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Catherine Palace's three connected parks cover 600 hectares (1,483 acres). Scattered throughout this large tract are water features and out buildings decorated in various styles (gothic, Turkish, Chinese, "Neptune," etc). We had a partial tour and then could stroll the paths on our own for a bit.
This yellow building was the banya or sauna house for the palace.
We saw this Venetian gondola transporting supplies on one of several lakes.
Across that lake was the Turkish bath house.
The Grotto Pavilion. A lot of ocean art features incorporated in the design.
We couldn't go inside. Well, we could go in, but could not get out until the live concert going on there was finished. But I got a camera shot through the door. The acoustics were fabulous, even from outside.
There are over 100 sculpture and war memorials throughout the huge park lands.
A river water feature.
This was the Little Hermitage Pavilion at Catherine I's palace. It was surround by a moat for extra privacy. The dining room had a number of special features. The table could be raised or lowered from flat floor level to table height. One's individual serving position could be raised and lowered as well. You would put your menu or drink order on your serving spot. It would lower down to the kitchen level and be processed. Your completed order would be raised back up and ready to eat. This allowed total privacy for guests, so servants could not overhear conversations. I wish we could have gone inside this one!
This was the last building on the way out. It was the original kitchen area for the palace.
More photos and info at: http://www.saint-petersburg.com/pushkin/catherine-palace/
AN ASIDE: Pushkin is the sister city of Kalamazoo, Michign (our home town).
Across that lake was the Turkish bath house.
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