This is an aerial view from the back looking toward the front gate of Catherine's Palace (from Saint-Petersburg.com). Lyceum is to the right. Not shown to the left is Catherine the Great's more modern addition and the gardens.
Here is our ticket into Catherine's Palace. This is not Catherine the Great, but Catherine I (PtG's second wife). She ruled Russia for two years after her husband's death. The palace is located in Pushkin (or Tsarskoye Selo), about 15 miles south of SP.
In 1717, it started as a modest two-story structure commissioned by PtG for Catherine's summer time pleasure. In 1743, her daughter Empress Elizabeth (father was PtG) decided to demolish the original structure and build a much grander edifice in the Rococo style.
Not only was Elizabeth extravagant in her home-style taste, but also in her wardrobe. She is said to have owned 2,000 pairs of shoes.
Here was our side entrance.
The Imperial Lyceum, yellow rounded neoclassical building, was nearby. Tsar Alexander I founded this educational institution in 1811. The goal was for children of the upper class to be schooled here and later be ready for assignments to important government positions.
One of the first graduates was the famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin (whom this town was named after). It is attached to the palace with an arch and bridge. In 1844, the Lyceum institution was moved to SP.
Once through the fancy iron gate we saw the expansive front yard of the palace. It was surrounded by a crescent of stables and guards quarters. At night these floodlights shine on the palace. I'm sure it is a splendid sight.
Here is detail of the formal palace entrance. Imagine carriages pulling through and up the drive to attend a masquerade party or diplomatic meeting.
A grand palace, indeed.
Royal entrance, but not where we entered.
You can see the onion domes of the Church of the Resurrection within the palace.
Other detail work.
These are also Atlases holding up the walls and pillars of the palace.
This was a building and statue we saw across the lawn. Wish I knew who the statue commemorates.
As we waited to enter, a band entertained us with Russian music. It felt like an official guest welcome.
Not only was Elizabeth extravagant in her home-style taste, but also in her wardrobe. She is said to have owned 2,000 pairs of shoes.
The Imperial Lyceum, yellow rounded neoclassical building, was nearby. Tsar Alexander I founded this educational institution in 1811. The goal was for children of the upper class to be schooled here and later be ready for assignments to important government positions.
One of the first graduates was the famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin (whom this town was named after). It is attached to the palace with an arch and bridge. In 1844, the Lyceum institution was moved to SP.
Once through the fancy iron gate we saw the expansive front yard of the palace. It was surrounded by a crescent of stables and guards quarters. At night these floodlights shine on the palace. I'm sure it is a splendid sight.
A grand palace, indeed.
You can see the onion domes of the Church of the Resurrection within the palace.
Other detail work.These are also Atlases holding up the walls and pillars of the palace.
Before starting the palace tour, we all put booties over our shoes to protect the floors. Looked like a bunch of elf feet.
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