Nevsky Prospekt, 39
Subway: Nevsky Prospekt, Gostiny Dvor
Closed to the public
Nestled at 39 Nevsky Prospect in Saint Petersburg, Russia, the Anichkov Palace represents a cornerstone of the city's architectural heritage. Positioned right beside the iconic Anichkov Bridge spanning the Fontanka River—from which it derives its name—it holds the distinction of being the earliest surviving stone edifice along Nevsky Prospect, Saint Petersburg's bustling central artery. Commissioned in the 18th century, this grand structure has undergone numerous transformations in style and purpose, mirroring the turbulent history of Russia's imperial family and the shifts following the Bolshevik Revolution. Once a symbol of royal extravagance and intimate family life for the Romanovs, it now thrives as a dynamic educational facility dedicated to nurturing young talents, seamlessly blending its storied past with contemporary community engagement.
The origins of the Anichkov Palace trace back to 1741, when Empress
Elizabeth Petrovna initiated its construction on land previously held by
Antonio de Vieira, aiming to enhance the developing outskirts of Saint
Petersburg where Nevsky Prospect was then a wooded avenue. Completed
around 1754 in a lavish Baroque style, it was initially bestowed upon
her favored companion and probable secret husband, Count Aleksey
Razumovsky, making it the most extravagant private home of its time.
Following Razumovsky's passing in 1771, the property returned to
imperial control. In 1776, Catherine the Great acquired it from his
brother and presented it to her confidant, Prince Grigory Potemkin, who
hosted opulent gatherings and social events there. After Potemkin's
demise in 1791, it reverted to the state and was repurposed for the
Imperial Cabinet, overseeing royal properties and industries.
During
the early 1800s, Emperor Alexander I gifted the palace to his sister,
Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna (later Grand Duchess of
Mecklenburg-Schwerin). It subsequently became a cherished private haven
for several heirs to the throne prior to their coronations, including
Nicholas I, Alexander II, and notably Alexander III, who resided there
with his consort, Maria Feodorovna, and their offspring—among them the
future Nicholas II, Russia's final emperor. Alexander III favored it
immensely over the more ostentatious Winter Palace, using it as his
primary Saint Petersburg abode after ascending in 1881. The palace
buzzed with royal occasions, such as elaborate balls, family
celebrations, and significant milestones like the 1914 nuptials of
Nicholas II's niece, Grand Duchess Irina Alexandrovna, to Prince Felix
Yusupov—a union that drew widespread attention amid the era's political
tensions. Maria Feodorovna, as the Dowager Empress, remained in
residence until the February Revolution of 1917, after which she
relocated to Kiev, though the palace was briefly occupied by the
Provisional Government's Ministry of Provisions.
In the wake of the
October Revolution, the Bolsheviks nationalized the property, initially
transforming it into the Saint Petersburg City Museum to exhibit urban
history from 1918 to 1935. By 1934, it was repurposed as the Young
Pioneer Palace (originally Leningrad's Palace of Pioneers), a Soviet
institution akin to a youth development center, emphasizing
extracurricular enrichment for children. This shift underscored the new
regime's focus on communal education over aristocratic legacy.
The Anichkov Palace embodies a captivating blend of Baroque
exuberance and Neoclassical restraint, shaped by successive redesigns
across centuries. Its initial conception is attributed to architects
Mikhail Zemtsov and possibly Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who infused
it with ornate Baroque elements, including elaborate decorations and a
principal facade oriented toward the Fontanka River, once linked by a
navigable canal for dramatic arrivals. Karl Rossi also contributed to
early plans, though his full 1816 reconstruction proposal went
unrealized. Under Potemkin's ownership, Ivan Starov undertook a major
overhaul between 1778 and 1779, standardizing the wing heights, removing
excessive Baroque flourishes, and imposing a more austere Neoclassical
aesthetic with symmetrical lines and grand proportionality. This created
the palace's current imposing yet somewhat uniform exterior.
Further
enhancements came during Alexander I's rule, with Giacomo Quarenghi
adding the Cabinet of Her Imperial Majesty along Nevsky Prospect in a
strict Neoclassical vein, featuring a colonnade and cour
d'honneur—though critics note it clashes with Rastrelli's original
vibrancy. Later modifications under Alexander III incorporated eclectic
historic motifs. Complementing the building is an adjacent English-style
regular garden, designed by William Hould (or Gould), complete with
pavilions, summer houses, statues, and serene pathways that extend to
the river, offering a picturesque retreat amid the urban landscape.
Though the exteriors reflect a transition to Neoclassicism, the interiors have been repeatedly updated, preserving pockets of imperial splendor while adapting to new functions. From Potemkin's time, remnants include lavish chandeliers and fixtures suited for extravagant receptions. Key preserved spaces accessible via the on-site museum encompass the library, Emperor Alexander III's personal study (maintaining its authentic 19th-century setup with desks, bookshelves, and memorabilia), and the elegant Yellow Drawing Room, all evoking the intimate daily life of the Romanovs. Additional highlights include opulent staterooms adorned with intricate moldings and artworks, a grand conservatory (occasionally closed for restoration) filled with exotic plants and glass enclosures, a spacious ballroom for historic dances and gatherings, and the Palace Church of St. Alexander Nevsky, featuring ornate altars and religious iconography from the mid-19th century. These rooms showcase luxurious materials like marble, gilded accents, and fine woods, highlighting the palace's role in both private royal routines and public spectacles. Note that interior photography and filming require special permission, preserving the site's sanctity.
Today, officially known as the Saint Petersburg City Palace of Youth Creativity (formerly the Young Pioneer Palace), the Anichkov Palace primarily serves as a vibrant hub for extracurricular education. It accommodates over 100 clubs and organizations providing programs in diverse fields such as visual arts, handicrafts, athletics, scientific exploration, engineering, and performing arts, benefiting more than 10,000 young participants each year. The prestigious Anichkov Lyceum, an elite secondary school emphasizing rigorous academics, occupies part of the premises. A modest museum section offers guided tours delving into its imperial history, available in Russian on a set timetable or in English by prior arrangement, with an entry fee of approximately 150 RUB. The palace operates Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Sundays, and lacks wheelchair accessibility. Its gardens remain open for leisurely strolls, featuring historic pavilions and providing a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city. This evolution ensures the palace's enduring relevance, honoring its Romanov roots while fostering future generations.