The book tells about the history of construction, the features of architecture and the interiors of St. Petersburg palaces in which the royal favorites lived. Here the reader learns a lot of new and interesting things about the life of the owners of the palaces, their relatives and friends, as well as about historical events related to their names. The book can be useful to St. Petersburg local historians, guides, lecturers, teachers. It is addressed to everyone interested in the history of Russia and St. Petersburg.