The President looked at the interiors of the restored castle. He was taken on a guided tour by the director of the Russian Museum, Vladimir Gusev. He also looked at the “St Petersburg through the Eyes of Children” exhibition on display at the museum and posed for pictures with the children. Eight-year-old Sasha Abramova presented Mr Putin with her portrait of Peter the Great. The President for his part presented the girl with a book on the history of St Petersburg.
The Mikhailovsky Castle, the famous residence of Emperor Paul I, is an architectural landmark dating back to the late 18th century. It was designed by Vasily Bazhenov and Vincenzo Brenna, who were inspired by the architectural tradition of the Maltese Order. In time for the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg, some historical interiors of the castle were restored and the Voznesensky Canal, along the southern façade which was filled with earth in the 19th century when the layout of the grounds around the palace was altered, has been reopened. A three-way bridge leading to the Mikhailovsky Castle across the moat, which had long been under a layer of earth, has been restored.
Before visiting the castle, the head of state took part in inaugurating the renovated Peter the Great Square.
Addressing the crowd, Mr Putin noted that naming one of the most beautiful spots in St Petersburg after the founder of the city was a tribute to the Emperor who had conceived the city on the Neva, built it and made it great.
From now on the square in front of the castle’s southern façade bears the name of Peter the Great. A monument to the first Russian Emperor built by Carlo Bartolomeo Rastrelli has been put in the square.