The Mariinsky Palace was built in 1839 -1844. The site of the modern Palace ensemble was previously occupied by the former Palace of count Chernyshev. In the end, Stackensteineider, who was responsible for the design and implementation of the Mariinsky Palace, decided not to destroy it to the ground – many of the walls remained in the same form, which also left a certain imprint on the appearance of the Palace.
The Palace was supposed to be a wedding gift for the favorite daughter of Emperor Nicholas I. However, the situation was not entirely in favor of the groom – after the wedding itself, the Grand Duchess announced that she did not intend to leave St. Petersburg.
Later history closely connected the Mariinsky Palace with the political side of Russian life – in its halls were numerous departments and ministries, on whose work depended the future prosperity of Russia. From 1994 to the present day, this Palace is the meeting place of the city Parliament — the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg.
The Palace has always impressed and continues to surprise us with its interior decoration. It was designed in the style of an Italian Palazzo. The main entrance hall was decorated with columns of pink Finnish marble, and the fireplace — green Siberian marble. Now in the vestibule there is a bust of Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna.
An interesting fact is that the blue bridge connected the Palace with St. Isaac’s Square. Nicholas I ordered to expand the bridge to the size of the facade of the Palace, and now the bridge forms a single whole with the square. Its width is almost 100 m. This is the widest bridge in St. Petersburg.
Author: Govorunova Elizabeth, Devyatkina Elizabeth, Panova Ksenia
Location : St.Petersburg
Visit the grand locations Mariinsky Palace and many more that St Petersburg has to offer!
Contact us@ Russian InfoCenter to Book Classic Russia tour 5n/6d and more tour packages from India to Russia
Choose from flights ex Delhi, Mumbai & Calcutta
Fill the form below and we’ll get back to you right away!