Oranienbaum

The Palace-and-park ensemble on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland opposite the town-fortress Kronshtadt (architects D.Fontana and J.Schedel). In 1743, Oranienbaum became the summer residence of the future emperor Peter III. A fortress ensemble with a petite palace was constructed for him to the design of architect A.Rinaldi. Later, A.Rinaldi was commissioned by the Empress Catherine the Great to erect the Chinese Palace and the Katalnaya Gorka (Sliding Hill) with a pavilion. The architectural style of these monuments is distinguished by the subtle blend of elegant rococo style with traces of classicism. Oranienbaum is famous for its landscape parks dating hack to the middle of the XIX century. During the winter, the following palace-museums are available to visit; the palace of Peter III, the Japanese Pavilion of the Bolshoy (Menshikovsky) Palace, exhibition halls in the Kavalersky Block and the Chinese Kitchen Pavilion, an exhibition in the central building of the Bolshoy (Menshikovsky) Palace; from May 20, also the Chinese Palace and Katalnaya Gorka pavilion.

The Palace-and-Park Ensemble
tel. 422-3753
Open: 11:00 - 17:00, Mon till 16:00
Closed:TUE and on last MON of every month

How to get there: Suburban trains from Baltic Station terminal to the Oranienbaum station (40 km from SI, Petersburg; travel time - about one hour); taxi-buses #300, #348