Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - St. Petersburg

34 ❯❯ Top 10 St Petersburg Highlights

Pavlovsk

Pavlovsk, an 18th-century park and palace ensemble, is notable
for its atmospheric landscaped grounds, containing temples,
pavilions and stone bridges. Catherine the Great gave the estate to
her son, the future Paul I, in 1777 and Pavlovsk (from “Pavel” or
Paul) was named in his honour. Architect Charles Cameron was
commissioned to begin work on it in 1780, and Paul I’s wife, Maria
Fyodorovna, was the driving force behind the development of the
palace’s exhaustive collections. Maria, being infatuated with both
Pavlovsk and Europe, travelled with Paul through out the continent,
bringing back many sculptures, paintings and silk sets.

Pavlovsk Palace
1
This modest palace (1782–6) (centre) consists
of a series of remarkably well-preserved rooms and
halls that afford the visitor a revealing glimpse into
the lifestyle of Russia’s pre-revolutionary nobility.

The Muses
Visconti
The Rose
2 4 5
Pavilion
Bridge
The nine Muses
Maria Fyodorovna often The most famous bridge (1780–98), which were
enter tained guests in in the park was de signed based on statues gracing
this cottage designed by Andrey Voronikhin in the mu seums of Italy’s
around the theme of the 1807. Its arch stretches Rome and Florence,
rose (above). Alexander I’s lazily over the river, were created in the
vic tory over Napoleon reflected in the water workshops of the
was celebrated here too. to form a graceful oval. Russian Academy.
Pil Tower
3
and Bridge
Built by Vincenzo
Brenna in 1795, this
tower with a conical
straw roof (right) at one
time contained a spiral
stair case, library and
opulent lounge. The
nearby bridge was
added later in 1808.

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