Menshikov Palace stands on Universitetskaya Embankment on Vasilyevsky Island in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Alexander Menshikov, Governor General of Saint Petersburg, built it as his residence. Giovanni Maria Fontana and later Gottfried Johann Schädel were the architects. It was founded in 1710, opened in 1711, and construction ended in 1727.
The style is Petrine Baroque. In 1727 Menshikov was exiled to Siberia and his property was confiscated. In 1731 the First Cadet Corps occupied the palace, and in the late 19th century it was restored as the Corps' museum. In June and July 1917 it hosted the First All-Russian Congress of Soviets.
The collections moved to the Hermitage and other museums in 1924. After restoration from 1956 to 1981, the palace opened to the public as a Hermitage branch and houses Russian art from the late 17th to early 18th century.
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