Gatchina in 3 Russian words

1. БОЛЬШОЙ ГАТЧИНСКИЙ ДВОРЕЦ (Grand Gatchina Palace)

This palace was built in the second half of the 18th century for Count Grigory Orlov, a favorite of Empress Catherine II. Later, it served as the residence of Russian monarchs, with Emperor Paul I loving it most of all. After the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, a museum was opened in the palace. Nowadays, movies are often shot there.

2. ПРИОРАТСКИЙ ДВОРЕЦ (Priory Palace)

This is one of the most unique palaces in Russia – it looks like a medieval Catholic monastery. Its name comes from the French ‘prieuré’ – ‘small monastery’. It was built in 1797 by order of Emperor Paul I for members of the Order of Malta, who resided in Russia at the time.

3. КРУГЛАЯ РИГА (Round Barn)

This building, built at the end of the 18th century, looks like a powerful tower, but, in fact, it is simply a barn, specially designed for processing, drying and storing grain. In 1884, a cuirassier regiment kept its horses there, after which it was used as a regular warehouse.