The court architect of Emperor Paul I-th. In 1780, arrived in Russia. Built the Mikhailovsky Palace and the obelisk to Rumyantsev. Died presumably in 1819 (Kondakov)
In the years 1781-1782 Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich and Maria Feodorovna under the name of Northern counts made a long trip to Europe. We visited them in Poland. There the heir to the throne and was recommended as an architect, an Italian who worked at that time in Poland, Vincenzo Brenna. Brenna accepts the flattering invitation and a year later gets to work in a country residence of Grand Duke Paul Pavlovsk. Here, he takes an active part in the reconstruction of the Palace, implements one of the most romantic whims of an heir — the construction of the fortress BIP, raises numerous Park pavilions and is a talented artist-designer performs the layout of whole areas of the huge Park. At the same time Brenna works in Gatchina Park. With the ascension of Paul I to the throne, Brenna is entrusted the supervision of the construction of Mikhailovsky castle. After the death of Catherine II Paul I, as you know, replaced all of the highest-ranking officials. He did it in such a way that it is not limited only to the walls of the ministries and departments. The changes touched even such institutions as the Hermitage. The resignation was sent to many leading cadres of the Museum. In their place came new people. So, the Keeper of the Department of drawings and prints has become a favorite architect of the Emperor Brenna. After the unexpected death of Emperor Paul I, the mortal turned out to be irrelevant. Quietly dried up orders, before the abundance comes from the Royal office. Brenna decided not to tempt fate. He tendered his resignation, which was immediately signed by Alexander I. Brenna left Russia forever the greatest architect of the Pavlovsk period of construction.
