Grand Palace in Gatchina was laid in 1766, when the estate belonged to Gatchinskaya Count Grigory Orlov. Author of the project, known architect Antonio Rinaldi, decided to build a palace in the form of a hunting castle with towers and underground passage. The main building of the palace was connected semi-circular open galleries on official buildings - Kitchen and Stables quads. Outside the palace it was lined with local stone.

Later, Gatchina Palace was remodeled by the architect V. Brenna - according to the tastes and inclinations of Paul. Through arch to the passage of the park and the gaps between the marble columns at the public galleries were established, and the housing office - are built. Meadow in front of the facade of the palace turned into a parade ground, which was surrounded by a bastion wall; and dug a ditch filled with water, through which threw four drawbridges.

The interiors of the palace were rebuilt. On the ground floor of the main building are located private rooms of Paul, who now constitute a magnificent example of XVIII century residential interior. In place of the two rooms of the palace it was created marble dining room, which is decorated with sixteen columns of Carrara marble and bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. Adjacent to the dining room Marble - Throne of Paul I - have arranged to place the office of Count Orlov. A special jewel throne was a magnificent parquet pattern, performance of different types of wood. White Hall, intended for special receptions, was decorated with marble reliefs and sculptures, some of which has been established at the eagles.

In Konyushennaya square, rebuilt on the draft V. Brenna, were built theater, library and an arsenal. With the last four of a kind due renamed - it became known as the Arsenal. The right semicircle, linking the Arsenal Block to the main building, was arranged Greek Gallery in the left semicircle, which led into the kitchen quads - Cesme and Armory Gallery. The Armory Gallery posted a collection of ancient weapons in Cesme - three huge paintings of artist F. Hackert with episodes Chesmensky battle.

In 1845 the palace again started to rebuild. At this time the reconstruction of the palace was entrusted to architect R. Kuzmin, who was to refurbish the main building of the palace, and to increase the number of living quarters for the imperial family. Kuzmin The project office building - a square - were overbuilt to the height of the galleries. The Arsenal Block housed apartments of Nicholas I. to the interior of the palace Kuzmin added Ceremonial lobby, marble staircase, Chinese and Gothic galleries.

After the October Revolution Gatchina Palace became a state museum, which houses about 54 thousand valuable exhibits. During the Great Patriotic War through the efforts of the museum staff was able to save about a fifth of these values. The palace was badly damaged by bombing and the interior was almost completely lost.

Gatchinskye picturesque gardens and parks in layout and rich in diverse vegetation, planted by taking into account differences in shades of leaves and needles. In the parks - numerous bridges, terraces, spectacular stone stairs, the Eagle Pavilion on Long Island, Venus Pavilion on the Island of Love, Birch and Admiralty Gate, Forest Conservatory, Aviary. It is unique in technique zemlebitny Priory Palace, similar to a medieval castle. In 1971-1975 recreated the original Pavilion Birch House, looks more like a woodpile of birch wood. The basis of the composition of famous parks of Gatchina are its picturesque ponds - White and Silver Lake, Karpin pond and share their islands and peninsulas.