Catherine Palace and Park
- Address:Sadovaya St., 7 (Садовая ул., 7), St. Petersberg
- Hours:Park open daily. Palace closed Tuesdays and last Monday of the month
- Admission:Free
Cultural Experience, Must-Do Experience, Museum, Palace, Park / Garden
4:36 AM Monday, May 28
Fog. Cool.
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Catherine Palace (Екатерининский дворец) is one of Russia’s former imperial palaces and summer residence to its tsar’s built on the orders of Catherine I. Now a museum, the baroque style palace has a neoclassical interior that exemplifies Russian wealth and extravagance.
The palace is best known for the grand suit Golden Enfilade (анфилад), which was designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, containing the ballroom known as the Grand Hall or Hall of Lights, and Art Galleries (Большому залу и Картинной галерее); with an immaculate ceiling painting, and sprawls out with distinctively decorated smaller rooms.
Outside the palace is the divine Catherine Park (Екатерининский парк), comprised of 2 parts including the old garden and English Park (Английского парка).
Designed by master Dutch gardeners Jan Roosen and Johan Vocht during the 18th century, the garden contains various elements including the Vangaza stream, which flows down to the Upper and Mill ponds. The pond also contains 2 bathhouses that were added in the 1770’s and sports an impressive 12 weirs.
Latest Reviews All Catherine Palace and Park Reviews »
Small group tour, in a small bus (or may be some might call it a van). We were 7 in the group. Pleasant friendly guide Nida. She knew the history reasonably well and offered relevant information at the sites. Catherine's place is so over the top...with gold gold gold everywhere. The amber room was remarkably small compared to the other rooms. On the other hand the Pavlov palace was so much nicer, appeared people actually lived there. The Russian monarchy was strange and filled with stranger stories of love and betrayal. I am glad the revolution occurred! I would definitely recommend seeing both the places as they are 10 min from each ore.
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The personal tour was good. The guide was very informed. As it was a slow day, of sorts, we got through Catherine Palace early enough. Because of that, we went to another palace of Paul the First, that was so good. In quality, I think it was every bit as good as the Catherine Palace. In some ways, maybe better.
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The mammoth palace stands at an astounding 325 meters (1,000 feet) long, and is located only about 12 miles or 25 km from St. Petersberg, making it a popular and convenient attraction for the hundreds of thousands of visitors that come every year. Although lacking in city transportation, there is a nearby rail station, only a 5-minute ride from the city that brings you within walking distance of the palace and park. Many nearby hotels also offer guided tours of the palace, so book in advance.
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