New Mikhailovsky Palace (New Michael Palace)
This palace was built for Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich, son of Nicolas I. It was going to become his new home after his wedding with the Princess of Baden in 1857.
Saint Petersburg already had a palace called “Mikhailovsky Palace” (now hosting the Russian Museum) belonging to Mikhail Pavlovich. So it was decided to call this one “New Mikhailovsky Palace”.
Architect Andrei Stackenschneider, eclectism master, was put in charge of the work that started in 1857. In the end the Grand Duke did not live in the palace as he was appointed Governor General of Caucasia in 1862, the year the building was completed.
After the Grand Duke died in 1909 and although the palace changed owner, a small museum was dedicated to him. The building was nationalized after the Bolshevik Revolution. Since 1930, it hosts the institute of Oriental studies.