The Palace also boasts a unique Amber Room, whose priceless amber panels were stolen by Nazi troops during World War II, but which are now being painstakingly recreated by Russian craftsmen.
Another of Tsarskoye Selo’s major attractions is the Lyceum, located on the edge of the estate. Founded at the beginning of the 19th century and remarkably well-preserved, the Lyceum was a boarding school that once taught the most celebrated of all Russian poets, Alexander Pushkin. The Lyceum was created specifically to educate members of the Russian ruling elite and prepare them for careers in government service. Visitors to the Lyceum are allowed access to its well-preserved classrooms, library, student bedrooms and much more.
Open: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm.
Closed: Tuesdays and last Monday of each month
Pavlovsk (by bus – with a guide/interpreter; duration – 6 hours).
Just a few miles away from Pushkin lies the Imperial Estate of Pavlovsk, the residence of Emperor Paul I, the son of Catherine the Great. The estate’s magnificent palace sits on hill overlooking an English-style landscaped park, with a beautiful river running through it.
The Grand Palace was built by the Scottish architect Charles Cameron between 1782 and 1786 in the general style of an Italian villa. Initially meant as a private home for Paul and his wife Maria Fedorovna, the estate was later given an Imperial facelift when Paul ascended the throne after the death of Catherine the Great in 1796.
The Palace’s interiors reveal a multitude of artistic and architectural influences and include an Egyptian Vestibule, the Italian Hall under the main Palace dome, featuring classical Roman sculptures, a Greek Hall filled with luxurious French furnishings and Paul's War Hall, demonstrating his fascination with all military things.
Open: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm.
Closed: Fridays and the first Monday of each month
Theatres
Mariinsky Theatre, founded in 1783, is situated on Theatre Square. It is considered second in importance among Russia's theatres, after the Bolshoy Theatre in Moscow.
Ballet, opera and drama troupes have all performed on this stage (the drama troupe has become independent in 1803). The famous Russian ballet dancer A.I.Istomina, to whom Pushkin has devoted poetry, also danced here. In 1836 M.I.Glinka's opera "Life for the Czar" (or "Ivan Susanin", as it was renamed after the revolution) premiered here, and this event has marked the beginning of classical Russian opera.
The theatre was designed by architect A.K.Kavos and reconstructed in the late 19th century under the leadership of V.A.Shreter. It was named after Alexander II's wife Mary. The artistic development of the Mariinsky theatre is associated with performances (often premieres) of operas by the great Russian composers such as N.A.Rimsky-Korsakov, P.I.Chaikovsky, S.S.Prokofyev, D.D.Shostakovich and others, as well as foreign classical composers. The theatre has always had eminent conductors, and the troupe has consisted of world-famous opera and ballet stars such as F.Shalyapin, A.Pavlova, V.Nizhinsky, G.Ulanova and M.Baryshnikov.
Since 1935 until recently the theatre has had the name of Leningrad's communist leader S.M.Kirov. It has received high national awards. The hall holds 1,625 people, and one can scarcely find any vacant seats at any performance. The Kirov Ballet troupe, as it is called abroad, is often on tours.
Tovstonogov Bolshoi Drama Theatre. One of the best theatres in St. Petersburg, if not all Russia. It was founded in 1919 on the initiative of M. Gorky, A. Lunacharsky, A. Blok and M. Andreyeva. After the death of G.A. Tovstonogov, who hds been the theatre's stage director from 1956 until 1989, the theatre was named after him in recognition of his merits and talent. The troupe had always been very bright, although many actors were leaving for other theatres. The theatre is currently experiencing difficult times, as it is not easy to replace the great director, but it seems that the theatre is heading in the right direction. Ballet artists are performing here during the summer, when the theatre troupe is on vacation. The theatre has been awarded several orders and the "Academic" title. Its capacity is 1,258 seats.
Musorgsky Opera and Ballet Theatre
The theatre was established in 1918 as an affiliate of the Mariinsky Theatre. It is most known for its premieres of pieces by contemporary composers, such as S. Prokofyev, D. Shostakovich, A. Khachaturyan, R. Schedrin and others. The theatre created its own troupe during 1931-33.
Today this theatre is the only one in the city to stage plays such as "Fadetta", "Tsar Boris", "The White Knight" and "MacBeth". It occupies the building of the Mikhailovsky Theatre, named after Nicholas I's brother prince Mikhail Pavlovich.
The theatre's capacity is 1,151 seats. French drama and comedy has been presented in it for privileged audiences. A French opera troupe has also been performing here for a long period of time. The building was constructed in 1831-33 on Mikhailovskaya Square (presently called Arts Square) by architect A.P. Bryullov.
Notes
“Samson, tearing apart the jaws of the lion” – “Самсон, раздирающий пасть льва” (фонтан Петергофа)
Admiralty – Адмиралтейство
Amber Room – Янтарная комната в Екатерининском дворце (Царское Село)
Anichkov Bridge – Аничков мост
Arts Square – Площадь Искусств
Bridge of Peter the Great – Мост Петра Великого (Большеохтинский)
Bronze Horseman – Медный Всадник
Catherine Palace – Екатерининский дворец в Пушкине
Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood (or the Church on the Blood, or Spilled Blood Cathedral) – Собор Спаса-на-Крови
Cruiser Aurora – крейсер «Аврора»
Dostoevsky Museum – Государственный Литературно-мемориальный музей Ф. М. Достоевского
Foundry Bridge – Литейный мост
Gatchina – Гатчина (Государственный художественно-архитектурный дворцово-парковый музей-заповедник «Гатчина»)
Gatchina Palace – Гатчинский дворец
Grand Palace of Peterhof – Большой дворец Петергофа
Gulf of Finland – Финский залив
Hay Market – Сенной рынок
Hermitage – Государственный Эрмитаж
Imperial
