings from looting.

Ironically, the main destroyers were the descendants of the murdered emperor. Alexander I ordered the silver gates to be melted down for a service for his sister Anna, and Nicholas I ordered part of the buildings to be dismantled for the use of stone in the construction of the New Hermitage. Only in 1856, in memory of Paul, was his bedroom converted into a chapel for the engineering school.

During the Soviet era, the educational institution continued to operate, and during the Great Patriotic War and the blockade, a hospital was located here. Since the 1960s, most of the premises were transferred to research institutes, and access for excursions was closed. The transfer of the castle to the Russian Museum began in 1991 and was completed in 2003, when the restoration was fully finished.