A Hidden Gem in St. Petersburg: Uncovering the Charm of the Marmont Palace

I've been exploring the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, and one of the lesser-known palaces that caught my eye is the Marmont Palace, located just a stone's throw away from the Hermitage on Dvortsovaya Embankment. It's not as popular as the main building of the Russian Museum on Arts Square, but it has its own unique charm and history.

Address: Millionnaya Street, 5/1 or Dvortsovaya Embankment, 6. You can find it easily by taking a short walk from the Hermitage.

Entrance is from Millionnaya Street, and it's pretty straightforward.

The palace was built between 1768–1785 on the orders of Empress Catherine II, who was a patron of the arts and architecture.

It was designed by Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi, who brought his unique flair to the project.

Initially, it was built for Count G.G. Orlov, but he sadly didn't live to see the completion of the project. The residence was purchased by Catherine II from Orlov's heirs and gifted to her grandson, Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich. The palace changed hands several times among the royal family's descendants, with the last owner being Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich.

It was transferred to the State Russian Museum in 1991, where it's been preserved and open to the public.

So, why is it called the Marmont Palace? The answer's in the name – the facade is clad with natural stone, granite, and marble. That's where the original name 'Marmont House' comes from, and it's a nod to the palace's elegant design.

The palace is designed in the shape of the letter 'P' and has three floors. The courtyard is open on both sides, with a wrought-iron fence closing it off from Dvortsovaya Embankment and Millionnaya Street. It's a beautiful spot to take a stroll and enjoy the surroundings.

It was built in the classicism style, which was popular during the 18th century.

As I was walking around the grounds, I noticed a monument to Alexander III. It's a great spot to take a photo and learn a bit about Russian history.

By the way, there's a mini replica of this monument in the city sculpture museum. If you take a closer look at the horse, you'll notice its tail is cut off. I think this is a fact everyone knows, but I'll mention it anyway: it was done for the emperor's safety. We all know he was a large man, and to prevent the horse from swishing its tail and throwing him off balance, they shortened it. I learned this when I visited the museum.author: Paolo Trubetskoy

Just outside the entrance, you'll see a clock that shows the exact time! It's a nice touch, and it adds to the palace's charm.

The first floor has no wall decorations, just granite red trim. It's a nice and simple design that lets the architecture speak for itself.

The second and third floors are a lot more ornate: the main facade has Corinthian columns and pink marble pilasters, and there are garlands of white marble under the third-floor windows, with gray stone window surrounds. It's a beautiful example of classic Russian architecture.

The standout feature of this palace is that the main facade faces into the courtyard. It's surprisingly clad in granite, not marble as you'd expect. I wish I could share more photos, but I've had to limit myself to just this one

Image of the palace's facade.As you enter the building, you'll notice a few things right off the bat. On the first floor, you'll find a metal detector, and to the left of the entrance, you can buy tickets to the museum. If you're visiting during the warmer months, you can also check in your coat at the coat check to the right of the entrance. There's a gift shop next to the ticket counter, and a restroom just across from the coat check.

Once you've taken care of those essentials, you can start exploring the palace's interior and exhibitions. And if you head up to the second floor, you'll find some of the original historical interiors still intact.

Let's take the grand staircase up to the second floor. As you ascend, you'll notice some beautiful baroque-style reliefs on the walls, set against a lovely blue background.

The grand staircase is a one-of-a-kind feature in Russian architecture from the 18th century. It's been preserved in its original state, with its ornate decorations still intact. The walls are clad in a variety of colorful marbles, and opposite the entrance, you'll find a marble relief of the architect A. Rinaldi. It was installed at the request of the palace's first owner, Count G. Orlov, as a tribute to Rinaldi's skill.

These sculptures on the grand staircase are the only surviving allegorical ensemble from the 18th century. The niches, adorned with marble vases, feature four marble statues representing the time of day: Night – a female figure with traditional attributes, including an owl; the work is by an unknown artist. Morning – a female figure in the form of the goddess of the dawn, Aurora, with attributes like a sun disk at her feet and a garland of roses in her hand. Noon – a female figure with attributes typical of her, including a sunbeam symbolized by an arrow and a sundial showing noon, as well as zodiac signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) that remind us of the time's unchanging nature throughout the year. Evening – a female figure in the form of the goddess of the hunt, Diana, who goes out hunting in the twilight. Her attributes include a bow and quiver full of arrows. The sculptor is Fedor Shubin.

If you take a closer look, you'll notice the interior of the palace. The floors are stunning, with intricate parquet patterns made from different types of wood. I was surprised to see green inlays in the patterns. It turns out they're not paint – they're actually wooden inserts that have been soaked in a metal solution, like copper acetate, to achieve that color. I have to admit, I've always been fascinated by parquet floors in palaces, but I've never seen anything like this before.

I've spent hours just admiring the parquet on the second floor. Each room has its own unique pattern and type of wood.

The lobby with the rotunda has a nautical theme going on. The Corinthian columns are even decorated with seashells.

And the walls are adorned with reliefs of shells, fish, and even underwater scenes with boats and anchors.

Walking into the hunting-themed room, you'll notice the carvings of hunters' trophies on the walls.

In the grand marble hall with ceilings over ten meters high, I felt like I had plenty of space to breathe. The walls are covered in marble from different quarries. You can find more information about who designed the marble hall on the display stand near the entrance.

One thing that caught my eye was the ceiling, which features a beautifully painted fresco. And around the perimeter of the room, there are plenty of mirrors in gold frames.

And around the perimeter, there are also some beautiful reliefs in circular frames, all of which are dedicated to the theme of sacrifice.

And hanging on the same wall is a painting of Catherine the Great, depicted as Minerva – a work by the artist Stefano Torelli.

I walked into a stunning white room, and I was blown away by the intricate gold decorations. The walls featured artwork by renowned artists, and the thematically designed sculptures were a sight to behold.

That's when I spotted a beautiful table, adorned with a vase, surrounded by antique chairs. I could almost hear the sound of laughter and music from the lavish parties that once took place here.

The room was filled with other antique pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries, including decorative statues, candelabras, and more.

There's also a winter garden in the Marmont Palace, but unfortunately, it's closed off to visitors. However, you can still take a peek through the doorway and admire the beautiful fountains, frescoes, and intricate decorations. You can even see the stunning half-circular panoramic windows.

The Marmont Palace has both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Some of the current exhibitions include:

The Rzhevsky Brothers' Collection of St. Petersburg Collectors showcases around 500 pieces of art – paintings, sculptures, graphics, furniture, porcelain, and interior items from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.Ludwig Museum in the Russian Museum: World Art of the 20th Century: Ideas and Directions is a painting gallery featuring works by contemporary artists from the post-war period to the early 21st century.The museum offers discounts for certain groups, and you can buy tickets at the Pushkin rate. You can purchase tickets either in person at the counter or online on their website.

Be aware that the museum is closed on Tuesdays.