4. Меншиковский Дворец – резиденция светлейшего князя Александра Даниловича/The Menshikov Palace – the residence of Prince Alexander Danilovich, 1710-1720s

Authors: architects – D.Fontana and G.Schadel (1710-1720s)

Address: Universitetskaya naberezhnaya, 15 Alexander Danilovich Menshikov, the son of a stableman, became Prince Alexaner, Peter’s close associate and comrade-in-arms, the field marshal and the first governor-general of S-P and Ingermanland (the lands of Izhora). In August 1710 he commissioned architect D.Fontana to build his own residence on the shore of the Vasilyevskiy Island. On 1 October 1711 A.Menshikov gave a house-warming party in his magnificent Palace. When in 1712 D.Fontana left the city for France, A.Menshikov commissioned a German architect G.Schadel to continue the building. Menshikov’s residence was the first stone edifice of such a size in the city and soon became the centre of the political and social life of S-P in the reign of Peter I. Diplomatic receptions, social gatherings attended by foreigners and the anniversaries of the victories in the Northern War were held there. From his mansion A.Menshikov handled business matters connected with the Army organization and building of the city. In one word the residence of A.Menshikov was regarded in Russia as the symbol of the wind of change. Behind the Palace a splendid garden (with 67 people looking after it!) was laid out with 4 ponds in it. The garden was lavishly decorated with fountains and statues brought from Holland and Italy. The garden at Menshikov’s residence was one of the most beautiful in a new capital and soon became a real sightseeing that was shown to the foreigners. Fruits and vegetables from Peter’s and Menshikov’s gardens were sent to their owners to demonstrate their mutual sympathy. The Palace is a bright example of Petrine Baroque, though it demonstrates some characteristic features of the Old Russian Style: the auxiliary premises on the ground and the first floors with vaulted ceilings, white-washed walls, plank floors and sturdy wooden doors. It has 150 rooms divided into two symmetrical parts – the one had once been occupied by A.Menshikov himself, the other – by his wife, united by ceremonial rooms where feasts took place. Two mighty wings with elegant pilasters and balustrades look like the sterns of frigates.

The interior décor was amazingly luxurious – 13 rooms were ornamented with blue and white Dutch tiles. The fashion on tiles came to Russia from France in late 17^th cent., when Louis XIV ordered to construct the plant in Versailles – the Small Porcelain Trianon with the walls totally covered outside with the Dutch tiles. The tiles were brought from Holland, partially being produced and painted in S-P and its environs. Nowadays visitors can admire only 4 rooms the ceilings and walls of which are decorated with 27 810 tiles. After Peter I’s death in 1725 A.Menshikov helped Catherine to ascend the throne, and for thirty months he practically ruled the country from his residence. After the Empress died he fell victim to the plot made by his enemies – in September 1727 A.Menshikov was arrested and together with his family sent to Beryozov, Siberia (leaving the capital A.Menshikov took with him 4 coaches, 150 horse-drawn vehicles, 11 wagons and 147 serves; by order of Peter II unnecessary coaches and serves were called back). His property was confiscated, his wife died on the way, he and his elder daughter died in Siberia in poverty and disgrace in 1729; his other two children were allowed to return to the capital. Being in exile A.Menshikov wrote: God elevated me to the highs of vanity and grandeur, and God crashed me down… In 1732 after Menshikov’s death the Palace was given to the Military College (the first military educational establishment in Russia). Among its graduates there were such outstanding personalities as a famous Russian poet A.Sumarokov, the first actor of the Russian professional theatre F.Volkov, poets-Decembrists K.Ryleyev and F.Glinka. In 1730-1740 the Palace was partially rebuilt, in 1758-1760 the eastern wing was added to it. As a result of such a rebuilding a marvelous garden was completely destroyed, the last trees from it being cut in 1920s. Since 1956 the restoration work had been undertaken in the Palace. It was finished in 1981 when the Menshikov Palace acquired its original look. Nowadays it belongs to the Hermitage and houses the exhibition devoted to the epoch of Peter the Great – one can see the objects of art dated by early 18^th cent.