Gatchina Palace

Welcome to Gatchina Palace, a spectacular imperial residence located 28 miles southwest of St. Petersburg. …

We begin our interior tour in the White Hall, the largest and most magnificent room in the palace. This hall was the center of social life at Gatchina, used for grand balls, concerts, and receptions. …

In the private wing of the palace, we find a much different atmosphere: the domestic life of Alexander III and his family. Unlike his predecessors, Alexander III lived here for exactly thirteen years in relatively modest rooms,…

One of the most intriguing features of Gatchina is the 130-meter underground passage that leads from the palace basement to the shore of Silver Lake. Built by the palace's first owner, Grigory Orlov, this tunnel was later…

Stepping out from the palace or the tunnel, we enter the Gatchina Park, arguably the most beautiful landscaped garden in Russia. The park is centered around several spring-fed lakes, such as the White Lake and Silver Lake, which…

Deep within the park lies one of Gatchina's most famous architectural 'jokes'—the Birch House. Built in the 1780s by a Swiss architect, the building appears from the outside to be nothing more than a simple pile of logs, meant to…

Our final interior stop is the Chesme Gallery, which before World War II was among the most magnificent halls in the palace. It was dedicated to the Russian naval victory over the Turks at the Battle of Chesme, a pivotal moment…

As we leave the Gatchina Palace and step back onto the pedestrian streets of the town, we carry with us a complex picture of Russian history. We have seen the stern military discipline of Paul I and the cozy family life of…