Palace and Park History 

The palace and park at Gatchina dates back to the time of Empress Catherine II. In 1765, the tsaritsa gave her favourite, Count Grigory Orlov, a lavish gift – the Gatchina estate. The picturesque landscape, spring-fed lakes with connecting tributaries and rivers made it possible to create here the unique landscape park with the palace of remarkable architecture as its focal point. Next>>