MENSHIKOV PALACE

Alexander Menshikov (1673-1729) was a good friend and companion of Peter the Great. He came from a very humble background, but was quickly promoted by Peter and eventually became St. Petersburg's first Governor General. As Governor General, he commissioned a large palace on Vasilievsky Island, where he lived till 1727. From 1732 to 1918 the palace was used by a military school, and in 1967 it was given to the Hermitage. Now, with the early 18th century interiors restored, it houses a collection of Russian culture from the early the 18th century.

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