Italian Palace

The Italian Palace is one of the oldest and largest palace buildings in Kronstadt, constructed in 1720–1724 according to the design of architect I. F. Braunstein. Since 1771, it housed the Naval Cadet Corps, for which the building was rebuilt and a tower for an astronomical observatory was added. In 1898–1900, the palace was significantly expanded for the Naval Engineering School, with the main entrance moved to the middle of the southern wing and a cast-iron staircase installed. Throughout its history, the building also housed the Engineering School, the Department of Public Education, a library, and command staff courses, and in 1922 it was significantly damaged by a fire.