The Mikhailovsky Castle

The Mikhailovsky Castle stands on the Moika and Fontanka embankments. It was built for Paul I on the site of Empress Elizabeth's Summer Palace. The future Emperor Paul I was born in this Summer Palace in 1754. That wooden palace was erected in 1741-1744 by the architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli.

The Castle that is now on the Summer Palace's site was named in honour of Archangel Michael whom the Emperor considered to be his patron. According to legend a shining youth appeared to a guard and ordered him to go to the Emperor Paul I and tell him to construct a temple in his honour in this place. So the stone palace with St. Michael's church was built and was called the Mikhailovsky Castle. The project was developed by Vasily Bazhenov in 1792. The works were conducted by the architect Vincenzo Brenna in 1797-1800.

Paul I did not like living in the Winter Palace. Being afraid of intrigues, he never felt safe there. However, on the night of March 12th, 1801, only after 40 days he had moved in, Paul I was killed in his bedroom by a group of officers. The plot was inspired by Paul's son Alexander. After Paul's death the castle was abandoned for more than 20 years. Only in 1819 was it handed over to the School of Military Engineers. Hence the origin of the second name, that is the Engineers' Castle. Among the most well-known graduates of the school was the famous Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Nowadays the Mikhailovsky Castle is a branch of the Russian Museum. It houses several permanent exhibitions: "The Portrait Gallery of the Outstanding Figures of the 18 - 19th Century Russian History" and " An Exhibition of 18th Century Sculptural Portrait". The core of gallery is formed by the official portraits of Russian monarchs from Peter the Great to Nicolas II, as well as members of the Royal Family and Russian generals. The portraits were painted by outstanding Russian and foreign artists.

In 1800 in front of the castle the gracious bronze monument to Peter the Great was erected. By order of Paul I the inscription "From Great Grandson to Great Grandfather" was made on the pedestal.

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