Ever wonder what tales these walls could tell? This is the Sheremetev Palace, also known as the Fountain House. It stands as a testament to Russia’s rich history and cultural heritage.
The Sheremetev Palace has been home to nobles, a museum, and even a celebrated poet. Its story begins in 1712. Peter the Great gifted this land to Field-Marshal Boris Sheremetev. He ordered a European-style palace to be built. Initially, the Sheremetevs used it as a country estate. Their main residence was on Vasilyevsky Island.
Pyotr Borisovich inherited the estate in 1719. Later, in the 1740s, he commissioned a one-story stone palace. Architect Dmitriev designed it, influenced by Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Rastrelli was building grand residences nearby for Empress Elizabeth. Decades later, Savva Chevakinsky and Fyodor Argunov reconstructed the palace. They adorned it to match the neighboring palaces.
Ivan Starov refurbished the Sheremetev Palace in 1788. The palace housed a remarkable art collection. It included paintings by Raphael, Rembrandt and more.
After the October Revolution, the Sheremetev Palace was nationalized. It served as a location for various organizations. From 1918 to 1931, it housed the Museum of Noble Household. This museum displayed art collections amassed by the Sheremetevs over 200 years. The collection was then moved to the Winter Palace. The Sheremetev Palace was remodeled into a research institute. Sadly, the historical interiors were destroyed.
In 1990, the Sheremetev Palace was given to the Museum of Theatre and Music. Restoration began in the late 1980s. Today, it is a branch of the State Museum of Music and Theater Art.
The Sheremetev Palace boasts a collection of over 3,000 musical instruments. It’s one of the largest collections in the world and the best in Russia. In 2014, the museum received the “Monte Generoso” composition as a gift. It came from Swiss jeweler Willi Inauen.
The Sheremetev Palace also has a literary connection. The renowned poet Anna Akhmatova lived here. She resided in the South garden wing from 1918 to 1920. Later, from 1944 to 1952, she lived in the North wing. The Anna Akhmatova Museum has been here since 1989.
As you stand before the Sheremetev Palace, remember its journey. From a noble estate to a cultural hub, it continues to inspire. The Sheremetev Palace remains a vibrant part of St. Petersburg’s cultural landscape.