The Yusupov Palace: Exploring a Treasured Museum in St. Petersburg with Vladimir Ivanov

Did you know that the Yusupov family was more wealthy than the royal Romanovs themselves? According to property records, at one point they owned 57 palaces across Russia.

During this 60-minute conversation, we are going to explore one of their surviving palaces – which has become a public museum nestled on the banks of the Moika River in St. Petersburg. We’ll imagine a virtual stroll through the Rococo-style theater, to the glamorous Moorishdrawing room where courtiers were once entertained. We’ll explore the family's wine cellars and winter garden, then turn our attention to their expansive collection of art – which includes works by Rembrandt, Canova, Lancret, and other iconic artists of the era. 

Led by a local expert, our conversation will provide an intimate discovery of the Yusupov Palace’s unique position in Russian History. It has witnessed many remarkable moments, such as the last grand wedding of the Empire in 1914 (between Irina Romanov, the Tsar's only niece, and Felix Yusupov) and the murder of notorious Grigory Rasputin in December 1916. Our exploration of the palace grounds will provide the historical context to better understand Russian politics on the eve of the October Revolution.