The Gavriil Derzhavin Estate Museum is located on the Fontanka River embankment. Since 2003, the museum of this great Russian poet of the 18th century has been created in the three-story Derzhavin family palace. Behind the palace there is a greenhouse, as well as a Polish garden.
Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin was born in 1743. He was not only a great Russian poet and playwright, but also an powerful statesman of the era of Catherine II. In 1784, Derzhavin was appointed governor of the new province in Karelia. His literary fame came after the publication of the ode "Felitsa", which was dedicated to Catherine II.
Construction of the Derzhavin Palace in St.Petersburg began in 1791, designed by architect Nikolai Lvov. The project was very ambitious, so Derzhavin had to mortgage many of his lands and serfs. By 1794, the mansion on Fontanka was finished. The main building with wings was located away from the Fontanka River. Literary evenings and balls were frequently held in the house.
After the death of Gavriil Derzhavin in 1816, the house was owned by his wife Daria, but they had no heirs. After her death, the Derzhavin estate went to the state and was later purchased by the Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical College of St. Petersburg. Here was the residence of the Catholic archbishop. By that time, Derzhavin`s mansion was substantially rebuilt. Two outbuildings were completed around the courtyard in front of the main house. Their facades now face the Fontanka River embankment. This is how Derzhavin`s palace has remained to this day.
