The Menshikov Palace

The Menshikov Palace was one of the first masonry buildings in St Petersburg. Its construction began in 1710 under the direction of Francesco Fontana and was continued from 1713 by Johann Gottfried Schädel. Menshikov held a “housewarming” in 1711, but the palace was being extended and completed for years after that.
The palace impressed contemporaries not only with the rich grandeur of its façade, embellished with princely crowns, vases and sculptures, but also with its sumptuous state rooms finished with painted Dutch tiles and walnut panelling.
After Peter I’s death, Menshikov’s residence on Vasilyevsky Island became the political centre of the country. Statesmen and members of the Supreme Privy Council gathered here. The palace was visited by Empress Catherine I, her daughters Anna and Elizabeth, Anna Ioannovna, then Duchess of Courland, and other members of the imperial family.
The palace on Vasilyevsky Island remained Menshikov’s residence until September 1727, when his brilliant career came to an end. It was from here that he went into banishment, bidding a permanent farewell to St Petersburg, in the construction of which he had invested so much effort and organizational ability. All his property was confiscated and given to the Office of Works.
A new phase in the history of the Menshikov Palace is associated with the military educational establishment that went through various changes of name before becoming the First Cadet Corps (as it is best known) in 1800. The corps was founded by Empress Anna Ioannovna’s decree on 29 July 1731 and formally inaugurated on 17 February 1732.
In 1981 the Menshikov Palace opened its doors to visitors after restoration (1966-1981).