Location: center; 17 km off   the Pulkovo airport    Nearest metro:  Gorkovskaya    Address:   Millionnaya ulitsa 5/1   Tel.: +7 (812) 312 11 12      Reservation department e-mail:   operations@comintour.com

The palace was commissioned by Catherine the Great for her favourite, Сount Grigory Orlov. It was designed by Antonio Rinaldi in refined Сlassical style and was built in 1768-1785. The palace got its name because its interiors and façade were adorned with 32 sorts of marble. In 1844-1851 the interiors of the palace were fully rebuilt by A.Bryllov, who preserved the original views of  the Gala stairway and the Marble Hall only. In the Soviet times the palace was converted to the Lenin Museum. Now it is a branch of the Russian Museum and has a decent collection, which includes even Picasso.