Gatchina Palace
Photo: Florstein (Telegram:WikiPhoto.Space), CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The only castle among St. Petersburg's suburbs — a gift to a favorite for a coup.
In 1765 Catherine II bought the Gatchina estate and gave it to Grigory Orlov — in gratitude for the coup that made her empress. For Orlov, the Italian Antonio Rinaldi built a palace combining a Russian country estate and an English hunting castle. Thus Gatchina became the only castle among St. Petersburg's suburbs. Later Paul I lived here, and after him Alexander III, who valued Gatchina for its seclusion and safety. The palace stands on a hill above the White and Silver lakes, and from the windows you can see the water change color.
Tip: Inside there is an underground passage from the palace to the lake — it is sometimes opened to visitors. Check in advance.
Walks in Peterhof / Day trips
🏰 Gatchina: Orlov's castle and a palace made of earth
The only castle in the suburbs of Petersburg, the earth-built Priory Palace and the radial Sylvia Park.