Catherine Park

Summer residences of the emperors were used not only for the rest of their owners but for entertainment as well. That's why in 1717 the Catherine park was laid out at the same time with the beginning of construction of the Catherine palace

According to the traditions the first was built formal park, strictly planned. And then a little later, from 1760 to 1796, was built a landscape Catherine Park - closer to the natural landscape.

From 1609 to 1702 the territory of the present-day Catherine Park belonged to the Swedes and there was a small manor Sarskaya Mysa with a pond. The park did not have any other sources of water that is why its architects had to dig Vittolovo Canal that carried water from the springs of the village Bolshoe Vittolovo. After that they could build fanciful cascades of new ponds in the park.

From time to time the Catherine Park was decorated by its owners. The first sculptures for the formal park were acquired by Peter the Great.

Among the buildings of the formal Catherine Park are the Upper and the Lower Bathroom pavilions (used for intended purposes), the Hermitage and the Grotto. In 1771 was installed the Morey column and in 1817 the Gate "For My Dear Comrades" was added.

In the center of the Catherine Park there is the Large Pond, which has an island in his center with a pavilion Hall on the Island.

On the other island of the Large Pond in the Catherine Park there is a high monument - the Chesme Column built in 1774 in commemoration of the victory in the Russo-Turkish War in 1768-1774.

Landscape Catherine park is located along the Large Pond. His most famous pavilions are: Admiralty, Marble Bridge, Turkish Bath, Pyramid, Tower Ruins and others.