Mansion of Ivan Betskoy, Classical mansion in Saint Petersburg, Russia
The Mansion of Ivan Betskoy stands at Palace Embankment 2 and Millionnaya Street 1 in Saint Petersburg. Its plan is a regular quadrilateral around a large inner courtyard later filled with wings; the embankment wing keeps its 18th-century appearance. The wing facing the Field of Mars was originally two storeys with side towers and a hanging garden, and brackets for that structure survive inside the courtyard at second-floor level.
Built from 1784 to 1787 for Ivan Betskoy on the site of Rastrelli's demolished wooden Opera House, the mansion's architect remains unidentified; since 2005 the name Vallin de la Mothe no longer appears in the heritage register, and Yuri Felten is considered the most likely author. In 1830 the treasury bought the house for Prince Peter of Oldenburg, and in 1839–41 it was raised and redecorated to Vasily Stasov's design.
The residence belonged to Ivan Betskoy, who established Russia's first public education system and worked closely with Empress Catherine the Great.
The mansion is located at the corner of Palace Embankment and Millionnaya Street in central Saint Petersburg, easily accessible by public transport. The site offers convenient views of surrounding canals and squares in the historic district.
The building carries two addresses - 2 Palace Embankment and 1 Millionnaya Street - creating a connection between two major thoroughfares in the city. This unusual numbering reflects its prominent position at the start of the historic Millionnaya area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,738 contributors worldwide.