The Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo, which was founded as a summer residence for the wife of Peter the Great, Catherine I, is a popular attraction for guests of St. Petersburg who want to see the Amber Chamber, the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, with their own eyes. The dazzling 18th-century Catherine Palace is a perfect example of Russian baroque, its bright-turquoise exterior distinguished by row after row of white columns and pilasters with gold baroque moldings running the entire 985 feet of the facade. Although much of the palace’s history and its inner architectural design bears Catherine the Great’s stamp, it’s for Catherine I, Peter the Great’s second wife, that the palace is named. Under their daughter, Empress Elizabeth, the original modest stone palace was completely rebuilt.

Opening Hours:

Catherine Park open 07:00 – 21:00.
Catherine\’s Palace open 10:00 – 18:00. ?losed Tue and last

Prices:

Admission: Caterine Park and Alexander Park free.
Catherine Palace 400Rbl. Tickets available only in Palace vestibule.

credit: larrywkoester

On the right-hand side of Market Street is a massive domed building, the Old Courthouse, which is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park. It was built in the mid 1800s and has been the scene of several important trials, including the suit by Dred Scott for freedom from slavery and Suffragist Virginia Louisa Minor for the right to vote. The courthouse now showcases historical exhibits. The Gateway Arch is often referred to as the Gateway to the West and is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and is a prevalant landmark for St. Louis. It spans both 630 feet tall and wide. The Gateway Arch was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and German-American structural engineer Hannskarl Bandel in 1947. Construction began on February 12, 1963, and was completed on October 28, 1965.

credit: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, NPS

St. Isaac’s is the world’s third largest domed cathedral and the first monument you see of the city if you arrive by ship. Isaakievsky Sobor is the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in the city. Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Isaac of Dalmatia, a patron saint of Peter the Great. It’s main dome rises 101,5 meters and is plated with pure gold. The exterior is faced with gray and red stone, and features a total 112 red granite columns with Corinthian capitals. Its interior is as awesome and decoration includes sculpture, painting polished stone, gifting, mosaic, stained-glass windows.

Location: 1, Isaakievskaia Ploschad.
Open: Thursday to Tuesday, 11am to 7pm, last admission is at 6pm
Cost: 250 Roubles for cathedral, 80 Roubles for colonnade
N.B.! No photography or video-filming is allowed in the Cathedral or at the Colonnade.

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