Welcome to the Menshikoff Concert Hall!
The unique opportunity to understand what Russia is within one evening only!
Folk show performance "The Heart of Russia"
The show lasts 1 hour 50 minutes, including a 30- minute break, when souvenirs are available for guests.
Brief history of the building
Alexander Menshikof, the first owner of the Menshikof Palace was the first Governor of St.Petersburg and a "right hand" of Peter the Great. In 1707 the Governor received the whole Vasiliyevsky island as a gift from the tsar. Here in the eastern part of the island the palace was built in the style of so-called "Petrovsky baroque". Among the architects who took part in the construction there were D.M. Fontan (1710-1712), I.G. Shedel (1713-1727), D.Tresini, J.B. Leblon, B.K. Rastrelli (1717-1719).
Later on after the death of Peter the Great and overthrown of Menshikof the palace became a state property.
On June 29, 1731 the first Cadet Corps was organized in the luxirious mansion after the decree of the emperess Anna Ioanovna for training military officers. The building was reconstructed by Domenico Tresini and Ivan Blac in accordance with its new purpose: new buildings were erected at the western part of the palace for arranging classes and dwelling facilities for cadets.
On February 17, 1732 the Corps was opened.
IIn 1766 the Corps was awarded the name of Shliakhetsky Land Cadet Corps, with full education course of 15 years. Cadet graduates were 21 by the time of graduation. They were awarded military ranks in accordance with their study results, and could choose military or civil career.
In 1770 a spacy hall was built in the eastern part of the palace. This hall hosted cadets' meetings with their families as well as public meetings on Sundays.
The center of the hall was surrounded with railings: this place was used marching, dancing, playing.
The Corps had an honor to receive emperors and members of their family. Among the cadets and the Corps graduates at different times there were Kondrat Ryleyev, a hero of the Patriotic War 1812 and one of the leaders of the Rebellion on the Senat square on December 1825; General Rumiantsev-Zadunaiski, a hero of the 7-year war and Russian-Turkish campaigns in the middle of the XVIIIthe century; General Field Marshal Kutuzov, a head of the Russian army during the Patriotic War 1812 and preceding military campaigns; Sergey Glinka - patriotic writer and editor of the "Russki Vestnik" magazine, and his brother - Fedor Glinka, a famous poet, participant of the Patriotic War 1812 and the "Decembrists" revolutionary movement, and many others.
We will do our best to make your stay here pleasant and enjoyable!
4 pl. Truda, of. 42, St. Petersburg, Russia, 190098
Tel.: +7 (812) 312 5500, +7 (812) 571 7110,+7 (812) 571 9304