Catherine palace tour

Tour details

Catherine Palace and its surrounding park in Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin) are among the most magnificent examples of Russian imperial grandeur, offering a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the Russian tsars. The palace, originally built in the early 18th century, is a stunning example of Baroque architecture designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli. It was expanded and redesigned in the mid-1700s to become the luxurious summer residence of the Russian imperial family.

Catherine Park is equally as impressive. It is designed in the English landscape style and filled with winding paths, ornamental ponds, and charming pavilions, offering a serene escape for visitors.

The Amber Room, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” is one of the most extraordinary masterpieces of Baroque art and craftsmanship, celebrated for its breathtaking beauty and intricate design. Its creation began in 1701 through an international collaboration, involving Schlüter, a German sculptor, and Wolfram, a Danish amber craftsman. Initially designed for a palace in Prussia, the Amber Room was gifted to Peter the Great in 1716 by Frederick William I of Prussia as a diplomatic gesture to strengthen the alliance between Prussia and Russia.

Upon its arrival in Russia, the Amber Room was originally installed in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. However,later it was relocated to Catherine Palace, where the renowned Italian architect Francesco Rastrelli was tasked with expanding and redesigning the room to fit the grand scale of its new setting. Rastrelli’s redesign added intricate ornamental details, transforming the room into an even more opulent space.

The Amber Room was composed of over 6 tons of amber, and its walls were adorned with intricate amber panels, mirrors, gilded carvings, and gold leaf, all of which created an ethereal, glowing effect. This stunning fusion of amber and fine craftsmanship made it one of Russia’s most celebrated treasures, symbolizing the wealth and artistic prowess of the Russian Empire.

For centuries, the Amber Room stood as a symbol of Russian imperial luxury and was admired by visitors and historians alike. Its reputation grew over time as one of the most extraordinary works of art in the world, attracting the awe of all who beheld it. Tragically, the Amber Room was lost during World War II when the Nazis invaded and stole it in 1941. Despite efforts to recover it, the original Amber Room has never been found, and its disappearance has become one of history’s greatest mysteries.

Today, replicas of the Amber Room have been created and can be found in the Catherine Palace, closely resembling the original in both design and beauty, ensuring that the legend of this Baroque masterpiece endures.