Mikhailovsky Palace / State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

Mikhailovsky Palace / State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg (must see)

Built for the Grand Duke Mikhail, son of Emperor Paul I, the impressive Mikhailovsky Palace features a Neoclassical design. The architect and builder was Carlo Rossi who had created many of St. Petersburg’s marvels. The palace has been a part of the State Russian Museum since 1895.

In the 18th and 19th century, the palace was the site of many musical performances. Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, wife of Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, was known to be beloved by the people and to have a strong love of the arts.

Each room of the palace is a work of art. Gilt accents, Corinthian columns, stunning sculptures, and vibrant paintings decorate the palace. In addition, visitors are greeted by a magnificent lion sculpture before entering the front doors. Of equal beauty is the adjacent Mikhailovsky Garden.

Exhibits at the palace include sculptures, objects of art, drawings, and paintings from the 18th to 20th centuries. To truly enjoy the artwork of artists such as Aivazovsky, Vasnetsov, Kuingi, Trubetskoy, and Rokotov, it is recommended to use the services of a tour guide. No photography or videography is allowed.

Why You Should Visit:
Unlike the Hermitage, there is virtually no line to get into this amazing museum.
A very good introduction to the history of Russian art, from folk to avant-garde.
The complex also includes the Mikhailovsky Gardens, Engineering Gardens, Summer Garden (including the Summer Palace) and the House of Peter the Great.

Tip:
Audio guide – minimum must have, but better – take a personal museum assistant.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in St. Petersburg. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Mikhailovsky Palace / State Russian Museum on Map

Sight Name: Mikhailovsky Palace / State Russian Museum
Sight Location: St. Petersburg, Russia (See walking tours in St. Petersburg)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in St. Petersburg, Russia

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