Secret Rooms

During the digging works in vaults one more landmark event had happened: the secret rooms of the Count Stroganoff that were hidden from the public for almost 150 years were discovered. Through his whole life the Count Stroganoff spent a lot of time in Europe where he was known as a gentleman of virtu, a patron of arts and this high reputation gave him a chance to join a Masonic lodge. It is this membership that formed Stroganoff a great passion for various secrets and mysteries.

It is important to notice that basis of the palace, including secret rooms and wine vaults, are much older than the palace itself. This is due to the fact that in 1730’s the territory of the palace and the territory next to the palace (17- 18, Nevsky Prospect) used to be owned by one of the tailors. Rastrelli, who was the architect of the Stroganoff palace, decided to pull down the tailor’s wooden house, but to save basis and vaults. It is important to notice that basis of the palace, including secret rooms and wine vaults, are much older than the palace itself.