PAVLOVSK
A small town with a Pristine
royal Palace & Park TO DISCOVER
Pavlovsk is the youngest of the imperial estates around Sain Petersburg hosting a magnificent Palace and park.
Pavlovsk is a gracious residential district on the outskirts of St. Petersburg that blossomed and flourished around the Grand Palace, one of the primary residences of the Romanov dynasty.
Located 27 kilometers south of St. Petersburg, this Russian town rose as a cultural setting for classical concerts billing Strauss, Schumann, Liszt and other great composers of the Imperial era. Today, it's considered a prime location for those who own second residences or country homes as getaways from the city during the summer months.
A day trip to Pavlovsk should definitely include a visit to the fascinating Grand Palace, a fine neo-classical building with stunning interiors, and a stroll in the extensive landscaped gardens, a huge 1,500-acre park with tall trees, winding streams and endless paths flanked by benches.
From its perch on a hill, the palace overlooks a pastoral countryside of dense woodlands, rolling lawns, bridges over meandering streams and quiet ponds. Colonnades, monuments, and statues dot the landscape bordering the banks of the Slavyanka River, while the English gardens are said to rival the most exquisite gardens in the United Kingdom.
Certainly not as grand as Peterhof, but much less touristy, Pavlovsk is well worth visiting both for the treasures in the elegant palace and for the charming park, which is one of the largest and finest English-style landscape gardens outside the UK.☺
A LOOK INSIDE PAVLOVSK
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pavlovsk palace
Originally built by Charles Cameron, Pavlovsk Palace is smaller and less grandiose than the palaces of Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof. In fact, it's described as a stark contrast, with its modest Neoclassical design and tastefully ornate interior. While praised for being remarkably beautiful, visitors say it feels more like a family home that authentically speaks to Pavlov's (Paul's) life with his wife and ten children.
The northern wing of the palace contains the Imperial family's Private Chambers, while the southern wing hosts Paul's Picture Gallery with impressive paintings by notable artists of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as Salvatore Rosa, Tiepolo, and Rubens. Paul's passion for the military can be seen in the Hall of War and decorative motifs throughout the palace, while Maria's aesthetics shine in the room dedicated as her library.
When taking a tour of the Palace you may walk through the following rooms:
- The Italian Hall (Center structure of the palace resembling a Roman temple);
- Hall of War (Gilded displays of military memorabilia);
- Hall of Peace (Adorned with flowers and musical instruments);
- Library of the Empress (Maria Fedorovna's library with Parquet floors and furnishings by Voronikhin);
- Pavlov's Picture Gallery (Contains paintings by Salvatore Rosa, Tiepolo, and Rubens);
- The Throne Room (Also served as the Main Dining Room with a 600-piece Imperial porcelain dinner service);
- The Hall of Knights (Reception Room for the Maltese Chivalric Order of Knights who found sanctuary in Russia during Napoleon's invasion;
In addition to that you should also expect to see the The Imperial Chapel, The Grand Hall, Library of Paul I, Tapestry Room, Secretary's Room, The Billiard Room, The Old Drawing Room, The New Study, The Family Sitting Room, The Crimson Room, The Boudoir, and The State Bedroom.
pavlovsk park
Pavlovsk Park is a reflection of all the main tendencies prevailing in a European landscape design around the turn of the 19th century. The main park buildings are concentrated around the palace and to the north-east of it - in the valley of the Slavianka.
A common sentiment of those who visit Pavlovsk Park is the tranquility they experience there. Some say it's because it's not crowded or busy. Others say it's the pristine setting and natural landscape that creates a feeling of harmony. All say it's the perfect place to spend the day, unhurried and enjoying the serenity that's uniquely inherent to this destination.
When taking a stroll in the park you may walk through the following landmarks:
- The Private Garden (Restricted for use only by the Imperial Family);
- Rose Pavilion (Used for classical music concerts in the summer and favorite spot of the Empress);
- The Marienthal Fortress (A tribute to Tsar Pavel's great passion for the military;
- Temple of Friendship (Dedicated to Catherine the Great);
- Monument to My Parents (Pavilion in honor of the Tsaritsa's mother and father);
In addition to that, you should also expect to see the Colonnade of Apollo, Rossi Pavilion, Pavilion of the Graces, Volliere (Aviary) Pavilion, The Private Garden of Empress Maria, and Gonzago Gallery.
interesting facts
History says that in December 1777, this elegant estate was gifted to Tsar Pavel and his wife, Maria Feodorovna by his mother, Catherine the Great, in honor of the birth of their first son, Alexander I, the future Emperor of Russia. The surrounding land was a prized hunting ground for the royal family.
