The Palace of Alexander Menshikov (the first large stone
building in St. Petersburg, constructed almost 300 years ago).The 40-room
palace is situated on Vasilyevsky Island and is a very attractive building
of considerable historical interest, and the location where the ICSV11
banquet will be held.
Alexander Menshikov (1673-1729) was an associate of Peter the Great, and an eminent statesman and military figure. Peter's favourite, Menshikov was given the whole of Vasilyevsky Island in 1707. True later on, in 1714 the tsar took back his present, though in the time he owned the island, Menshikov managed to build this palace (with architects Giovanni Fontana and Gottfried Schadel); this palace was the most luxurious building in St. Petersburg at the time.
There are several buildings adjacent to the Menshikov Palace including one known as the Long House built in the mid-eighteenth century. Here in June 1917, Lenin addressed the delegates of the First All-Russia Congress of Soviets.
You are welcome to take a look at this interesting monument of history and architecture.
We plan to travel to the ICSV11 banquet at the Menshikov Palace from the Hotel Pribaltiyskaya on Wednesday July 7 July by three or four boats and to view the main architectural treasures in St. Petersburg from the Neva river and canals during the hour that we cruise to the banquet.