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Menshikov Palace

Menshikov Palace celebrates its 300 years anniversary

Menshikov Palace is one ofthe first preserved buildings in Saint-Petersburg. Such architectures as Fontane,Tshedel,Trazini, Rastrelli, Mattarnovy and Leblon took part in its creation.Their ideas were realized by Russian goldsmiths — bricklayers, carvers, painters. They used all known achievements in art and construction. Interiors decoration works included marble, painting, modeling, sculpture, Holland cobalt painted tile and Russian stove ornamental tiles and also arras and different materials. Currently there are two exhibitions in the museum:"The memory ofthe past is still alive around there" dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the oldest stony building in the city and'The culture of the first one third of the 18th century". From the 1 th of October in 1711 the Palace was one ofthe centres of cultural and business life of Russia acting as representative ofthe country. After Menshikov died the Palace was adapted to a cadet corps to study Russian youths.

The new life for the Palace history started in the second half of the 20th century when one opened the exhibition "The culture of the first one-third ofthe 18th century"here. In 1986 the exhibitions widely increased:"Tokarnya","Shpalernaya", "Cabinet with painting", "The rooms of D. M. Menshikova". Notably that the decoration of these rooms was made with the silk wallpapers ofthe 17-18th centuries restored in the Hermitage and also some fragments of Holland tile which were discovered under the Palace floor.

The exhibition "The memory ofthe past is still alive around there" collects arts of painters and architectures made during the period ofthe Palace restoration. The State Hermitage Museum published unique catalogue for the 300th anniversary of Menshikov Palace.