Смольный

The Smolny is an edifice in St Petersburg that has played a major part in the history of Russia. Prior to the revolutionary events of 1917, the Smolny was Russian's first educational establishment for Noble Maidens. In 1917, the building was chosen by Vladimir Lenin as Bolshevik headquarters during the Great October Socialist Revolution. It was Lenin's residence for several months, until the national government was moved to Moscow Kremlin. After that, the Smolny became the headquarters of the local Communist Party apparat, effectively the city hall. Today, this historic building is the official residence of the governor of St Petersburg