The Menshikov Palace on Vasilevsky Island is the first monumental stone building in Saint Petersburg. It was constructed for prince Menshikov, the closest associate of Peter the Great.
Born to non-aristocratic parents Alexander Danilovitch Menshikov in 1686 became the batman of Peter I. Since 1697 he became the closest pal of Peter I, accompanying the tsar in all his journeys. Due to Menshikov's devotion and diligence, outstanding military and administrative talent he acquired a great influence at court and got a prince title. In 1703 Peter the Great bestowed the governorship of Saint Petersburg upon Menshikov. In May 1710 after the five-years absence Menshikov returned to Saint Petersburg as the legendary hero of Baltic battles and took engaged with the construction of his official residence on Vasilevsky Island, that had been granted to him by Peter the Great.
The construction of the palace was started in 1710 according to the project of architect Giovanni Mario Fontana and finished in 1721 by architect Johann Gottfried Schadel. The architecture of the palace corresponded to the style of Petrine baroque. Originally, the palace consisted of the main building facing the Neva - the main prospect of those times, and several outbuildings, bounding the inner yard. On the adjacent territory a regular park was laid out. It was adorned with numerous sculptures, elegant fountains, dark grottos and several greenhouses with exotic plants. In front of the palace there was a wharf for small ships could tie up right at the front access door.
The palace looked impressive: its main facade was decorated with three tiers of pilasters and carved stone capitals. The central part of the palace was crowned with the attic with sculptures, sides - with elegant pediments adorned with prince's crowns. The palace's architecture is a combination of different styles: strict symmetrical planning and the spacious entrance hall with arcades, that reminds of a palazzo, are associated with Italy and the cobalt painted tiles are the typical elements of Dutch style.
The interior decoration used gold, silver, marble, rare types of wood, monumental decorative painting and molding, antique and contemporary Italian sculptures, Dutch cobalt painted tiles, Russian stove tiles, textiles and woolen tapestries, rock crystal chandeliers and large Venetian mirrors. The furniture was luxurious: chairs and sofas with prince's court of arm, tables on the gilded legs. The palace housed outstanding collections of paintings, sculpture, works of applied art, books, coins and medals.
Unlike Peter the Great who preferred modest life, Menshikov lived in opulence. His splendid palace was the biggest and the most luxurious building in Saint Petersburg in Petrine period. It surpassed even the royal residence. That's why before Peterhoff was built, the official functions, famous Peter's "assemblies" and parties were held at the Menshikov Palace.
The palace was so richly decorated that it was rumored that the mansion had been built from stolen materials and at public expense. And as though Peter the Great, having heard this, had called for the prince and beat him with a club.
After Peter's death in 1925 Menshikov did his best to ensure that the throne would pass safely to Peter's wife Catherine I and for two years of her reign in fact it was Menshikov who ruled the country. In 1727 princes Dolgorukov managed to indisposed Peter II against Menshikov: Menshikov was accused of treason and stealing government money and was exiled with his whole family to Siberia. In 1728 all prince's property was confiscated by the state. By this time it had been just fabulous: 90,000 serfs, numerous villages, 13 million rubles, several poods of gold, silver, diamonds, etc. The palace on Vasilevsky Island was handed over to the First Cadet Corps, for the needs of which new buildings were constructed and the palace's interior was changed a lot. In the 1888 the major part of the palace was occupied by the museum of the Cadet Corps.
The revolution events of the first decades of the 20th century had a pernicious influence on the interiors of the Menshikov Palace: the halls were ransacked, the museum was pillaged and abolished. Under the Soviet the palace housed different institutions and only in 1967 the historical building was handed over to the State Hermitage.
The original appearance of the palace was re-created in the course of restoration work undertaken in the 1970s. The palace museum, devoted to the Russian culture of the 18th century, opened its doors to visitors in 1981.
The Palace is of great historical and architectural value as one of the first building of Petrine period.