Anna Zhukova. Catherine Palace

The Summer Palace has been built in 1717 by German architect Johan-Fridriha Bronsteina who was invited by Ekaterina I. In 1743, empress Anna has charged to expand Michael Zemtsova and Andrey Kvazova the Palace. The Palace was under construction within 4 years and on July, 30th 1756 architect has presented absolutely new palace of 325 meters in length to Empress.

Prior to the World War II the Russian archivists managed to remove a fraction of its contents, which proved of great importance in reconstructing the palace. And when the German’s forces retreated after the siege of Leningrad, they had destroyed the residence intentionally, leaving only the hollow shell of the palace behind. Although the largest part of the reconstruction was completed in time for the Tercentenary of St Petersburg in 2003, much work is still required to restore the palace to its former glory.

The Amber Room was created with 1701 up to 1709 in Prussia and was in Palace Charlottenburg up to 1716 when Tsar Peter the Great of the Russian Empire has received it in a gift from Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm I. The part of the Amber Room was looted by Nazi Germany and its knowledge has been lost during war. Its exact fate remains a mystery to this day, and the search for it has been one of the greatest treasure hunts of all time.

3-5 hours. Catherine Palace tour, sprawling, forget-me-not-blue Catherine Palace, topped with gold onion domes, its facade jammed with butterscotch-colored giants, its rooms with overripe cherubs will make you feel like a guest of the tsar. Recently used as a splendid Ball room for the concert of Elton John, for the celebration of the birthday of Paul Allen and other celebrities of the world! You will see the seventh wonder of the world called Amber Room, which was stolen by Nazis and never found again.

Today we have a chance to see fascinating skills of Russian restorators!