Grand Catherine Palace

Catherine Palace was built in 1724 for Peter’s wife Catherine I, at the time it was small and rather modest. It was then rebuilt for Elizabeth Petrovna by the brilliant Baroque master Rastrelli – that’s when it got its current magnificent appearance. Equally luxuriously Rastrelli decorated the inner apartments of the palace. The Parade Enfilade, richly decorated with gilded wood carvings, was called the Golden Enfilade. It begins with the Great Hall of 1000 square meters, glittering with gold and flooded with light from the huge two-tier windows. It was where festivals and costume balls were held in Elizabeth’s time.

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Some of the rooms were later remodeled for Catherine II, who was fond of antique art, according to fashionable classical tastes by the Scottish architect Cameron. The later decorated Parade Room of Alexander I is dedicated to glorifying the victory of the Russian army in the war with Napoleon. The marble Parade Staircase in the “second rococo” style is impressive. The unique collections of porcelain, amber, artistic bronze, antique furniture and paintings of the palace are interesting. But, of course, the main pearl of the Catherine Palace is the famous Amber Room, quite justifiably called one of the wonders of the world, lost during the war and recreated in 2003 by master restorers. When you’re in it, it feels as if you’ve suddenly shrunk in size and found yourself inside an exquisite amber box. Be prepared that it is always packed with admiring tourists. Keep in mind that it is forbidden to take photos in it, so just enjoy the sight and the guide’s story, and buy postcards and books with photos later in the museum store.

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Visitors

  • Open every day except Tues and the last Fri of the month
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  • The ticket office is open from 10.00 to 18.00. On holidays and school vacations, as well as during the summer season (from May to September), ticketed visitors are served from 12.00 to 14.00 and from 16.00 to 17.00
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  • Inspection – 1 hour. Entrance – 320 p., students and pensioners – 160 p., schoolchildren – 100 p. The cost of excursion service for Russian visitors is included in the ticket price.
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