Oranienbaum ensemble with palace

Welcome to Oranienbaum, a brilliant palace and park ensemble situated on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland. Unlike the other famous suburbs of Saint Petersburg, Oranienbaum holds a unique distinction: it was the only…

The Great Menshikov Palace is the oldest building in Oranienbaum, constructed between 1711 and 1727. Its scale 'staggered the imagination' even in Peter the Great's time, especially when compared to the relatively modest imperial…

The most spacious and magnificent room on the second floor is the Central Great Hall. During Menshikov's time, this room featured 'carved wooden panels and leather wallpaper,' typical of the early 18th-century style. …

Adjoining the main hall is the 'Raspberry Drawing Room,' a space that exemplifies the mid-19th-century taste of Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna. The room is named for the 'rich shade of silk' that covers the walls, a reconstruction…

Continuing our exploration of the private wing, we enter the 'Large Cabinet' and 'Bedroom' of Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna. These rooms offer a glimpse into the personality of a woman who played a 'key role' in the cultural life…

A short walk from the Menshikov Palace brings you to the Chinese Palace, built between 1762 and 1768. This was the personal residence of Catherine the Great and is considered one of the 'top five most beautiful imperial palaces'…

Oranienbaum is also home to two of the most unusual structures in the Saint Petersburg area: the Sliding Hill (Katalnaya Gorka) Pavilion and the remains of the Peterstadt fortress. The Sliding Hill Pavilion, built in 1774, was a…

As our tour of Oranienbaum concludes, take a moment to appreciate the sheer luck and dedication that has preserved this ensemble. In a region where almost every other historical site was reduced to rubble during the Second World…