Duration: 6 hours
Activity level: Moderate/ Hard
Straight out of a fairy tale, Gatchina Residence is unlike any other palace in or around Saint- Petersburg. Although rarely visited by foreign tourists due to it being slightly further away than Peterhof or Pushkin it is still a must see.
Austere and elegant, it could be actually called a charming exile place as it served as shelter for several generations of the Russian nobles. The castle-style palace was built for Count Orlov, a favorite of Catherine II with whom she dethroned her husband. But soon she fell out of love and forgot both the palace and the lover. Later the estate passed to her son Paul whom she never loved and almost deprived him of his right to the crown. After ascending to power, Paul I made Gatchina his official residence with numerous stunning ceremonial interiors. In the late 19th century, after the assassination of Alexander II, the residence was chosen by his son Alexander III as living place for the family due to its safe and remote location.
Discover the love story without happy ending of the “Glorious Eagle and the Great”, reveal the mysteries of Russian Hamlet and get acquainted with “the Hermit of Gatchina” and his daily life, the life of the Tsar-Peacemaker, who was also called the “Russian Bear” for his strength and bravery. After visiting Gatchina Palace you may choose between a walk in the Park with the tour around the lake to the Island of Love and Venus pavilion or a visit to the Priory Palace, a unique building constructed by the order of Paul I to be a ceremonial meeting place for the knights of the Maltese Order.
The Priory Palace is located on the shores of the Black Lake, a mile away from the Great Palace. Everything is unusual here. This is a palace where the Tsars never lived; the four facades of the building look different – the kitchen reminds a Russian log hut, the retaining wall looks like a fortress, and the southern façade looks like a chapel. The Priory is the only architectural monument in Russia built using rammed earth (adobe brick) technique.
It is known that from childhood, Paul I was interested in the history of the Maltese Order of St. John, and was shocked by the fall of Malta. In 1798, Paul I ordered the construction of the Priory Building and later, after becoming the Grand Master of the Order of Malta the emperor became the rightful owner of the Priory palace.
Rumor has it that there was a secret passage between the castle and the Priory. In fact, during the restoration work, a tunnel was discovered, and although a brave one walked about a hundred meters along the corridor, it remains unknown where the tunnel leads.
P.S. Some people say that during White Nights period the Phantom of the Emperor Paul I appears to the guests of the residence on the paths of the Gardens. Would you like to pay a visit to the Russia`s most mysterious Emperor?
Key information
Min. group size: 2 persons.
Languages available: English, French, Italian, German and others upon request.
Meeting point
We will pick-up you from your hotel in St. Petersburg or at sea port (for cruise travellers).
Additionally
Includes a visit to Great palace, Park or Priory palace. Visit to all sights in one day is available upon request.
