A gift to Prince Michael
It was designed by architect Carlo Rossi in the first half of the 19th century.The ensemble of the square is grouped around the Mikhail Palace, which was built in 1825 as a wedding gift for Grand Duke Mikhail, the younger brother of Alexander I and Nicholas I.
The largest collection of Russian art
The wrought iron railing was designed by Semen Pimenov and VassilyDemut-Malinovsky. In 1895 Nicholas I converted this palace into the Russian Museum of Alexander III, his father. Three years later it was opened to public. The Russian Museum has the largest collection of Russian art in the world. It numbers over 400 ‘000 items.
Mikhailovsky theatre
To the left of the Mikhail Palace is the yellow Benois building of the Russian Museum. It displays the Russian art of the turn of the 20th century. There are works by Kandinsky, Malevich, Shagal and others.
To the left of the Benois building there is the Maly Opera and Ballet House, or theMikhailovsky Theatre. It is the second largest after the Mariinsky theatre. It was built by architect Rossi in 1833, the interior layout was designed by Briullov, and was reconstructed in 1859-1860 by Kavos.
In 1833 the theatre was opened and was mainly used for concert performances. Before the revolution of 1917 a permanent French company performed here.
Grand Hotel Europe
Grand Hotel Europe was built in 1875 by Fontana and by Lidval redesigned at the beginning of the 20th century in the Art Nouveau style. It is a five star hotel, which is one of the oldest in the city.
The famous Shostakovich Philharmonic hall
The Shostakovich Philharmonic Hall stands opposite the Grand Hotel Europe. It was built by Jaquot in 1839 as the club of the gentry. In the late 19th century the facade of the building was enlarged. The Russian musical society founded by Anton Rubenstein in 1859 staged many concerts of the works of the Russian composers here.
Great foreign musicians such as Wagner, List, Berlioz, appeared here. The Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1921. One of the most moving concerts was performed on August 9, 1942. Here 13 km from the front line the orchestra gave the 1st Leningrad performance of the 7th Symphony by Shostakovich.
Theatre of musical comedy
To the left of the building is the Theatre of musical comedy founded in 1929.
The house of General Vielgorsky
To the left of the building is the Theatre of musical comedy founded in 1929.
Opposite the Maly Opera and Ballet House is the former Vielgorsky house. General Vielgorsky was a great patron of the arts. List, Schuman, Berlioz performed at his evenings. Now this building is used as a secondary school and a kindergarten.
The ethnographic Museum
The Museum of Ethnography was originally a Russian Museum department and in 1934 it became independent. Its rich collections tell interesting ethnographic information about the peoples of this country. The building was designed by architect Svinyin in 1900-1911.
The monument to Alexander Pushkin
In the centre of the square there is the monument to Alexander Pushkin, sculptured by Anikushin in 1957 to the 120th anniversary of the poet’s death.
