 | Saint Petersburg Palaces Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 105 |  |
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I have visited St. Petersburg 3 times, I have visited the Hermitage every time. While indeed I have seen some parts of it more than thrice; neither I, nor you, will ever become bored with it. Russia sees it's State Museums as extensions of the educational system, "Masterpieces" are loaned between "branches" of the state museums. That is why when I was in Saratov down on the Volga, I chanced to see "Menacing Cupid" a work of sculpture that normally resides in the Hermitage, it appears that it was on loan so that people who live in other regions are able to see art treasures of the state without having to travel to other cities. The city of St. petersburg is so vast, a man from the USA I met, who had lived in SPB for 10 years, warned me "no matter how long you live here, no matter how long you live, you will never see it all!". Enjoy what you can, note other areas of interest, so you can plan your return trip carefully to find new treasures. EVERYTHING in this city is a "Must See!" Leave a Comment Directions: Neveski Prospect, accross from the Admiralty, next to the General Staff building beside the Nevya River!Website: http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/index.html
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| | | | Palaces: Yusupov Palace ~ Another Look - Part 1 | Tip Rating: | | | | |
We arrived at the Yusupov Palace by boat after a scenic cruise beginning in one of the canals and ending on the Moika almost directly in front of the palace! The somewhat austere exterior of the Yusupov Palace belies the richly decorated and furnished interior of this palace. Today the golden colored, colonnaded facade of the Yusupov still sits on the banks of the Moika River after almost two and a half centuries, and by all appearances it remains in excellent condition. This property (originally a wooden building) was once owned by a niece of Peter the Great who then sold the property to the rich and powerful Nikolai Borisovich Yusupov. It is said that the Yusupovs' were a supremely wealthy family, perhaps more so than the Tzar. This palace is excellent evidence of that rumor and to imagine that this palace is but one of the Yusupov palaces. In fact, Prince Yusupov amassed one of Russia's largest, private collections of paintings, sculptures, and rare artwork. I was amazed at sublime beauty of the palace, the ornate architectural details, some of which you can see in the accompanying photo. It was all quite fantastic, if not a little overwhelming. I believe we saw virtually everyroom in the palace! I am not sure what the entry fee is to the palace as it was included in our excursion. Remember there is an additional fee if you wish to use your camera, or video-cam. Leave a Comment Address: 94, Moika River embankment, St. PetersburgPhone: 812-314-9883Directions: On the banks of the Moika RiverOther Contact: FAX: 812-314-3239
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| | | | Palaces: Yusupov Palace on the Moika River | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The Yusupov Palace, once owned by the very wealthy & powerful Yusupov family, is probably most well known as the setting of the death of the mysterious Grigory Rasputin on the night of December 17, 1916. The peasant-monk Rasputin reportedly had a trance-like attraction & healing powers. He was able to stop the suffering of Tzar Nicholas' hemophiliac son. The alleviation of the boy's anquish, a miracle in particular to Tzarina Alexandra, earned him the dubious indebtedness & undue influence on the royal family of Tzar Nicholas II. The tzar's loyalists, including Prince Yusupov, felt that Rasputin was therefore a threat to the state. A plot was fomented in the yusupov Palace to poison Rasputin at dinner but it did not succeed and he was subsequently shot, then drowned in the Moika River just outside the palace. The palace has an exellent wax exhibit portraying a scene in the private apartments where Felix Yusupov (the Younger) and Rasputin are having dinner Notice that the palace, as is the Hermitage, is attended by women, one stationed in each room of the palace, who watch for tourists who become too inquisitive with the palace or its possessions!! They also wield power to move tourist groups into and out of rooms as they see fit, which greatly diminished the necessary time to enjoy each room. Their authority seems unquestionable & is not challenged by tour guides or guests. An incident in the Moorish Drawing room proved this when a tourist in our group apparently touched something. The attendant virtually flew to the man and screamed "Don't touch!!" I suppose she thought the man was an American, but actually he was Dutch! I understand that this type of incident could actually be blamed on the tour guide who is held responsible for the actions of the tourists in her group! If you wish to use videos or camera, you must pay a special fee of $6 for camera and $12 for Videos (2005); everything including paintings can be photographed in the Yusupov!! THE PALACE IS OPEN BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. Leave a Comment Address: 190000, Naberezhnaya Reki, 94 MoikaPhone: 314-9883Directions: Not far from the Mariinski Theatre and Palace. The palace faces the Moika River.
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| | | | Palaces: Yusupov Palace ~ Another Look ~ Part 2 | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Though each room, each staircase, each ceiling seemed grander than the next, the area which really impressed me the most was the theatre. Not even in the mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, do I remember such a theater. Originally designed by architect Andrei Mikhailov in the 1840's, the theatre has been reconstructed twice, the last time being in 1980 by Alexander Stepanov. As the brochure states, "Its appearance is a compact imitation of a big European Theatre." However, I have never seen any so grand! Among those to have given concerts here were Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin. Seating boxes and balconies are embellished with gilt on ornamental carving, yards of velvet drapery frame the stage and rear balcony, and the ceiling features a magnificent painting, "Morning Banishing Night" by artiist: Liphart. The theatre hosts concerts of classical music, chamber operatic works, and evening of vocal music. In fact, one excursion offered was a formal attire, evening gala with concert and folkoric dances for those willing to part with a not insignificant ticket price! This astonishing theatre is but one work of art and one room of this breathtaking palace. Our ship offered a FORMAL evening excursion to the Yusupov Palace for a concert and performance by local artists probably assembled for ship passengers only, but it was quite expensive. When we, hopefully, return to St. Petersburg by ship, I would like to attend this performance and I am sure it will be a night to remember. There is a small but well-stocked gift shop in the palace which sells many nice souvenirs and of course, I could not pass this up. One of the items I purchased would a full color brochure detailing the history and treasures of the Yusupov Palace. Leave a Comment Address: 94, Moika, St. PetersburgPhone: 314-4053
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