New Michael Palace
The palace was commissioned by Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia on the occasion of his wedding to Cecilie of Baden.
[1] The design is a Revivalist medley of quotations from the Renaissance, Baroque, and the Louis XVI styles.
The wing has its origin in the Baroque palace of Chancellor Tcherkassky whose design has been attributed to Pyotr Yeropkin.
The former stables were recently reconstructed with funds provided by Qaboos bin Said al Said in order to house some 1,000,000 Oriental books and manuscripts from the institute's collection.
Metal rafters and beams were used in the construction of the palace, a new method for St Petersburg in the second half of the 19th century, although the technology had appeared in the 1820s and 1830s and was used mainly for roofing large premises (in palaces, mansions and public buildings).
[6] The use of different architectural styles is characteristic of the architect Stackenschneider's work in the finishing and decor of the façades.
At the third floor level in the central risalite between the caryatids is a marble coat of arms of the Grand Duke.
On the side, one between the caryatids is monograms of Mikhail Nikolaevich, supported by women in laurel wreaths.
At the first floor level in the spaces between the risalits the façade is evenly divided by fluted pilasters or columns of the Corinthian order.
The architect used a spectacular motif of the Corinthian columns, continued by the figures of caryatids supporting the entablature.
The central entrance is decorated with a triple tracery canopy and wrought-iron lattices, supported by twisted columns with lanterns.
The interiors of the building, designed in the Classical style, contained elements of Rococo and Gothic[14].
[11] The ground floor contained the front door and also the private apartments of the Grand Duke's family: a Boudoir, a Bathroom and a Study.
The walls of the private apartments were covered with patterned fabrics and the ceilings were decorated with stucco.
The Main Vestibule is decorated with eight columns and 18 pilasters made of grey granite and topped with white capitals.
The Dining room had a tall fireplace decorated with carved oak and the Grand Duke's coat of arms.
On 9 December 1861, the church was consecrated in the name of the Archangel Michael, the patron saint of the Grand Duke.
The paintings on the walls and the vault were done in the Russian style, "with golden arabesques on a blue background".
