The Yussupov Palace
The most sumptuous non-imperial palace in St. Petersburg was
the home of the unabashedly rich and powerful Yussupov family,
who from the mid-18th century (when the first version of this
palace was built) until the Revolution, moved in the most powerful
circles in Russia. In addition to being movers and shakers, the
Yussupov's were great collectors of art, and their collection
was known well beyond Russia. After the Revolution, most of the
collection was moved to the Hermitage, making this place just
another palace, though traces of the incredible wealth that once
kept this place pulsating with life still remain: the various
sitting rooms, the intricate chandeliers and candelabras that
adorn every room and corridor, and the beautiful private theatre
that looks like a cosy version of the Mariinsky.
Recently the palace opened an exhibit attempting to make up
for the loss of all the art treasures, an exhibit concerning an
event that occurred in the palace in the winter of 1916. The assassination
of Rasputin is one of the most well-known stories of Russian history
and they try to capitalise on this to the fullest, retelling the
story and showing the two rooms where it all happened. In the
first room, where the conspirators waited, hang photographs from
the early 20th century showing all the principle characters in
the drama including several shots of nasty old Raspy himself in
various poses: with soldiers of the guard, with a large group
of society ladies, with Siberian followers, as a mutilated corpse,
and so on. In the cellar where the assassination took place there
are wax figures of Yussupov and Rasputin as well as the table
filled with poisoned goodies.
