The Mariinsky Palace
- the City Hall
This palace is known these days mostly for being the seat of
the local Legislative Assembly (i.e. the City Council). However,
it is a fine palace, situated just across the square from the
St Isaac's, with plenty of history behind it. Built for the Grand
Duchess Maria, daughter of Emperor Nicholas I, in 1839-44, the
palace still retains many of its original splendid interiors.
When Maria and her husband owned the palace, they used to have
a huge greenhouse, where pineapples grew quite well. In 1884 the
Mariinsky Palace was bought by the government and became the seat
of the State Council, the State Chancellor's office and the Committee
of Ministers (later - the Council of Ministers). Since 1945 the
palace has belonged to the city council and local administration.
