A sample of photos taken by Aubrey Chernick during his trip to the Catherine Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia

1. Aubrey Chernick Photos From Catherine Palace
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2. Catherine Palace
In 1717, German architect, Johann-
Freiedruch Braunstien, built a summer
palace for Catherine I of Russia. With
direction from Empress Elizabeth, Mikhail
Zemtsov and Andrei Kvasov expanded the
residence in 1733.
Nonetheless, in May of 1752 the original
palace was torn down as Empress
Elizabeth found its design to be outdated.
She requested Bartolomeo Rastrelli, her
court architect, build a more glorious
monument with a Rococo inspired style.
On July 30th 1756, after four years of
construction, the 325-meter-long palace
was presented by the architect to the
Empress, ambassadors, and courtiers.
Located next to the town of Tsarskoe
Selo, the palace is set behind a cast-iron
grille. It was rumored that this
extravagant palace’s entire roof was
made of gold. There were over 100
kilograms of gold used within the edifice
and the statues that were placed on its
roof. Two huge towers, built in Rococo
style, are displayed at the grand entrance
of palace.
The palace surrounds the Hermitage
Pavilion, designed by Mikhail Zemtsov in
1744 and remodeled by Francesco
Bartolomero Rastrelli in 1749.

3. Catherine Palace
architectural detail.

4. Catherine Palace Painting

5. Catherine the Great’s
costume.

6. Catherine Palace gold detail.

7. Catherine Palace Art Work

8. Catherine Palace Domes