TSAKSKOY SELO.THE CATHERINE PALACE INTERIORS

     Former summer residence of the imperial family, Tsarskoe Selo is a museum-reserve located 25 km south of St. Petersburg. It includes two large English-style parks, two vast palaces and several decorative pavilions. Its name translates from Russian as "Tsar's Village". Founded by Peter the Great in the early 18th century, the residence first became the property of his wife Catherine. Later, Peter's daughter Elisabeth enlarged the Catherine Palace and built a "golden enfilade", a succession of salons decorated with paintings and gilding for luxurious receptions, games and balls. At the end of the 18th century, Empress Catherine II invited the Scottish architect Charles Cameron to redesign the parks and decorate some of the salons in classical style. At the same time, she started the construction of the second palace for her grandson, the future emperor Alexander I. The last Russian emperor Nicholas II signed his abdication from the throne at the Alexander Palace in February 1917. After the revolution, the parks and palaces were opened to the public. Nazi troops occupied the territory during the Second World War and almost completely destroyed the palaces. The restoration work begun after the end of the war continues to this day, but the "Golden enfilade" and the salons of Catherine II once again offer visitors their original brilliance. The Amber Room of the Catherine Palace, a unique room in the world with its decoration of mosaic panels of amber and minerals of coniferous resin was once considered the "eighth wonder of the world". Disappeared during the period of Nazi occupation, it was fully restored and opened to the public in 2003. To do: Visit To see: The Golden enfilade of the Catherine Palace, the Amber Room This location is in the St. Petersburg travel guide .

Stamps from left to right:

• Guards Patrol Ship "Metel"
  

Country:
    Russia
Series:
    Weapons of Victory - Warships
Themes:
    Anniversaries and Jubilees | Navies | Second World War | Ships | Warships
Issued on:
    2013-05-08   

• Moose (Alces alces)

Country:
    Russia
Series:
    5th Definitive Issue of Russian Federation
    Animals (Fauna) | Deer | Mammals
Issued on:
    2008-08-29

• Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)

Country:
    Russia
Series:
    5th Definitive Issue of Russian Federation
Themes:
    Animals (Fauna) | Bears | Mammals
Issued on:
    2008-08-29