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Gatchina is a small town located about
50 km south from St Petersburg. In
1766 the Empress Catherine II employed
the architect Antonio Rinaldi to build the
palace for her favourite Grigory Orlov.
The building was designed as a
combination of a medieval castle and
country residence. After Orlov’s death in
1783 Catherine II presented the palace to
her son Paul I and since then the Grand
Gatchina Palace became one of the
imperial residences.
The palace was reconstructed and
expanded several times and at last it
became a unique monument of
architectural and interior art of the tsar
epoch.
After 1917 the palace was turned to
museum. Unfortunately, the building was
badly damaged during the Second World
War. The restoration of the palace began
in 1961. Many premises are already open
for visiting.
You will enjoy the exhibitions of paintings,
arms, porcelain, furniture and clothes
belonged to the tsar family.
Take a look at the beautiful Chesmen
Gallery and a church. Explore the Signal
Tower and subterranean passage to feel
inside XVIII-XIX century epoch.
And don’t miss the picturesque Gatchina
Park one fourth of which is occupied by
the lakes, pounds and canals. There are
many bridges, pavilions and other
architect works that decorate the park.
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