ST. MICHAEL'S CASTLE

A branch of the Russian Museum
2 Sadovaya ulitsa 191041 St. Petersburg
Open: 10am - 6pm, Mondays 10am - 5pm
Closed: Tuesdays
Tel. 210-4173
Nearest metro stations: Nevsky prospekt and Gostiny Dvor

St. Michael's Castle (1796-1800, architects Vasily Bazhenov, Vincenzo Brenna) was built as a residence for Paul I, who personally contributed to its design. The emperor, however, was destined to stay here for a mere forty days: on the night of 12 March 1801, Paul I was murdered in his state bedroom by officers of the Guards.

In 1819 the building was given over to the Main Engineering School and henceforth the castle, which was originally named in honour of the Archangel Michael (the patron saint of Paul I), was known as the Engineers' Castle. Among the students of this school were the writers Fedor Dostoevsky, Dmitry Grigorovich, the composer Cesar Cui, the scholars Ivan Sechenov, Pavel Yablochkin, the army commanders Eduard Totleben, Roman Kondratenko and others. In Soviet times the building housed the Central Naval Library. In 1991 St. Michael's Castle became a branch of the Russian Museum.

At present the museum houses a permanent exhibition of formal portraits - the first attempt to create a national portrait gallery. On display are portraits of Russian monarchs from Peter I to Nicholas II, outstanding commanders and statesmen. Several of the interiors have been restored and the palace is slowly being returned to its former state.

In 1800 an equestrian statue of peter the Great by the sculptor Carlo Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the father of the celebrated architect, was put up in front of the castle.