The facade
Two polygonal towers.
Tsyganov Sergey — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Игорь Гордеев — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Игорь Гордеев — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Monoklon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Monoklon — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Great Gatchina Palace stands in the town of Gatchina in Leningrad Oblast, about 43 km south of central Saint Petersburg in a straight line. It sits on a hill in the town centre beside Lake Serebryany, and has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. The Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi built it between 1766 and 1781 for Count Grigory Orlov, a favourite of Empress Catherine the Great. The palace combines classical architecture with themes of a medieval castle and ornate interiors typical of Russian classicism, and its facades were faced in local limestone. It became one of the Imperial Family's favourite residences and has been a museum and public park since 1917. The palace's long, pale-stone facade, with two polygonal towers and curving wings, wraps around a wide parade ground, and a vast park of lawns, trees and lakes surrounds it. At night the facade is lit and glows gold. Visitors tour the palace halls and then the large park around the lake; the visit takes half a day, and Gatchina makes a day trip from Saint Petersburg. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Russia, and non-Russian bank cards may not work, so read the current advice before you plan.
Two polygonal towers.
Lakes and lawns.
A golden facade.
Gatchina, Leningrad Oblast, Russia
Yes, from Saint Petersburg.
Half a day.