History of Tsarskoe Selo
The estate's development began in the early 18th century after Peter the Great reconquered the region from Sweden. Catherine I, Peter’s wife, initiated construction with the Stone Palace, marking the start of Tsarskoe Selo's transformation into a royal residence. Her successors, notably Elizabeth, expanded the estate significantly, commissioning the construction of the Catherine Palace, completed in 1756.
Empress Catherine II, known as “the Great,” favored Tsarskoe Selo as her summer retreat, investing heavily in its gardens and expanding the palace complex. Her grandson, Alexander I, built Alexander’s Palace, which has been recently reconstructed and opened to the public, offering insight into the imperial lifestyle.
Catherine’s son, Paul I, disliked the estate, preferring other royal residences. His successor, Alexander I, loved Tsarskoe Selo and established the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, where the poet Pushkin studied. During his reign, the town was connected to St. Petersburg by the first Russian passenger railway in 1836, making it easier for the royal family and visitors. Infrastructure developments, including electricity, made Tsarskoe Selo the first European town to be fully illuminated.
In the 20th century, after the fall of the Romanov dynasty and the Revolution, the palaces were repurposed as orphanages and institutions. The town was renamed Pushkin in 1937 to honor the poet Alexander Pushkin. It also suffered damage during WWII occupation. Restoration efforts, especially of the Amber Room, have helped preserve its historic grandeur.
Today, Tsarskoe Selo is a palace and park museum complex located in the town of Pushkin, about 25 km from St. Petersburg. It can be reached by suburban train from Vitebsky station or by public transport from Moskovskaya metro station.
The Amber Room
The Amber Room is one of the most famous treasures of Tsarskoe Selo. Crafted in the 18th century in Prussia and gifted to Peter the Great, it was installed in the Catherine Palace. Known for its exquisite amber mosaics, gold leaf, and mirrors, it was considered the "Eighth Wonder of the World." During WWII, the Amber Room was looted by Nazi forces and taken to Germany. After the war, it was lost, sparking numerous searches and legends. A meticulous reconstruction was undertaken in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and the restored Amber Room was unveiled in 2003, now displayed in its original location in the Catherine Palace.
Park and Structures
The palace is surrounded by Catherine’s Park, which includes the Old Garden and the English landscape park. Notable structures within the park include the Bathhouses, Hermitage, Grotto, and Cameron Gallery, serving various purposes from leisure to art storage.
Alexander Palace
Also located in Tsarskoe Selo, Alexander Palace was constructed in the late 18th century and became one of the primary residences of the Russian imperial family. The palace is renowned for its elegant neoclassical architecture and was extensively rebuilt and expanded during the 19th century to serve as the personal residence of Tsar Nicholas II and his family. It served as a hub of imperial family life until the fall of the Romanovs in 1917. Today, it functions as a museum open to visitors, showcasing the life and times of the last Russian imperial family and offering a glimpse into their private world.
Martial Chamber
Located in Alexander Park, the Martial Chamber hosts the museum “Russia in the Great War”, featuring documents, photographs, postcards, soldiers’ equipment, weapons, and vehicles related to WWI.
