For more detail on any photo, just click (or right-click and open in a new window). All photos in this series (c) 2004 by moi-self.
Katherine began to develop this "country residence" and her daughter finished it up in style.
Empress Elizabeth (ruled 1741 – 1762) had the palace built and named for her mother Katherine I, second wife of Peter the Great (the redoubtable founder of St. Petersburg). Our guide tells how Elizabeth took humorous revenge on the snooty French who had disdained her mother. (Katherine's origins were humble and a bit murky.) When this stunning palace, designed by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, was ready, she invited the French ambassador for a weekend in her "little summer place." Anticipating a rustic hunting lodge, the ambassador showed up in attire that was decidedly not that of the court. What he found was this stunning jewel of overwhelming beauty and luxury.[One can imagine her thinking, "Take that, you arrogant twit!"]
OMG. The Froggy ambassador approached these gates, gobsmacked. Later buildings to the left below.
A close-up of the gates and the palace within.
And here we have detail of the gate with Elizabeth's initial showing prominently.
This last photo is currently my desktop photo.I do hope some of you are enjoying these bits of photo travel. If not, it is so easy to click and go elsewhere, which was not an option back in the days of viewing the vacation slides of one's friends.
--the BB
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