Gatchina Park is more overgrown and romantic than the other palaces’ parklands. The park has many winding paths through birch groves and across bridges to islands in the large White Lake. Look out for the frankly bizarre Birch House, which was a present from Maria Fyodorovna to Paul I. With a rough facade made of birch logs, the interior is actually very refined, with a beautiful hardwood floor made from timber from around the world.

Paul I later built a neoclassical ‘mask’ to hide the Birch House’s facade from the view of casual strollers.

Down on the lake, the Venus Pavilion is a beautiful spot jutting out into the water with an elaborately painted interior. Continue around the lake to find the best picnicking spots – it’s even possible to swim in a second lake (see where the locals go) if the weather is good.

It's also possible to visit Paul I's private garden, adjacent to the palace, laid out in the late-18th century by Vincenzo Brenna for the private use of the royal family. It's a charming place to stroll, full of sculptures, flowers and neatly trimmed hedges.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Gatchina Great Palace

0.15 MILES

Shaped in a graceful curve around a central turret, the Gatchina Great Palace certainly lives up to its name – its enormous (if surprisingly plain) facade…

2. Private Garden

0.21 MILES

Laid out in the late-18th century by Vincenzo Brenna for the private use of the royal family, the Private Garden is a charming place to stroll, full of…

3. Venus Pavilion

0.32 MILES

Down on the lake, the Venus Pavilion juts out into the water and has an elaborately painted interior.

4. Birch House

0.46 MILES

Built as a surprise present from Maria Fyodorovna to Paul I, the Birch House has a rough facade made of birch logs, but the interior is actually very…

5. Pokrovsky Cathedral

0.6 MILES

This red-brick building with bright blue domes is an important Gatchina church.

6. Pavlovsk Cathedral

0.91 MILES

This baroque cathedral can be found at the end of the pedestrianised shopping street off the central pr 25 Oktyabrya. It has a grandly restored interior…

7. Marble Bridge

14.19 MILES

A striking bridge made of Ural marbles that was built in 1774.

8. Turkish Bath

14.2 MILES

With its minaret and mosaic-covered interior this pavilion perched over the water was meant to resemble a mosque. The building closes during bad weather.