Russian Fair Travel

Marble Palace


      It was built in 1768-85 for Catherine the Great’s lover, Grigory Orlov. It is a fine example of early classicism. An outstanding Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi, who devoted more than 40 years of his inspired work to St. Petersburg, created the Palace for Catherine’s the Great favorite Count Grigory Orlov who lived in it for some time. Later the Palace was sold to the state treasury and was owned only by the tzar’s family. So, during the 19th century it was a home to a succession of princes, the last of which, Great Prince Konstantin Konstantinovich was a well-known poet who wrote under the pseudonym “K.R.” – Konstantin Romanov. The Palace is St. Petersburg highlight, just off Palace Embankment, along from the Winter Palace, with wonderful views of the Neva River from the windows of the beautiful Marble Hall.
      Palace facades are adorned with columns coated with pink marble. Both interiors and exteriors are coated with 32 kinds of marble of various colours. The second and the third floor are decorated with light gray granite. This combination of authentic stones: granite and marble of delicate colour range reaches an unusual artistic effect.