The summer garden and the summer palace of Peter the Great

Across the river from the Peter and Paul Fortress and Peter the Great's domik is the historic Summer Garden. Peter the Great commissioned the first architect of the city - Domenico Trezzini - to build a small palace in the park. The palace had no heating and was intended for summer time, hence its name - the Summer Palace - and the park became known as the Summer Garden. A two-story yellow palace was built in 1710-14, with 7 rooms on each floor.

The Yusupov Palace

Since 1830 The Yusupov Palace belonged to Princes Yusupovs noble family. The building was constructed to the design of J.-B. Vallen-Delamote. The Palace retauns the genuine 18th century Empire style interiors.

Menshikov Palace

Alexander Menshikov (1673-1729) was a good friend and companion of Peter the Great. He came from a very humble background, but was quickly promoted by Peter and eventually became St. Petersburg's first Governor General. As Governor General, he commissioned a large palace on Vasilievsky Island, where he lived till 1727. From 1732 to 1918 the palace was used by a military school, and in 1967 it was given to the Hermitage. Now, with the early 18th century interiors restored, it houses a collection of Russian culture from the early the 18th century.