Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo), Russia

Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo) is located 24 km from St. Petersburg. Pushkin's most interesting attraction is the magnificent Catherine's Palace, a shining example of Russian Baroque. Along the length of 300 m of the facade alternate white columns and pilasters with golden baroque ornaments. The history of the palace is closely connected with Catherine the Great, but nevertheless it was named after the second wife of Peter the Great - Catherine I. Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great, then Catherine the Great brought new elements in the reconstruction of the palace. However, the authentic appearance of the stunning facade, the work of Rastelli, is preserved to this day. During the occupation during World War II, the Nazis used the palace as barracks.
The most impressive room is the Great Hall, used to organize balls and receptions. Its longer walls are decorated with two rows of windows. The tall mirrors between them are placed in gilded, richly ornamented frames. There are also huge sunken frescoes on the walls depicting Russian military victories and achievements in science and art. On the north side of the grand staircase is the Amber Room. It owes its name to the fully engraved amber cladding that once adorned its walls, and was donated to Peter the Great by the King of Prussia at the conclusion of the Treaty of 1716. Amber cladding, among many other valuables, disappeared during the Nazi occupation. In 1979, the Soviet government stopped searching for her and began restoring the premises. Other magnificent rooms include the Parade Blue Reception, the Chinese Blue Living Room and the People's Lobby. The original interior of the Chinese Blue Living Room is the work of architect Cameron. During the restoration, original drawings and the original silk were used to line the walls, which was found in one of the warehouses of the Hermitage.
Numerous marble statues, waterfalls, pavilions, bridges and piers are scattered among the alleys and lakes of Catherine Park. The English Garden is no less interesting. Here is the gallery of Cameron, where national costumes from the eighteenth - nineteenth century are exhibited. From the portico of the gallery reveals a wonderful view of the park and its lakes.