The Palace of Culture on Stachek Square opened on November 8, 1927, for the tenth anniversaryof October Revolution.  It was named after the writer Maxim Gorky and eventually becameone of the largest houses of culture in the USSR. The Palace building was built according to theproject of architects Alexander Gegello and Alexander Dmitriev.

Nationally famous artistic persons performed on the stage of the Palace: VladimirMayakovsky, Zinaida Reich, Leonid Utyosov. Gorky Culture Palace didn’t cease workingeven during the hard days of the Leningrad Blockade. Theatrical productions, concerts and aChristmas tree celebrations for children were held here. Today, a new cultural center has been created in thePalace building. After reconstruction, it received a new name — "Artlo". There are twoauditoriums in the Palace of Arts — the Large and the Small one. Performances, musicals,musical concerts and creative evenings continue to take place here.