What is Catherine Palace?
[[File:Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo 02.jpg|thumbnail|right]] The '''Catherine Palace''' is a former [[Russian Empire|Russian]] residence of the Russian Imperial family. It is in the town of Pushkin, [[Saint Petersburg]]. The Palace's town was called [[Tsarskoye Selo]] which means Tsar's village in English. In 1918 the [[Bolsheviks]] changed the name to Detskoye Selo. In 1937 the town was renamed to Pushkin to honor [[Alexander Pushkin]]. == History == [[Catherine I of Russia]] began the building of the palace in 1717. She hired the German [[architect]] [[Johann-Friedrich Braunstein]] to create the summer palace. In 1733, [[Anna of Russia|Empress Anna]] added to the palace. Then in 1752 [[Elizabeth of Russia|Empress Elizabeth]] had the palace torn down. It was rebuilt in a [[Rococo]] style. More than 100 kilograms of gold were used. Many statues on the roof were covered in gold. [[Catherine II of Russia|Catherine the Great]] thought the palace was old-fashioned. She employed [[Scotland|Scottish]] architect [[Charles Cameron (architect)|Charles Cameron]]. He made one wing into the [[Neo-Palladian]] style. He also changed the personal apartments of the Empress. After Catherine's death the imperial family began using [[Pavlovsk Palace]] and [[Alexander Palace]]. The palace was destroyed during [[World War II]]. Restoration began soon after the [[Nazi Germany|German]] forces left. Now the palace is mostly restored and is open for tours. ==Other websites== {{commonscat-inline}} [[Category:Palaces in Russia]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Saint Petersburg]] [[Category:Former royal residences]]