The palace and gardens were fully and beautifully restored from the damaging bombings of World War II.
how to get there
Pavlovsk is approximately 45 minutes to an hour from the city of Saint Petersburg by car, and only 15 minutes southeast of Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof.
To get there you have the option of driving yourself, taking a taxi from the city center or from Moskovskaya Metro Station, or, much better, you could even hire a car with a driver, so you travel faster, easier, and stress-free.
If you prefer to go by public transportation, then from Kupchino metro station you must take Marshrutka N. 286 and N. 545; from Moskovskaya metro station take Marshrutka N. 299; from Vitebsky station or metro Kupchino (last stop blue metro) you can also take a local train to Pavlovsk station (journey time 35minutes) which is close to the entrance to the park.
Lastly, if you find yourself wanting to travel between Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin) and Pavlovsk, then you can take the electric train or a minibus (K-545 or K-299), both means travel between the Catherine Park and Pavlovsk Park.
where to buy tickets
You can buy the tickets on the spot at the ticket office upon your arrival. There is no need to buy tickets in advance to visit the park or palace because is much less touristy than Peterhof or Tsarskoye Selo.
practical information
INFO ABOUT THE PALACE
Open: May 1 to October 31: Open daily, except the first Monday of each month, 10 am to 6 pm. Last admission is at 5 pm. November 1 to April 30: Open daily, except Friday, and the first Monday of each month.
Please note that the museum reserves the right to open ONLY the State Rooms and close other exhibits on Public Holidays.
Admission: Adult: Rubles 500.00. Family (2 Adults + 1 Child): Rubles 900.00. Family (2 Adults + 2 Child): Rubles 1150.00. Photo: Rubles 200.00 Video: Rubles 300.00. Temporary exhibits: Rubles 150.00 each. Audio guide available on request an don the spot!
Photo and video: Photo: Rubles 200.00 Video: Rubles 300.00
Accessibility note: This museum is not wheelchair accessible.
INFO ABOUT THE PARK
Open: Daily, 6 am to 12 pm.
Admission: May 1 to October 31, Daily, 10.00-18.00: Adult: Rubles 150.00. November 1 to April 30: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 10.00-18.00: Rubles 150.00. All other days and times: Free
Photo and video: Free
Accessibility note: Full wheelchair access to the park is available.
Website: http://www.pavlovskmuseum.ru/
TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Many tourists try to see both Tsarskoye Selo and Pavlovsk on the same day – usually spending the better part of the day at Tsarskoye Selo and going to Pavlovsk at the end of the day. However, it is highly recommended to set aside a separate day for each.
- If time doesn't permit, we recommend that you choose Pavlovsk over Tsarskoye Selo if you don't like crowds and long waits. It's incredibly beautiful and tranquil.
- Be warned that entry tickets are cheap but queues during the time of the White Nights can be a bit long.
- If you want to see over-the-top grandeur and opulence and don't mind long waits, especially during the busy summer months, go to Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo.
- Pavlovsk Palace and Catherine Palace are only a few minutes apart, so see them both on a day trip from St. Petersburg can be a great combination.
- We recommend hiring a tour guide before visiting the palace unless you speak Russian, while the park can be visited independently on a daily basis.
- Pavlovsk is a great place to get away from it all, and it can be a great alternative to the much larger and crowded Catherine Palace located a few miles away.
- If you visit the Palace and Park in the winter make sure you take an unforgettable ride on a Russian Troika, a three-horse carriage that used to provide the fastest way of moving in the past. The Troika will lead you through the park or the city of Pavlovsk, where you will get the chance to enjoy the ride and feel the freedom of the Russian soul. Get in touch with us if you'd like the troika ride to be organized before you go!☺
accommodation nearby
Our picking list of Hotels near Pavlosk Palace and Park
must-have travel resources
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