Excursions

The Grand Palace at Gatchina is perhaps the most unusual and individual of St. Petersburg's suburban Imperial palaces, although the modesty of its architectural decorations makes it far less striking at first glance than the brightly coloured, stucco covered facades at Pavlovsk and Tsarskoe Selo. Perhaps the most neglected of St. Petersburg's suburban palaces in the post-war period, Gatchina is also probably the most lived-in, with four Tsars considering it their family home. The palace building is both imposing and welcoming, presenting a sweeping semi-circular facade of classical simplicity on one side, and a more fanciful rear, with two slim hexagonal towers creating the atmosphere of a medieval castle. Among other displays of interest housed in the Grand Palace, the Exhibition of Weaponry has over 1000 items of ceremonial arms and armour that once belonged to the Imperial family. Like many of the other suburban palaces, Gatchina also displays several fine 18th and 19th century works from the renowned Imperial Porcelain Factory.

Dates

Rates

On request