During the restoration of 1966–80 in the north-eastern corner of the Large Chamber a fragment of the unique flat wood-and-brick ceiling from 1710 was discovered. The Menshikov Palace is the only place in St Petersburg where such a structure has survived. This type of ceiling is distinctive in having the spaces between the wooden joists filled (wedged) with bricks that strengthened the floor above and made it possible to plaster the ceiling below smoothly, in keeping with the latest European fashion, and to line it with a painted canvas or decorative fabrics, or to have painting done directly upon it. Such ceilings also improved the fire-resistance of the building