Yusupov Palace

The Yusupovs were one of Russia's wealthiest families (oil and coal industry) and built a palace along the River Moyka. It is here, within the Yusupov Palace, where Prince Yusupov attempted to murder Grigory Rasputin. First Rasputin was served sweetcakes and beverages laced with poison. After eating and drinking these, having no effect on Rasputin, Prince Yusupov attempted to shoot him. Rasputin was shot twice. Moments later, Rasputin awoke and stood, fleeing the palace. As he fled along the banks of the Neva River, he was shot again. His pursuers bound his hands and feet, rolled him in a carpet and flung him into the frozen December Neva River. Rasputin's body was found a few days later, and autopsy results revealed Rasputin died from drowning, 10 minutes after being thrown into the Neva!