The palace was built in 1760's by Vallin-Delamothe, and rebuilt in 1830 - 1838 by A. L. Michailov (he added the wing with the Balcony hall and an enfilade of grand rooms).

The Yusupov palace is also known as the place where prince Yusupov and his friends killed Rasputin on the night of December 16-17, 1916. By the decree of the Tsar Rasputin's last name was changed to a more neutral Novih.

For a short time after the revolution the diplomatic missions of Sweden and Germany were located here.

In 1919 the palace was handed over to the Peoples Commissariat of Education, which placed a museum of noble life style here. The same year the Yusupov family forever left Russia. Starting in 1925 the palace became the Teacher House; latter called the Education Culture Palace. As I understand, it doesn't serve that purpose now, and is simply a museum where guided tours are held.

There is also a separate tour, dedicated to the murder of Rasputin (it is only worth taking if you really want to see wax figures in the rooms where the murder was contemplated and carried out : ).

Sphinx figures in front of the staircase.

It is designed by Monighetti in 1858 - 1860.

A very beautiful room despite the lack of the abundance of gilt, like in the other rooms.

The room is garnished with cut oak.

The design is by A. A. Stepanov in the end of the 19th century. Earlier this space housed a winter garden.

Designed in the 1830's by architect A. A. Michailov. In the 1840's some parts were enhanced by B. Simon.

Decorated in the 1890's.

The floors are laid with 12 different strains of precious wood.

Was created within the same time period, while the palace was being renovated by A. A. Stepanov.

The windows in the walls were filled in, and now the light comes in through the apertures above.