The Mikhailovsky (or the Engineer’s) castle became infamous immediately after the death of Emperor Paul I, who was strangled in his bedroom in the castle. And no wonder the palce gained bad reputation, since Palace coups and the Emperor’s murder were not a common thing for Russian Empire after all. Read more
In general, Nevsky Prospekt appeared in 1710 as the connection of two roads from the Admiralty and the church with the trade route. There is a legend about the birth of the Nevsky prospect: it is believed that the road was built (or, rather, cut through the forest) from two ends. Read more
One of the most strange and terrible murders of the early XX century happened in the cellars of the mansion. 17 Dec 1916 Grigory Rasputin, an extraordinary and mysterious person, met his end there. A simple Siberian peasant, rude and uncouth, he not only managed to become a favorite and indispensable advisor of the Royall family, but also actively interfered in the political decisions of the sovereign.Read more
Saint Petersburg is rich in sights. Its palaces and museums are not only full of real treasures, works of art and historical artifacts, but also keep many secrets and mysteries. The palace of the ancient princely family of the Yusupov is situated on the Moika river embankment. It is famous not only for its luxurious interiors and richness of the stored items, but also for being a landmark in Russian history. Read more
Peter and Paul fortress, originally conceived as a military fortification and built according the contemporary system of French military engineer Vauban, has never been used for its intended purpose. In the first quarter of XVIII century the Peter and Paul fortress became known as the “Russian Bastille” – the main state prison. Read more