 This classical gray-and-white mansion stands in a lovely park, which covers the whole of the Yelagin Island. It was once the property of a prominent nobleman, Ivan Yelagin. Then the palace was bought by the Crown and in 1818-22 the famous Carlo Rossi rebuilt it for Empress Maria Fedorovna, mother of Emperor Alexander I. The palace remained a royal residence till 1917.
The stylish interiors are now beautifully restored after being virtually destroyed by Nazi shelling in 1942. The palace became a museum in 1987 and now one can visit the impressive interiors, including the Oval Hall, the Porcelain Room and the Dining Room. Frequent temporary exhibitions are organized in the palace and the garden pavilions. The adjoining park with the Butter Meadow (Masliany Lug) is lovely and provides good photo opportunities.
Other works by the architect Carlo Rossi in St. Petersburg are: the Army General Staff building on the Palace Square, the Anichkov Palace on Nevsky Prospekt, the Aleksandrinsky Theater, the Mikhailovsky Palace (the Russian Museum) and more.
Address: 1, Yelagin Ostrov, St.-Petersburg
Metro: Chernaya Rechka
Telephone: 239-1130, 239-0141
Open: 10 am to 6 pm
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Admission: 10,0000 rubles
Russian visitors entitled to a discount
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Pearls of Russia 