A relatively small one-storey building with a basement in Taganrog on the architectural complexity and size not included in the category of palace buildings. But in the understanding of local residents and visiting tourists, it has a unique memorial status, as it has all the signs - there is a monument, a historical personality, has a historical event.

Palace is located along the street and the Greek architectural style refers to the provincial classicism early nineteenth century. As the archival documents, in 1811, land with dilapidated house outside of Greece acquired Semen Nikolaev - centurion Russian troops. Old building he carried, and in its place put the one-storey house with an elongated basement, intended for delivery of visitors. Later, the house was owned by the mayor of Taganrog Major General Peter Papkova Afanasevicha that by making cosmetic repairs, could profitably sell its urban construction committee for the great price at the time - 52 thousand rubles.

With nearly fifteen polutoraetazhny building with bathrooms was also necessary outbuildings: an outbuilding, cellars, stables, storage, carriage house, it has been decided to use as a residence for visiting dignitaries.

In the early nineteenth century, the south of Russia has gained popularity among the ladies of the court .  In 1816 stopover stayed future Emperor Nicholas I, a year later in 1817 the youngest of four brothers Romanovs - Mikhail Pavlovich, in 1820 - the hero of the war of 1812, General Rajewski .  But the most memorable visit was two years earlier when, in 1818, en route from Ruthenia (now Ukraine) arrived here Emperor Alexander I .  Spring Taganrog emperor liked, and it could not miss court .  But the visit was very brief and did not affect the fate of the house .  But the second visit of Alexander I reflected on the fate of the building is positive: for more thorough preparation and organization of the visit a rewarding stay of the imperial family, repair of buildings and preparation involved in court architect Charlemagne .  He cited the building in proper form and took care of a luxurious interior, because the emperor was coming for a long period of painful wife . 

Immediately upon arrival, Alexander and his entourage stayed here, occupying two rooms, and the rest from late September placed the Empress with Valuev and maid of honor Princess Volkonskaya. On spent on repairs 25 thousand rubles Charlemagne arranged the reception hall, a church camp and dressing room in the basement. The Emperor had big plans for the completion and development of the place, the creation of the garden, the construction of the second floor, but his plans did not happen. Yielding to the entreaties of the governor of New Russia of Count Vorontsov, he visited his estate in the Crimea and in early November, he has returned to Taganrog quite sick. Two weeks later, he died, being in this same residence.

In February 1826, the mayor of Taganrog has received notice from the imperial court that Elizabeth A., wife of the deceased Emperor wants to buy a house in memory of her husband. Was compiled inventory left in the "house of the Empress in Taganrog", the entire layout was to remain unchanged, becoming the exposure, recalling the visit of the emperor here. So there was a museum in Taganrog memory of Alexander I - the first museum of its kind in Russia Memorial. At the gates of the museum stood guard, the building was maintained at the expense of the imperial court.

In 1837, the palace has visited the future heir to the throne, Alexander II with his mentor Zhukovsky, and in 1870 - his son, the future Emperor Alexander III, in 1872 - again, Alexander II, when he was on the throne of Empress Maria Alexandrovna and the Grand Duke Sergei and Pavel Alexandrovich . Life Palace enjoyed the attention of visitors and locals. Every visitor had to sign the visitors' book of the palace, among them are the names of many famous writers, artists, public figures: VA Zhukovsky, Ivan Aivazovsky, SA Yesenin, A. Durov, Commissar of Education A . Lunacharsky, all 40 volumes of books collected yet! The interior of the palace remained practically unchanged for a hundred years.

The house-museum was under imperial patronage before the revolution of 1917, and after his story began a new challenging phase. In 1930, the head of the City Museum was appointed Latvian arrows Otto Lapin, for a few months, he has destroyed the former museum of Alexander I, furniture and valuables were sold the palace church, memorial rooms turned into communal flats. Materials stored there since 1825 have been lost. After 1960, the building housed a children's TB sanatorium, later - Nephrology resort.
  Since 2009 began a new stage in the history of the palace - began its reconstruction and revival of the status of the memorial museum, reminding us of the personality of Alexander I.