While Anichkov Palace was not given to the children (now the Palace of Young Creativity here), it served as a gift, and was passed on more than once, the estate owned a variety of different names of St. Petersburg.

The first palace on Nevsky Prospekt was built in 1741 by the decree of Empress Elizabeth. Today it is difficult to imagine, but then these places were the border of Petersburg, there was a forest clearing, because the estate was designed to decorate the entrance to the city.

The name of the house is due to officer Anichkov . On the other side of the Neva at this time were the soldiers of the Admiralty Battalion with his commander-officer Mikhail Anichkov . It was this battalion that later built the first wooden bridge, which was named after the commander .By the way, the settlement where the military was stationed was also named after the officer's name . As a result, in almost all documents the future palace was called just "the palace at Anichkov Bridge" . By 1754 the palace under the leadership of architect Mikhail Zemtsov was built, the empress gave it to her favorite Alexei Razumovsky as a token of gratitude, and she went to the young lover .

Empress Catherine II bought Anichkov Palace to give it to Grigory Potemkin. The new owner, with the help of architect IE Starov, redone the facades in the style of early classicism, the building acquired a more rigorous appearance. Subsequently, many well-known architects made their own adjustments to the building plan at the request of the owners, but each of them treated his colleagues very carefully and tactfully. In many respects thanks to this Anichkov the palace has survived to the present day.

After Anichkov, the palace was the cabinet of Her Majesty and the directorate of the imperial theaters, the sister of Alexander I managed to be a guest in it: The Yellow-Column Hall - her handiwork . New owner - future Nicholas I - also rebuilt the palace to his taste . Pushkin's unloved balls, which carried his wife Natalya, were held exactly here . Here on November 23, 1836 the poet was invited to an audience with the emperor, who demanded to refrain from a duel . It is interesting that in the Anichkov Palace had its own Vasily Zhukovsky . He was the teacher of the young Alexander II who lived in the palace as a child .

After the revolution in Anichkov the palace housed the museum of the city, not only St. Petersburg, but also Moscow and Rome. In the early 30's, the rich interior decoration was sold, mostly abroad. In 1937, the city authorities opened the Palace of Pioneers - the largest in the Soviet Union. During the Great Patriotic War, this architectural monument miraculously survived, although the Nazis planned to destroy it. In those difficult years the hospital was located in the building.

After the war, the Palace of Pioneers reopened its doors. Circles were attended by chess player Boris Spassky, opera singer Elena Obraztsova, actress Alisa Freindlich and many others. Now in the legendary palace there are more than 20 mugs and sports sections for schoolchildren. But the entrance is open and for adults. The excursion will cost 150 rubles

Practical information

Address: 39 Nevsky Prospect,

Years of construction: 1741-1754.

The nearest metro stations are: "Mayakovskaya", "Gostiny Dvor"

Hall in Anichkov Palace

Anichkov Palace in winter

Inside the Anichkov Palace