4. Yusupov Palace, Saint Petersburg
Glitz, glamour, intrigue and murder all make up the story of the Yusupov Palace (also known as the Moika Palace), a must-see in St. Petersburg. Ornate decorations fill what was once the richest aristocratic house in Russia; the Yusupov family’s art collection includes more than 40,000 pieces, including works by Rembrandt. The palace is most famous as the place where Rasputin was murdered by Prince Felix Yusupov and his contemporaries. Today you can see the chamber where the assassination took place, complete with wax figures of the people involved. The palace served as the Yusupov family home from the early 1800s until the Bolshevik Revolution, when the property was confiscated by the new government. It’s now a public museum. We recommend hiring a guide to ensure a tour in English.
