The Russian Museum

In the Michael's (Engineers') Castle ensemble historically were the buildings of the castle itself, two Corps de Guards pavilions, exerzierhaus and the stables.

The most important component of the ensemble were the gardens near the Michael's (Engineers') Castle and the Maple Lane. The whole castle territory was surrounded by the special system of channels with drawbridges that gave the castle look of the impregnable fortress. Thus being the center of independent ensemble thanks to its volume and location the castle dominated in spatial composition among ensembles of the Summer Garden, Mars Field and the Mikhailovsky Palace. Art value of the castle was strengthened by its town-planning significance. A spire crowning the castle is one of the most significant vertical accents of the town and is correlated with the main tall dominants of the historical center.

In perspective the museum plans to recreate partially decorative channels and drawbridges system that in former times had formed the space of the Konnetable square with Peter I monument in its center. Taking into account situation of later building of the 19th century it is almost impossible to recreate the water system in full but the whole reconstruction of a bridge without recreating of the channel is very likely (the so-called "false bridge").

The Michael's (Engineers') Castle ensemble should be reserve zone in the whole structure of the Russian Museum palaces complex.

In order to carry out this plan all the territory of the Michael's (Engineers') Castle should be surrounded by cast-iron fences located along the Moika and Fontanka embankments and Sadovaya and Inzhenernaya streets. Recreation of not existing nowadays fences' design could be fulfilled according to analogy with the survived fences designed by Rossi and Charlemagne.

The museum main entrance is supposed to be organized from the northern facade as all the adjoining garden territory should be designed according to the regular planning of the 19th century. Besides on the northern side should be completed recreation of the main staircase sculptural decoration that consists from bronze cast figures of Hercules and Flora, that would be brought from temporary to permanent location and supplemented with two bronze vases.

Creation of the Michael's (Engineers') Castle reserve zone including gardens' restoration and museification and partial hydro system recreation will further the fact that in Petersburg center will be the architectural ensemble having no analogies in any European capital.

The palace and castle of the end of the 18th century built as the Emperor's residence with historical fortification system could (and even should) be perceived not only as architectural masterpiece but also as the unique monument of technical thought.