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The most opulent non-imperial palace in St. Petersburg was home to the richest Russian family - the Yusupovs. They moved in the most powerful circles of Russia from the middle of the18th century (when the first version of this palace was built) until the Revolution, and said to be richer than the Tsar family itself. The Yusupovs were also great collectors of art, and their collection was known well beyond Russia (today most of it is to be found in the Hermitage Art museum).
The palace was purposely built in different styles, from classicism to gothic and Moroccan. It features various sitting rooms, intricate chandeliers and candelabras adorning every room and corridor, while the highlight is a beautiful private theatre that looks just like a cosy version of the Mariinsky.
Apropos, it was here that the infamous Rasputin was killed...