built at the junction of XVIII-th and XIX-th century, while St. Michael, now Engineering castle was supposed to be the main residence of Emperor Paul the First.The place was not chosen by chance: merger Fontanka Wet has always been associated with the royal family.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century in this territory were summer gardens, broken at Peter, and later, in the 1745th built a summer residence here for the great-grandmother of Paul - Elizabeth, the walls of which the future Russian emperor and was born.
his happy childhood spent here, the monarch always remembered fondly.And once he said that he wanted to die in the place where he was born.
Engineers' Castle on the draft Bazhenov built a long twelve years old, immediately after Paul's ascension to the throne.Dilapidated summer residence was demolished, and in the 1797th began to build the Mikhailovsky Palace.
Emperor in such a hurry to finish the construction, for the sake of the ceremony of the bookmark for the day took off mourning for Catherine II and Peter III.
Over the entire four years Paul personally monitor the work.
name of the new palace - "Mikhailovsky Castle" - was related to his hobby of chivalry and the proximity of his mind the image of the same name Archangel.The architecture of medieval buildings has always attracted him.Therefore, the "locks" the decree of Paul called his other residences, both urban and suburban: Winter, Tsarskoye Selo, and so on. D.
for speedy completion of the work in St. Michael's or Engineer Castle brought building materials from all other major buildings: decorative stone columnsculptures brought from the Academy of Arts and Tsarskoye Selo, a frieze placed above the main gate - from St. Isaac's Cathedral, parquet - from the Tauride Palace.
main entrance to the palace was radically transformed.Approaches to the building began on the streets of Italy, passing through the triple semicircular gates, the average passage of which was intended only for the royal family.
Beyond the gate was broken and wide straight alley, which is located on the sides of the stables and riding school.She ended at three-storey guardhouse, followed that have been made to strengthen.
Area Constable ended by a wide moat and through him was transferred lifting wooden bridge.
the first day of February 1801, the year the imperial family moved to the Mikhailovsky Palace, a total of forty days, Paul was killed.His wish came true: he was born and died in this place.
In 1819, the year the palace was handed over to the engineering school.Hence the other name it - "Engineer's Castle" - kotoryi was officially awarded to him 1823.
Known for his penchant for ostentatious effect, to parades and balls, Paul practically "stuffed" his palace wealth and luxury.Engineers' Castle, a photo of which is evident not only monumental buildings, but elegant interiors, combines a variety of interiors of malachite, marble, jasper and lapis lazuli with carved wooden elements, amazing stucco, velvet upholstery, lined with silver, with the works of the mostby famous artists.
Mikhailovsky Palace was always full of mysteries and legends.It is said that on the day of the consecration of the royal sentry castle army was golden-haired young man who commanded something to convey to the Emperor.Immediately after the murder of Paul imperial family left the palace.However, even the year of his ghost in the Engineers' Castle frightened workers Court Office, moved here.
