Gatchina - a museum-reserve, which should be visited necessarily!

Among the museums and attractions of the St. Petersburg region a special place is occupied by Gatchina. The museum-reserve enjoys an incredible popularity among tourists. What is remarkable about this palace and park ensemble and what is its history?

The construction of the royal residence

The history of the palace begins in 1765. Then Catherine II bought the "Gatchina Manor" and presented it to Count G. Orlov, thanking him in this way for his support during the palace coup. The palace was built according to the design of the famous architect Antonio Rinaldi. The residence combines the style of an English hunting castle with a Russian farm. Gatchina - a museum-reserve, located on 146 hectares. The area around the Grand Palace was designed in English style, and it was here that the first landscape park in Russia appeared. At the same time here were built: the grotto "Echo", Chesme Obelisk, Octagonal Well.

Historical facts and changes in the palace and park ensemble

Count Orlov died in 1783, and Gatchina was inherited by his relatives. Then Catherine II again redeemed the palace and park complex and gave it to her son Pavel, who later became Emperor Paul the First. It was at that time that the State Museum-Reserve Gatchina, which was the royal residence, acquired its modern look. Under the direction of the architect Vincenzo Brenna and the landscape designer, as they say today, James Geket, the palace and the adjacent park are changing their outlines. There is a huge amount of decorative and economic buildings, new gates and bridges. At the same time, in addition to the palace park, there are regular gardens and the park Sylvia. In 1798 the Priory Palace was built , the chief architect - NA Lvov. In 1828, Nicholas I stayed in Gatchina during seasonal maneuvers in Krasnoye Selo.

Organization of the Museum-Reserve

The Grand Palace and the adjacent park were open to tourists in 1918. But short-lived mere mortals were destined to admire the royal interiors and architecture. The Palace and Park Museum-Reserve (Gatchina) was significantly destroyed during the Second World War. Suffered not only the main buildings, but also pavilions, and decorative buildings, part of the trees was cut down. Immediately after the war, reconstruction work began. However, there were no speeches about the complete restoration of the Great Palace, but many small buildings were erected anew. In 1976, the main work began on the return of the former appearance to the interiors and the facade of the main building. And after 9 years the museum began its work again, offering visitors to the inspection of several rooms. Today Gatchina is open for visiting. During the tour, you can stroll around the park, as well as explore the Great Palace.

Gatchina, museum-reserve: address and useful information for tourists

The exact address of the palace and park complex: St. Petersburg region, Gatchina, Krasnoarmeysky Avenue, possession 1. Excursions in the museum are held from Tuesday to Sunday inclusive, from 10 am to 6 pm. Monday is a day off. Gatchina (museum-reserve) offers various excursion programs dedicated to individual periods of the history of the palace and park complex. Festivals, exhibitions, performances and other cultural events are also often held here. On weekends and holidays, you can see professional actors dressed in the court fashion of bygone times. In addition, Gatchina (museum-reserve) offers marriage registration ceremonies, also there are graduation kindergartens and balls. In the summer, many people come here only to stroll through the beautiful park and take vivid photographs. The entrance to the territory of the reserve is free, the visit to the Grand Palace and excursion services are paid separately. By public transport, you can get to the museum by train from the Baltic station or from the Moskovskaya metro station by buses and shuttle buses No. 18, 18A and 431. Expect the time of arrival in the reserve, to inspect the park and the exposition of the Great Palace, you need at least 2- 3 hours.