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Yusupov Palace

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barbara
barbara
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5 out of 5
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Editor Pick

Yusupov Palace: A Palace of Grand Design

  • August 6, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by sararevell from London, United Kingdom
Palaces aren’t often at the top of my list of places to see even when visiting large cities but I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the Yusupov Palace. Compared to many royal residences, this place seemed so modest in size. I could see from one end of the building to the other for starters.

The ticket office is open daily from 10.45am to 5pm and for $15.66 you get an audio tour guide of the Palace rooms. There’s an additional charge to go the murder site of Grigory Rasputin, and had the museum attendants not been so rude and frustrating, I probably would have shelled out the extra $10 to see that too.

This sand coloured building stands about three stories tall, and apart from six white columns flanking the doorway, I would have been hard pressed to tell that this was a palace at all. We entered into a grand lobby, where a sweeping white staircase draws your eyes skywards. A couple of twitchy attendants at the entrance looked thrown off as we were not part of the big tour group that had entered just ahead of us. They impatiently directed us left and right, first to buy our tickets and next to check our bags, which you’re obligated to do.

We were each given an English language audio guide which we dutifully strapped on and followed instructions to ascend the beautiful staircase to the first room. The incredible detail and spectacular craftsmanship of the marble staircase was just a small taste of what was to come. Barely a wall, ceiling or corridor in the palace has been spared from the skill and artistry that the glamourous Yusupovs commissioned in their many facelifts and refurbishments.

The Yusupovs bought the palace in 1830 and its best known for being the place where the monk Rasputin was poisoned by Viscount Felix Yusupov in 1916 and then unceremoniously dumped into the icy Moyka Canal. Shortly after, the revolution forced the Yusupovs into exile and they deserted the estate for the Crimea. Fortunately their namesake palace survived revolutions and wars and is now resplendent again as a museum.

We followed the engaging audio tour through room after room. Highlights were the imposing oak dining room and the prince’s study, which was also the library and had two levels of bookshelves and at one time contained around eight thousand volumes. The two standout features for me though had to be the exquisite Moorish drawing room and the Yusupov Palace Theatre. The Moorish room would be better described as a hamam fit for a king. It glowed gold in the lamplight, with gilt room partitions and narrow crimson floor rugs adding a Middle Eastern inflection. The diminutive theatre has to be seen to be believed, as its plush scarlet cushions and drapes are straight out of a Russian fairytale. They still use it for music recitals and I can only imagine that being in the audience is quite a unique experience.

www.yusupov-palace.ru

From journal St. Petersburg in all its Faded Glory

Editor Pick

The Yusupov Palace

  • April 6, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by marcopolo from Savannah, Georgia
The Yusupov Palace

In order to tour the Yusupov Palace at 94 Moika, you must call ahead and make an appointment for a guide. It is one of the few palaces in St. Petersburg where you must be accompanied by a palace employee. English speaking guides are available and my personal favorite is a lady named Zoya. She goes out of her way to be as entertaining as possible.

The Yusupov Palace in St. Petersburg is one of the most beautiful privately built palaces in the world. It boasts a life span of 250 years. It is not only beautiful; its history is forever linked to the assassination of the mad monk, Rasputin. It was here that Prince Felix Yusupov and a small group of elitists determined to stop Rasputin’s outrageous conduct that was seen by the royalists as so harmful to the cause of Tsar Nicholas II. One of the most popular stops in the palace is a special room where wax figures are arranged to show the main characters in this drama.

When you enter the palace which is built along the banks of the romantic Moika River you are immediately presented with a wide, beautiful staircase which leads to the second floor of the palace where you cannot help but be amazed by the opulent appointments and furniture in place there. Rooms include the music hall, a jewel of a private theater, the oriental bath, living apartments, picture galleries, drawing rooms, the library, and the fabulous restaurant where you may order a meal from a set menu in advance of your visit.

The palace is filled with fantastic art and objects of art. The Yusupovs were one of the richest families in the Empire and owned all sorts of manufacturing plants that created many of the fine pieces on display in the palace. The Yusupov line produced many beautiful women, and the men were noted as great collectors of art and all things beautiful. As the palace was used to entertaining the Romanovs on frequent occasions, the owners spared no expense in making sure the palace was a place where even the Tsar of all Russia would be quite at home! This is a must see for visitors that come to St. Petersburg.

In closing it must be stated that the gift shops in the palace sell very high quality objects of Russian applied art and other souvenirs that represent all areas of Russia. Credit cards are accepted but cash buyers may ask for and get special discounts. The various chess sets there are very historical in nature and would be a credit to anyone’s collection. I splurged on a set that pits the Russians against the forces of Napoleon at Austerlitz.

From journal St. Petersburg revisited 2003

Editor Pick

The Yusupov Palace

  • June 20, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by marcopolo from Savannah, Georgia
If you are lucky enough to travel down the Moika and you happen to glance at the main entrance of the Yupsupov Palace, you will feel compelled to enter this jewel among the jewels of St. Petersburg. Built by one of the richest families of Russia during Tsarist times, the Palace is one of the most amazing buildings in all the world. It is the one palace in St. Petersburg where a guide is required and fortunately the guides speak excellent English and do not provide so much information that a listener ever feels restless waiting to go to the next marvel. Highlights of the palace include the gem room, the blue dining room, the red drawing room,the ball room, the white column room, the Moresque room, the private theater, and countless other breath-taking rooms of beautiful furniture and tapestries. It does not hurt the beauty of the palace that the Yusupovs often entertained the Tsars there. In reality this palace was only one of hundreds of properties and estates owned by the family. It is famous not only for its unique beauty but also for its place in Russian history. It was here that Prince Felix Yusupov and his fellow conspirators carried out the assassination of the infamous Russian Monk, Rasputin. This part of the palace's history is well documented with a minature wax museum and an explanation by the guide that leaves nothing to the imagination. I hope that you will take the time to see this wonderful palace that retains its beauty and splendor as if its heyday were only yesterday.

From journal Culture and Art tour of St. Petersburg

Editor Pick

The Yusupov Palace

  • June 6, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by barbara from Atlanta, Georgia
The Yusupov Palace

This amazing palace was the home of the aristocratic Yusupov family, a family that spared no expense on its lavish residence. Not only was the guided tour we had through the home extremely interesting from the standpoint of architecture and beauty, the place had significant historical significance as well. It was where Prince Felix Yusupov first poisoned and shot Rasputin in the early 20th century. Going down into the dimly lit wine cellar of Prince Felix’s private rooms, I got an eerie feeling of discomfort---especially knowing the story of the death of the famous holy man, Rasputin, who was said to have bewitched Empress Alexandria thus contributing to the fall of the Romanov dynasty before the Communist Revolution. This was definitely in the top three of my favorite things seen in Russia.

From journal Peter’s City

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