Russia Landmarks. St. Petersburg suburbs. Gatchina Castle.

Gatchina Palace is a kind of unique structure, it is the only palace in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, built in the form of an ancient castle, in addition, he became one of the first buildings, laid out pudostskogo expensive stone. Gatchina Palace was built for 15 years and then rebuilt several times, depending on the fashions and tastes of the owners.

In its creation and registration of architects Antonio Rinaldi and Vincenzo Brenna, Andrei Zakharov and Andrei Voronikhin, Roman Kuzmin, and many other talented architects, decorators and artists.

To date, the palace is not fully restored, and when all of its rooms are open to visitors, a museum complex in Gatchina area exceeds the Russian Museum.

The scale of this huge palace and park complex can imagine, if you climb to the signal tower, which leads to the step 191. From here you will see Gatchina, at a glance. Signal this tower named under Nicholas I, when the optical telegraph was installed on it.

about the Great Patriotic War, it was one of the largest museums in St. Petersburg, there were more than 54,000 exhibits. Unfortunately, not all of them were rescued during the occupation of the city by the German invaders, many after the war came to other museums, but all the same core values ​​returned to the museum complex of Gatchina.

Restoring the interiors of the palace was carried out on the photographs taken during the inventory in 1938 and the surviving watercolors of famous masters.

From the photographs, you can compare the restored rooms with the destroyed premises, which left the occupants. On one of the walls of a German soldier he wrote: "Here we no longer go back, and if Ivan comes, everything will be empty." It is hard to even imagine how much work is done restorers and painters, sculptors and decorators to re-create the unique interiors.

The interior impresses with its luxury rooms, many of the values ​​made known sculptors, painters and craftsmen, were purchased in the XVIII century in Europe, and after the war took its historic place.

Pay attention to the floor, covered with parquet floor, each room is original and he is not only a picture, but the varieties of wood, from which made. Ceilings in all rooms with fancy stucco and ornament depicting ancient scenes. In the center of many of the ceiling placed them with more elaborate paintings.

Total in the palace throne room there were four, but was considered the most important Upper Throne room, catching an abundance of decorative finishes and gilding. Elegant tapestries that adorn the walls, were presented by Louis XVI to Prince Paul Petrovich and Marie Feodorovna during their trip to Europe in 1781. Looking to keep drawing and bright colors, it is difficult to believe that these works of more than 200 years. Plated armrests and legs of the throne of Paul I in the form of goals and griffin feet.

Especially delicious and White Picture Hall and is considered the most elegant Crimson room, decorated with tapestries on the theme of "The History of Don Quixote." The main dining room decorated with marble - it is 16 Corinthian columns made of Carrara marble.

In the suite of ceremonial halls present and Parade bedchamber, where the bed of the Empress Maria Feodorovna separated by a balustrade. This underlines its inviolability. On this bed nobody ever slept just this room is always necessary in a series of state rooms.

Armory and Chesme gallery undoubtedly cause interest among men and boys. The Armoury Gallery exhibits a unique weapon collection of more than 1,000 items. Solemn Chesme gallery dedicated to the victory in the Battle of Chesma, - one of the best creations of Vincenzo Brenna. The walls of the gallery are decorated with mirrors, stucco ornaments, and three huge canvases Philip Gakkerta depicting battle scenes.

In the XVIII century, Count Grigory Orlov built an underground passage from the palace to the Silver lake and grotto "Echo". See this old building can be during the tour. If, while in the underground passage, you ask out loud, "Who here four years rules" echo will answer: "Paveeel". (Echo repeats the last syllables).

Palace in Gatchina not like the other buildings in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, there is no ostentatious glitz and the huge flow of tourists. However, many who visited here, come here again to see the recreated rooms, to recall the history of the Russian state and enjoy the magnificent scenery.