The small town of Strelna hosts thousands of visitors each year, and at just 19 kilometers west of St. Petersburg, this coastal suburb represents both old and modern-day Russia.
Originally developed by Peter the Great, Strelna is home to several famous Romanov landmarks, including The Travel Palace, the first landmark and Peter's primary residence during his trips to the naval base in Kronstadt.
Following WWII, the palace served as a hospital and kindergarten, but in 1987, it was placed under the protective auspices of the Peterhof State Museum-Reserve.
The main attraction of Strelna, of course, is the Strelna Palace, also known as Konstantinovsky Palace, which was the imperial residence for Peter the Great’s second son, Konstantin Pavlovich. Today, it's also known as the “Palace of Putin,” to honor President Vladimir Putin's great efforts toward the restoration of this aristocratic manor, which was completely destroyed in WWII.
Visible from the road, this soft yellow baroque masterpiece now stands restored to its original glory and converted into an exquisite state conference center and sophisticated presidential residence, with grand meeting rooms that capture the authenticity of its imperial history.
Officially named The National Congress Palace, it has been a prestigious setting for meetings between foreign heads of state, as well as both the 2006 G8 and 2013 G20 summits.
Interested to visit the Strelna Palace? If so, click on the links below or scroll down the page to learn more.
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The Strelna Palace, now better known as the Putin's Palace has been transformed from a derelict to its original grandeur and the grounds transformed into a fairyland of pathways amidst gardens, fountains and canals.
Within the complex you can find The Baltic Star Hotel, a 5-star property where foreign leaders stay, and The Consular Village, which has 20 delightful private cottages for rent. Strelna is a popular event and wedding venue, a must-see historical landmark and the perfect place to experience where old Russia and new Russia are proudly joined.
If you plan a guided visit there, only scheduled guided tours are available, you will come across the below three main sites:
Visitors describe their visit to the whole Strelna complex as breathtaking and brimming with history. We also have been there once and without doubt it was worth our time.☺
You might find it interesting to know that the palace was Peter's first choice as successor to the famous French Versailles, but after commissioning French architect Jean-Baptiste Alexandre Le Blond to help him realize this dream, Le Blond advised against it due to the unstable marshlands.
So Peter looked towards building Peterhof to fulfill his vision of a Russian Versailles. It was this and Peter's death that rendered The Strelna Palace unfinished and used as a wine cellar for 40 years, until 1797, when Konstantin Pavlovich resumed construction under the architectural expertise of Luigi Rusco and Andrei Vorokhinin.
Rumors have it that the palace is haunted due to its history of having been a sanitorium and once used as an Arctic College.
Entrance tickets can and should be bought online through the palace's official website, or at the tour desk inside The Konstantinovsky Palace. Please note that excursions are provided ONLY on the day on which tickets are purchased.
Situated not far from St. Petersburg you can easily reach Strelna by Bus or Tram, or much better by Car. Taxi
is another alternative.
You can also take the Metro to Leninsky Prospect Metro Station and then take the Minibus N. 103 or 420. Also, you can go to Avtovo Metro Station and later take the Minibus N. 200, 210, 224, 300, 404 or 424 as well as the public bus N. 200 and 210 or the Tram N. 36 or 60.
Other Metro stations you can reach are Baltiskaya Metro Station (Minibus 404/T-4) and Veteranov metro station (Minibus N. 343, 392, 850).
Lastly, you can also take the train to Strelna by getting off at the Baltisky Train Station (bound for Oranienbaum or Kalishe). From there you take the Minibus t-300, t-103 or t-424.
Address: St. Petersburg, pos. Strelna, 3 Birch Alley
Metro: There is no metro stations nearby as the site is outside St Petersburg
Open: from 10:00 am or 12:00 pm to 18:00 pm. Closed Wed.
Telephone: State complex "Palace of Congresses" +7 (812) 438-5334; Excursion service +7 (812) 438-5365
Website: www.konstantinpalace.ru/
Admission: 150 - 400Rubles to tour the site with a Russian tour guide. Excursion in English 3.000Rubles (1,5 hour up to 15 people, each participant has to pay individual admission 300Rubles).
Photo & Video: Very strict policy apply
Accessibility note: No ramps or lifts available
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