The facade's gold-leaf ornamentation required over 100 kilograms of gold during the initial 18th-century construction.
The Amber Room was originally a gift from the King of Prussia to Peter the Great in 1716.
During the occupation of Pushkin in WWII, the original Amber Room was looted and subsequently disappeared, leading to a 24-year reconstruction project completed in 2003.
The palace's Great Hall, or 'Light Gallery', relies on double windows and mirrors to create the illusion of infinite space.
Empress Elizabeth Petrovna had the entire exterior facade repainted with gold leaf in the mid-18th century.
The palace houses a collection of over 20,000 items, including porcelain, furniture, and painting masterpieces.
The Catherine Palace is a focal point of the Tsarskoye Selo museum complex, designed primarily in the Russian Baroque style by Bartolomeo Rastrelli. The building is renowned for its 300-meter-long blue-and-white facade, embellished with ornate gilded stucco and statues. It served as the principal summer residence for Russian empresses, most notably Catherine the Great. The interior features a series of grand state rooms, including the Great Hall, characterized by mirrors and gold leaf. A major historical feature is the reconstructed Amber Room, which replicates a lost 18th-century masterpiece created from amber panels and gold leaf. The palace is integrated into a vast landscape park featuring both French formal gardens and English-style landscaping. Restoration efforts have been ongoing since the severe damage sustained during World War II.
The view from the center of the French formal garden looking back at the main blue-and-gold facade.
Book your time-slotted entry ticket well in advance online to secure a spot, as on-site sales are strictly limited.
Carry a lightweight shoulder bag to minimize the need for the cloakroom, which can become crowded.
Explore the Catherine Park area separately from the palace tour to fully appreciate the smaller pavilions like the Hermitage or Grotto.
Do not attempt to visit without a pre-booked entry slot, as walk-in access is rarely possible during high season.
Closed on Tuesdays throughout the year; some exhibitions may have shorter operating windows during the winter off-season.
Museum-grade slippers (provided) are required to be worn over outdoor footwear to protect the parquet floors; flash photography is strictly prohibited inside.
