6 Activities
Palaces of the Leningrad Region: Secrets of History
Starts from
Saint Petersburg
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
6
Duration
10 hrs 45 min
Length
60 mi
Route details
Starts from
Saint Petersburg
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
10 hrs 45 min
Length
60 mi
Ann Mikhaylova
Traveler
- Great Gatchina Palace.
- Priory Palace.
- Pavlovsky Palace.
- Dudergof Heights.
St. Petersburg is a city that is rich not only in history but also in cultural and architectural attractions.
However, the surroundings of the city can serve as a source of even more inspiration. The palaces deserve special attention, many of which were built in the 18th century by the will of the royal family, and that is what we will get to know on this trip.
However, the surroundings of the city can serve as a source of even more inspiration. The palaces deserve special attention, many of which were built in the 18th century by the will of the royal family, and that is what we will get to know on this trip.
Categories
St. Petersburg is a city that is rich not only in history but also in cultural and architectural attractions.
However, the surroundings of the city can serve as a source of even more inspiration. The palaces deserve special attention, many of which were built in the 18th century by the will of the royal family, and that is what we will get to know on this trip.
However, the surroundings of the city can serve as a source of even more inspiration. The palaces deserve special attention, many of which were built in the 18th century by the will of the royal family, and that is what we will get to know on this trip.
Ann Mikhaylova
Traveler
- Great Gatchina Palace.
- Priory Palace.
- Pavlovsky Palace.
- Dudergof Heights.
Day Itinerary
6 Activities
Day 1
59 mi0.9 mi
Eighteenth-century palaces and Dudergof Heights
Today we will plunge into the atmosphere of the eighteenth century, visiting some of the main palaces of the Leningrad region, as well as visiting the highest point of St. Petersburg.
The State Museum-Reserve "Gatchina"
Landmark
Open Details
Great Gatchina Palace is one of the main architectural landmarks of the Leningrad region. It was built in the 18th century by order of Catherine II for her favorite, Count G.G. Orlov, but after his death the palace was purchased by the Empress for her son and future Emperor Paul I.
Subsequently the owners of the palace were only members of the imperial family until the February Revolution in 1917, after which it was decided to make the palace a national museum, which it is today.
Inside the palace you will see an exhibition that will tell you about the history and the owners of the place. You can see personal belongings and rooms of Pavel I, visit the palace's signal tower, which offers an incredible view of the park, and even visit the palace's underground passage, the total length of which is 130 meters!
Please note, the palace is open daily for independent viewing from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00. From 12:00 to 14:00 visit only by sightseeing sessions.
Subsequently the owners of the palace were only members of the imperial family until the February Revolution in 1917, after which it was decided to make the palace a national museum, which it is today.
Inside the palace you will see an exhibition that will tell you about the history and the owners of the place. You can see personal belongings and rooms of Pavel I, visit the palace's signal tower, which offers an incredible view of the park, and even visit the palace's underground passage, the total length of which is 130 meters!
Please note, the palace is open daily for independent viewing from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00. From 12:00 to 14:00 visit only by sightseeing sessions.
0.9 mi
20 min
Prioratsky Palace
Museum
Open Details
Next, we will go to the Priory Palace, which, of course, is not as luxurious as many others, but because of that it is no less attractive, and moreover, it is the hallmark of Gatchina. The unique thing about this building is that it is the only monument of earthwork construction of the 18th century in Russia.
The name of the palace goes back to the knightly rank of the Great Priory, which was approved by Paul I in 1797. The palace was built by order of the emperor for the Prince Conde, a prior of the knightly order, who was in exile. It is hard to believe, but once on the site of the palace was not drying out bog, which had to be drained, ditches and ditches dug to erect here the Earth Palace, as it is often called.
Today the building houses an exhibition of Eastern art, an exhibition devoted to the history of the palace, the technique of earthen building and the architect himself - N.A. Lvov.
The name of the palace goes back to the knightly rank of the Great Priory, which was approved by Paul I in 1797. The palace was built by order of the emperor for the Prince Conde, a prior of the knightly order, who was in exile. It is hard to believe, but once on the site of the palace was not drying out bog, which had to be drained, ditches and ditches dug to erect here the Earth Palace, as it is often called.
