The Nikolaev Palace is located in the former Annunciation Square (now square of Labor), was built by architect A. I. Stakenschneider for Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, son of Nicholas I. The construction of the Palace was completed in 1861.
The facades of the Palace are presented a great example of neo-renaissance style. Repeating the compositional techniques of Italian architecture of the sixteenth century, Stackenschneider saturated the stucco façade, ornamental sculptural accents, floor placed columns and pilasters. Due to the small scale of the order loses the power and grandeur inherent in the buildings of classicism. The portico of four granite columns, unlike classicism, plays the role of emotional and semantic centre, he turned into the simple design of the main entrance. Nevertheless, the Nikolaev Palace seems to be more of their true size because of the typical order of treatment of the facades. The first floor of the Palace is decorated with broad ionic pilasters, the first floor Corinthian columns and a third short narrow pilasters that creates the illusion of perspective reduction. Also facilitated the sculptural decoration that gives a sense of greater height of the building.
Preference in the decoration of the building was given to the Renaissance and Baroque periods. One of the most interesting works of architecture of Petersburg of the XIX century is the staircase of the Palace.
The complex of buildings of the Nikolaev city Palace is a kind of small ensemble, in which the monumental and elegant Palace to confront the modest facades of official buildings in the Eastern quarter. In the differentiation of architectural techniques was the desire to reflect the function of the building in its appearance, and to emphasize the difference in social status of the inhabitants of the Palace and office buildings.
At the end of the XIX century in the Nicholas Palace is situated Kseninsky Institute for noble maidens, who took the noble girls half who have lost one parent.
After the October revolution, the Institute was closed, and the building of the Palace was transferred to the Petrograd Council of trade unions. Later it was renamed the Palace of Labour, and in 1923, the so-called area – the area of Work. During Soviet rule, the Palace housed the Central library, the national University workers Union, various trade Union organizations. There, the printing press has started , which published the journal "Bulletin of trade unions" and the newspaper "Trud".
In the difficult years of the siege of Leningrad in the Nicholas Palace housed a hospital. As a result of bombardment, the building was badly damaged. In the late 40's – early 50-ies the building of the Palace was renovated.
Working hours:
Mon – Sun: 09.00 – 22.00
Day -off: without days-off
Dear friends, pay your attention, to the fact that the time and days of work of "The Nikolaevsky Palace" can change, so before visiting it we recommend you to call +7 (812) 312 – 55 – 00.
