the sheremetev palace
the museum of music

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The Sheremetev Palace is home to Russia's largest collection of musical instruments from around the world, well worth an hour of your time.

The Sheremetev Palace is affectionately remembered as The Fountain House, a prominent cultural center in 18th century St. Petersburg known for gardens with stunning fountains that delighted residents and guests. Set on the banks of the Fontanka River, just steps from Nevsky Prospekt, this elegant yellow and white baroque estate tucked behind ornate wrought-iron fencing is still admired to this day.

The original wooden home with extensive land was gifted to Field Marshall Boris Sheremetev by Peter the Great in 1712. As one of the wealthiest families of the Imperial era, Sheremetev immediately built a palace on the site and then expanded it during the 1740s.

An avid patron of music and the arts, he had architects Savva Chevakinsky and Fyodor Argunov design a large palace with a hospital and a full-scale theater, where Sheremetev's popular serf theatrical troupe and orchestra could perform.

By the late 1700s, the Sheremetev's were producing the finest theatrical productions in Russia, as well as hosting extravagant balls, concerts, dinners and literary soirees. Famous literary figures such as Vasily Zhukovsky, Alexander Turvenev, and Alexander Pushkin attended these prestigious events and were close friends of the family.

Today, the Palace is part of the State Museum of Theatre and Musical Art where a vast collection of musical instruments from Russia and Europe dating back to the 17th century are exhibited. An intriguing look into music history and Sheremetev's private art collection are also showcased. Definitely, this is another attractive place to visit while in the city of St. Petersburg.☺

A LOOK INSIDE THE SHEREMETEV PALACE

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Interested to visit the Palace? If so, click on the links below or scroll down the page to learn more.

more about the palace

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The Sheremetev Palace is an interesting place to visit for its opulent interiors and its vast collection of fine original paintings and musical instruments, which of some had been owned by famous musicians.

When taking a tour inside the Palace you can expect to see the following rooms/exhibits:

• Anna Akhmatova Memorial Museum (The southern wing houses the museum in the apartment where this 20th-century poet lived from the mid-1920s to 1938. She mentions the “Fountain House” in her works);

• The Sheremetev Private Art Collection;


• The Prokofyev Exhibit (Possibly a temporary exhibit);


• The Oblichya Exhibit (The history of masks and costumes from The Burlyuk Company);


• The Balalaikas Exhibit (Possibly a temporary exhibit);


• White Hall;


• The Courtyard;


• Wrought-Iron Fence (Built by Geronimo Corsini in 1838).

interesting facts

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The Palace remained home to many generations of the illustrious Sheremetev family, until the 1917 Revolution when they had to give the palace to the state in order to save it. Despite an agreement with the Soviet government that it would be used as a museum, the Bolshevik's turned the staterooms into rental apartments -- one of which was Anna Akhmatova's.

Anna Akhmatova, the famous 20th-century poet also lived at The Sheremetev Palace from 1918-1938 and often cited the Fountain House in her works. The south wing of the palace is now the Anna Akhmatova Memorial Museum, which includes the apartment where she lived. 

where to buy tickets

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You can purchase tickets for the museum and the music concerts on the spot at the ticket office. Tickets online for the Palace are not available.

how to get there

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As the Palace is located on the banks of the Fontanka River, a few steps from Nevsky Prospekt, you can easily reach the site on foot, if you are staying in St. Petersburg downtown and you don't mind to walk. Otherwise, public transportation are available.

practical information

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Address: 34, Naberezhnaya Reki Fontanki

Metro: Nevsky Prospekt or Gostiny Dvor

Telephone: +7 (812) 272-4441

Opening hours: The Museum of Music is open daily 11 am to 7 pm. Last admission is at 6 pm.
Closed: Tuesdays and the last Wednesday of each month

Website: www.theatremuseum.ru/filial/sheremetevskiy_dvorec_muzey_muzyki

Admission: 250 Rubles; Audio-guide: 100 Rubles

Photo and video: Photo: 100 Rubles Video: 200 Rubles

Accessibility note: Limited access for wheelchair-bound visitors: only garden and the 1st floor.

tips & recommendations

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• If you go, follow signs for the entrance, and remember that in Russian tradition, the actual main entrance does not coincide with the architectural intention.


• It takes about one hour to tour the museum.


• It's not crowded, even in the middle of the day.


• Please note that concerts are held regularly. And, if you wish you can skip your visit to the Palace and go only to the music concert. Tickets are sold separately.

• We believe that lovers of music and music history should definitely come here.☺

accommodation nearby

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Our picking list of Hotels near Sheremetev Palace

must-travel resources

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Our picking list of essential travel resources for you trip to Russia

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From Sheremetev Palace return to St Petersburg Palaces or go to the Homepage