The plot of land on which the Mikhailovsky Garden is located was given by Peter I in 1712 for the residence of his wife, Empress Catherine. On the site where the Rossi Pavilion now stands, a small wooden palace called the "Golden Chambers" was built. The Golden Chambers were named not by chance. Their tiled roof was adorned with a tall golden spire. The walls of some rooms were covered from floor to ceiling with pieces of gilded leather.

In the Mikhailovsky Garden, on the bank of the Moika River, exactly where this palace once stood, in 1823 architect Carlo Rossi was commissioned to design a pavilion-landing stage. Initially, he planned to build two identical buildings, but in the end, only one pavilion was constructed at the eastern corner of the garden. The location of the pavilion still causes debate. According to one version, Rossi placed the pavilion structure on the same axis as the Field of Mars and the monument to A. V. Suvorov. In doing so, the architect linked the two ensembles into a single whole.

On July 26, 1823, Emperor Alexander I approved the plan for the pavilion with the landing stage and railings. In 1825, construction of the pavilion was completed.

It consisted of two square rooms connected by a Doric colonnade. From the pavilion to the water stretched a granite terrace-landing stage, enclosed by an openwork cast-iron railing.

An inventory compiled on October 10, 1825, has been preserved, providing a comprehensive idea of the building's appearance and decor. The foundations, plinth, eight-step staircases, and the terrace between the rooms were made of Putilov stone. The columns inside and outside had capitals and fluting. The frieze and parapet featured molded rosettes, mascarons, and wreaths. The rooms were decorated with painted figures on the ceiling and stencil arabesques. The window arches and cornices were painted to resemble stucco work. The rooms housed mahogany furniture with upholstery matching the wall finishes: chairs, tables, sofas, and wall mirrors. Curtains with valances, jambs, and festoons trimmed with galloon cords, tassels, and fringe hung on the windows. The pavilion consisted of two symmetrical rooms with similar decor and furnishings. They differed only in wall color and corresponding upholstery color. The furnishing of the two symmetrical rooms allows us to judge the pavilion's purpose. It was used as a place of rest during walks and shelter from bad weather or heat, serving as a landing for the royal family's small boats. During water outings, one could stop in the garden to rest or play cards.

The pavilion's exterior has not changed since its construction, except for the facade color. The inventory lists the wall color as gray instead of yellow.

After the major renovation of the Mikhailovsky Garden, a bust of Rossi, based on the original by Pimenov (1812–1864), was installed in the pavilion.

Currently, the pavilion houses a café.

Sources

http://www.visit-petersburg.ru/ru/showplace/196913/

https://www.citywalls.ru/house14936.html