The Marble Palace, built in the late 18th century, is located in St. Petersburg on Palace Embankment, near the Winter Palace and the Summer Garden. Its construction was commissioned by Catherine II, and the building was designed by the famous Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi. According to urban legends, the empress also participated in creating the palace's sketch.

The Marble Palace is situated on Admiralty Island, between Millionnaya Street, Palace Embankment, Suvorov Square, and Marble Lane. Previously, there was a Post Yard built in 1706 and reconstructed in 1714-1716 by architect Domenico Trezzini. Subsequently, in 1731, according to his design, a guardhouse and stables were built on the site of the Post Yard, but in 1737 a fire destroyed these buildings.

The Marble Palace was intended for Catherine the Great's favorite, Count Grigory Orlov, as a token of gratitude for his involvement in the events of 1762. However, the construction took 16 years, and Orlov never saw it completed. After his breakup with Catherine, he married Ekaterina Nikolaevna Zinovieva, but soon lost her due to illness.

After Orlov's death, the palace was purchased by Catherine II and passed to her grandson, Konstantin Pavlovich. However, his family life did not work out, and the palace remained empty. Later, the building passed to Konstantin Nikolaevich, who renovated it for his family. However, his son Nikolai Konstantinovich lost his inheritance due to a scandal.

The last owner of the palace was Konstantin Konstantinovich, a renowned poet and translator. After his death in 1915, the palace was sold to the state. During the Soviet era, it housed the State Academy of the History of Material Culture and a branch of the Central Museum of V.I. Lenin. Many interior elements were lost, but the grand staircase and the Marble Hall have been preserved.

The Marble Palace is unique for its early Neoclassical style and natural stone cladding. The building's facades have remained almost in their original form. The decoration used 32 types of marble, granite, and agates. A monument to Alexander III is installed in the courtyard.

Since 1992, the Marble Palace has been part of the State Russian Museum. It features permanent exhibitions dedicated to world art of the 20th century and poet Konstantin Romanov. Contemporary artists' exhibitions are also held here.