Today the building houses an exhibition of Eastern art, an exhibition devoted to the history of the palace, the technique of earthen building and the architect himself - N.A. Lvov.
22.7 mi
40 min
Podvor'ye
Restaurant
Open Details
Next we will go for lunch to Podvorye restaurant, which is considered "the most Russian restaurant in Russia. This institution is beloved not only by locals, but also by foreign guests. The menu of the restaurant offers a large variety of dishes of the original Russian cuisine, as well as an extensive children's menu.
Here you can taste homemade pelmeni and borshch, royal fish soup, pancakes with caviar or pirozhki with cranberries. The restaurant interior won't leave you indifferent either: stuffed bear holding a tray with two glasses of vodka, accordions, balalaikas and wooden furniture.
Here you can taste homemade pelmeni and borshch, royal fish soup, pancakes with caviar or pirozhki with cranberries. The restaurant interior won't leave you indifferent either: stuffed bear holding a tray with two glasses of vodka, accordions, balalaikas and wooden furniture.
1.5 mi
5 min
Pavlovsk Museum
Museum
Open Details
The next place of our visit is the Pavlovsk Museum-Reserve, an example of 18th century Russian culture. The Pavlovsky Palace here is the main attraction of the entire ensemble.
A few centuries earlier the palace served as a summer residence of Paul I. Great composers often gave concerts there: Mikhail Glinka performed in the Pavlovsk Concert Hall, and Johann Strauss gave his concerts. Today in the halls of the Pavlovsk Palace you can see collections of paintings, books, furniture and sculptures of those times, see the apartments of the royal family, concert and gala halls.
You can see the exposition on your own or in the company of an experienced guide, who will be happy to introduce you to the history and secrets of the palace.
Please note, Paulovsky Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays.
A few centuries earlier the palace served as a summer residence of Paul I. Great composers often gave concerts there: Mikhail Glinka performed in the Pavlovsk Concert Hall, and Johann Strauss gave his concerts. Today in the halls of the Pavlovsk Palace you can see collections of paintings, books, furniture and sculptures of those times, see the apartments of the royal family, concert and gala halls.
You can see the exposition on your own or in the company of an experienced guide, who will be happy to introduce you to the history and secrets of the palace.
Please note, Paulovsky Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays.
17 mi
40 min
Smotrovaya Ploshchadka Vid Na Krasnoye Selo, Villozi, Dudergofskoye I Dolgoye Ozora
Open Details
Dudergofskie Heights is a unique natural monument, where the highest point of St. Petersburg is located. From here you have the best panoramic view of the nearest fields and the outskirts of the city. The park has wooden stairs to climb steep ditches, cleared paths, and a 2.5-kilometer eco-trail. Here you can enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings, peace and quiet.
18.2 mi
30 min
Nordic
Restaurant
Open Details
Our journey is coming to an end, and it's time to head to the Nordic restaurant for dinner. The interior here is a complete reflection of the Nordic style: panoramic windows, spacious shapes, small bright accents and even an open kitchen equipped with the latest technology.
Only farm-fresh produce is used in the preparation of dishes, which inspires confidence. Here you can taste such Scandinavian dishes as lamb tartare with roasted eggplant, boletus soup, pizza on rye dough with seafood, ice cream with flax, porcini and cornflower flavors, and also the restaurant has an extensive bar list with strong drinks rich in aromas of herbs, berries and cones.
Hours of operation: Monday - Thursday, Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Friday - Saturday: 12:00 - 23:00
Only farm-fresh produce is used in the preparation of dishes, which inspires confidence. Here you can taste such Scandinavian dishes as lamb tartare with roasted eggplant, boletus soup, pizza on rye dough with seafood, ice cream with flax, porcini and cornflower flavors, and also the restaurant has an extensive bar list with strong drinks rich in aromas of herbs, berries and cones.
Hours of operation: Monday - Thursday, Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Friday - Saturday: 12:00 - 23:00