The Marble Palace

Тhe White (Gothic) Room

The White Room was redesigned in the 1840s. The new interior was created by Alexander Brullov in the existing architectural setting by Antonio Rinaldi. The room also has a name of the Gothic Room, because its wide crescent arches were richly decorated with Gothic ornamental elements.

The columns of artificial white marble dividing the walls acted as visual supports for the ornamental arches. The six high Venetian windows in the second tier above the Oak Gallery looked out onto the inner courtyard, filling the enormous hall with soft light.

The small second-floor windows facing Marble Lane were hidden behind piers with modelled ornamental designs. While retaining the classical facades of the eighteenth century, Alexander Brullov managed to create a historically romantic atmosphere corresponding to the style of the period. The moulding combined elements of Gothic architecture and national motifs – figures of Russian warriors and double-headed eagles.

Balls and concerts were held in the White Room; Mily Balakirev, Anton Rubinstein and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov gave concerts there.

In 2001 the White (Gothic) Room was opened after restoration. It is fit with modern high-tech equipment for holding conferences, symposia and teleconference bridges.