Photograph of Saint Michael's Castle in St Petersburg. The building has three storeys and a central pediment with a large window below. Visible to the left is a thin spire which is at the back of the building. In front of the building there is an equestrian statue of Paul I, Emperor of Russia. Saint Michael's Castle was built by Paul I with the intention of creating a more secure residence than the Winter Palace. Despite this he was assassinated in the castle in 1801. From 1823 it was used by the military as an engineering school.