Catherine Palace - Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments
Puschkin, Russian Federation
22.07.2016
The Catherine Palace - A Marvel of Russian Architecture
The Katharinenpalast, also known as the Catherine Palace, is a grand Baroque palace located in the town of Puschkin in the Russian Federation. It was originally built in 1717 for Empress Catherine I of Russia and was later expanded and renovated by her daughter, Empress Elizabeth. The palace is a true masterpiece of Russian architecture, with its opulent interiors and stunning gardens.
The palace is named after Empress Catherine I, who commissioned the original building. However, it was Empress Elizabeth who truly made the palace what it is today. She hired renowned architects such as Bartolomeo Rastrelli to expand and redesign the palace, adding more than 100 rooms and creating the famous Amber Room.
One of the most impressive features of the Catherine Palace is the Amber Room, a room entirely covered in amber panels and mirrors. The original Amber Room was dismantled and stolen by the Nazis during World War II, but has since been reconstructed and restored to its former glory. It is now considered one of the greatest works of art in the world.
The palace also boasts beautiful gardens, with the most famous being the Great Pond and the Cameron Gallery. The Great Pond is a large body of water surrounded by manicured lawns and dotted with charming pavilions. The Cameron Gallery, designed by Scottish architect Charles Cameron, is a long colonnade that leads to a Chinese-inspired garden.
The Catherine Palace has seen its fair share of history. It was the summer residence of the Russian tsars and was used as a military hospital during World War I. During World War II, it was occupied by the Nazis and suffered significant damage. However, it has been meticulously restored and is now a popular tourist attraction, showcasing the grandeur of Russian architecture and design.
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The 'Venice of the North', with its numerous canals and more than 400 bridges, is the result of a vast urban project begun in 1703 under Peter the Great. Later known as Leningrad (in the former USSR), the city is closely associated with the October Revolution. Its architectural heritage reconciles the very different Baroque and pure neoclassical styles, as can be seen in the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, the Marble Palace and the Hermitage.
The Catherine Palace (Russian: Екатерининский дворец, romanized: Yekaterininskiy dvorets, IPA: [jɪkətʲɪˈrʲinʲɪnskʲɪj dvɐˈrʲets]) is a Rococo palace in Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), located 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of St. Petersburg, Russia. It was the summer residence of the Russian tsars. The palace is part of the World Heritage Site Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments.
The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments is the name used by UNESCO when it collectively designated the historic core of the Russian city of St. Petersburg, as well as buildings and ensembles located in the immediate vicinity as a World Heritage Site in 1991.
The site was recognised for its architectural heritage, fusing Baroque, Neoclassical, and traditional Russian-Byzantine influences.
