Let’s continue our journey through Pavlovsk Palace. In my previous article, I covered the history of the palace, and today I’ll share more about the tour of the grand halls. Joining a tour is quite easy—just buy an entry ticket to the palace, which costs 500 rubles as of spring 2019. Discounts are available for seniors and students.
The tour is conducted as groups form, so during the off-season, you may need to wait a bit. However, it’s also possible to explore the palace on your own.
Grand Halls of Pavlovsk Palace
The journey into history begins, as is customary in palaces, at the grand staircase, in the Egyptian vestibule. The first grand room that visitors see is the Italian Hall, located in the very center of the palace. The height of the hall's arches is 22 meters.
Next is the Large Palace Library (also known as Rossi's Library). It once housed about 20,000 books, of which just over half—around 12,000 volumes—have survived to this day. Some editions were sold to private collections, while others were likely destroyed during the blockade.
After the library, the tour continues through numerous grand halls. It’s worth noting that each hall is very diverse, designed in different styles and color schemes. One interesting room in this series of architectural masterpieces is the grand bedroom. Although not used for its intended purpose, its impressive interiors were a source of pride for the owners and admiration from guests.
Also noteworthy is the story of two similar halls—“War” and “Peace.” Their concept was borrowed from the architects of the Palace of Versailles in the suburbs of Paris, though the interiors of our halls differ visually from the French ones. The tour concludes on the second floor in the palace church.
The final part of the tour takes place in the living quarters on the first floor, which are less ornate. After saying goodbye to the guide, you can stroll through all the halls again for a closer look at the interiors. The time of your visit is limited only by the palace's opening hours.
On my way to the train station, I encountered a cute and utterly fearless squirrel in Pavlovsk Park. Without any hesitation, it approached me, hoping for a treat. Fortunately for the squirrel, I had some nuts with me.
I hope the photos of the beautiful interiors of this imperial residence will inspire you to visit this architectural gem in the suburbs of St. Petersburg. If traveling far is not an option, there are equally remarkable palaces in the city center—Yusupov Palace, Marble Palace, and Menshikov Palace.
In summary:
- A large number of diverse halls;
- Opportunity to explore the palace either on your own or with a guided tour;
- In warm weather, you can continue your exploration of the city in the expansive Pavlovsk Park.
- Pavlovsk Palace. Part 1: How to Get There, History, Photos
