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The Palace-and-Park ensemble of Tsarskoye Selo - a former country residence of the Russian emperors - is a fascinating monument of the world's architectural and gardening arts of the XVIII - XIX centuries. Its three parks occupy the area of 600 ha, with over 100 architectural constructions: from magnificent palaces and grand monuments to hidden bridges, intimate pavilions and park sculpture. Strolling through the alleys of these parks, you will be fascinated with the views of whimsical lodges, elegant classical buildings, many monuments executed in marble, exotic constructions designed to imitate gothic style, and also Turkish and Chinese styled buildings which lend the park a romantic air.
The compositional centre of the ensemble is the Catherine's Palace, containing exquisite decorative objects, furniture, Russian and West-European paintings, unique collections of porcelain, amber, arms, decorative bronze, sculptures, etc. In 1708-1724 Tsarskaya Grange was the residence of Peter the Great's wife, Empress Catherine I. From 1741 Tsarskoye Selo became the residence of Empress Elizabeth. In 1752 -1756, during the reign of Empress Elizabeth, the architect Rastrelli created a magnificent palace, a brilliant masterpiece of Baroque. The architect took advantage of all the Baroque exuberance in ornamental depiction.
At the same time the Hermitage and Grotto Pavilions were built, regular Upper and Lower Gardens were laid out, and the Lower Garden was decorated with sculptures. In 1811 the northern wing of the Great Palace was turned into a Lyceum - an elite school for the boys from the noble families. In the first intake of 1811 there was Alexander Pushkin, the most famous Russian Poet. It was in Tsarskoye Selo where he started writing poems and won his first popularity. His dormitory on the third floor of the Lyceum as well as the cottage he and his wife lived in some years later are now Pushkin Museums. In 1900 for the 100th anniversary of Pushkin's birth the monument to the poet was established. Since 1937 the city was renamed Pushkin, in honour of the poet. In the early 1990s the original name Tsarskoye Selo was returned to the place.
During the reign of Catherine II (1760-1790) the ensemble of Tsarskoye Selo was supplemented by the creations of Rinaldi, Felten, Cameron and Qvarenghi. The Cold Bath-house, the Agate Pavilion, the Hanging Gardens with a sloping platform, and the Cameron Gallery, which represent the prominent masterpieces of the classical architecture were erected to the drawings of Cameron. The palace is open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
In one of the most picturesque suburban parks - the Alexander Park in Tsarskoye Selo - there's a palace that until recently used to be a kind of a pretty set piece decorating the park. The doors were closed, and only a few people knew the story behind this unusual setting. However, the Alexander Palace as well as the events that took place in it played one of the leading roles in the life of the Russian monarchy before its sunset: the palace was the last home of the last Russian Emperor.
Exposition The Last Home of the Last Russia's Tsar. Personal belongings of the family of Nicholas II
The true glory of the Palace is the Amber Room - the most mysterious of the world's works of art. The exquisite room made of several tons of the golden tree resin - the lightest gem in the world - is often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World".  The idea of decorating the interiors with amber (the material never used before) was of Andreas Schlueter, the court architect of the Prussian king Friedrich 1. Later in the days of Friedrich Wilhelm the room was presented to Peter the Great as a diplomatic gift. It was first displayed in Peter's Winter Palace. By orders of Empress Elizabeth the Amber panels were transferred to the Catherine Palace. The panels were not large enough to complete the new 100 m decor, so mosaic and mirror insets were added - four of them contain pictures made of semiprecious stones like quartz, jasmine, jade and onyx, and depicting five senses: Sight, Taste, Sound, Touch and Smell. In 1941, when Nazi troops were approaching Leningrad, hasty preparations were made to evacuate the most precious exhibits to a safer place. But the Amber Room was too fragile, so a decision was made to hide it under double walls with paintings of low value over them. When the German troops occupied the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo, the trick was disclosed. The Amber Room was dismantled and shipped to Eastern Prussia - Kenigsberg, now Russian port-city Kalinigrad. In Kenigsberg, the Amber Room was exhibited in the local castle. At the end of 1944 the Red Army approached Kenigsberg. The Amber Room was packed into boxes and evacuated. There its trace gets lost. There exist many versions of what happened to the Amber Room afterwards. But the fate of the Amber Room remains the mystery. The legend of the lost Amber Room has inspired films, thrillers and treasure hunters.  In 1979 a decision was made to reconstruct the Amber Room. Reconstructed and reborn Amber Room was opened on 31 May, 2003. The restoration works began in 1979 and cost about $11 mln. 6 tons of raw amber were needed for the restoration, only about 800 kg is the amount of amber on the walls. |
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