Tsarskoye Selo

 Tsarskoye Selo palace and park ensemble - a favorite brainchild of the Empress Elizabeth, which turned Tsarskoye Selo in the middle of the XVIII century in the center of political and court life in Russia. Title famous manor dates back to the Finnish Sari masetu - so called by a small village, donated in 1710 by Peter I's wife Catherine. In 1717, Project IF Braunstein is the construction of the "stone houses" of Catherine I, completed in 1724. By the time the slope hill on the crest of which was raised palace garden masters J. Rooz and I. Vogt arranged the terraced park (French Garden). After the death of Catherine I, the estate passed to her daughter Elizabeth, who became the Empress, launched a massive operation to rebuild the palace (for which in mother's memory will retain the same name), the expansion and improvement of the palace gardens. In 1752, work in Tsarskoye Selo headed BF Rastrelli in 1756 created this magnificent ensemble. Its center and today is the Catherine Palace, which is considered his best Rastrelli product. Construction of the building was conducted for four years and ended in 1756. Only on the rich gilding of its sculptural decoration was consumed 100 kg of gold.
According to legend, who attended the festivities in honor of the completion of the French ambassador said: "Missing in this jewel box". Catherine II maintained the Tsar's village status of the main royal summer residence. When it was part of the Tsar's parks reorganized from a regular fashion landscape, which graced a number of monuments dedicated to Russian victories in the wars with Turkey. At the same time in Tsarskoye Selo, Alexander Palace was built - the gift of Catherine II's grandson and heir, Alexander (the future Alexander I). Nicholas I moved the royal residence of Catherine is in the Alexander Palace. Then Scot A. Menelas erected in the Alexander Park a series of Gothic structures. Alexander Palace was the residence of the last Russian emperor Nicholas II, who after February Revolution of 1917 is here with his family in custody.
Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum
In 1791 Catherine II in Tsarskoye Selo were established classes for living with her grandchildren - Alexander's heir and his brother Constantine. Classes are located in the Catherine Palace attached to his body (1791, architect J. Quarenghi) that in 1811 Alexander I given by high school he founded, known as Tsarskoye Selo. The task of institution was the upbringing and education top officials. In Among his first graduates was Alexander Pushkin, through which Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum has acquired international fame.

The Catherine Palace. Ceiling painting in the hall of the palace. Vernissage, Pushkin. The Catherine Parks. At the entrance to Catherine Parks meet the enchanting flute. Alexander Palace in Tsarskoye Selo.