The Morozov Palace

The palace was erected in the late 19th century by the architect V. Mazyrin to the commission of Madame Morozova and was presented to her son Arseny Morozov. Soon afterwards he departed on a journey through Spain and Portugal and returned enchanted with their culture. Under the influence of what he had seen Arseny had his mansion rebuilt in a Moorish style. The fancy turrets, open-work stone lace and huge sea shells on the facade of the structure were absolutely foreign to Russian architecture. The palace is famous for its rich eclectic decor.  The house was greeted with bewilderment and even ridicule, and it was called the Spanish Town House or the Spanish Castle. This house on Vozdvizhenka was famous for the banquets which Arseny organised. It is said that during one banquet there was a stuffed bear holding in its paws a silver tray loaded with black caviar.Arseny died at the age of 35, but even after his death this famous house was followed by notoriety. The reckless owner had left his entire fortune to a certain young woman called Konshina. She continued the tradition of banquets in the house, but she was also destined to carry on her excesses for a brief period. In May 1918 the house was transferred to the Association of Proletarian Culture. From 1928 to 1952 the house was used as an embassy for various countries. In 1959 it was opened as the House of Friendship with Peoples of Foreign Countries.