The rather austere-looking Marble Palace owes its name to its profusion of marble, both inside and out. Catherine II, who planned to give it to her favourite, Grigori Orlov, wanted it to be particularly lavish and called upon her preferred architect, Antonio Rinaldi. He showed his great talent in the Ceremonial Staircase and the marble Hall decorated with 30 varieties of marble. Today it is the annex of the Russian Museum, where prestigious exhibitions are held.