Catherine Palace is located in Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar's Village), an area on the outskirts of St. Petersburg. Tsarskoye Selo was the summer residence of the Russian Tsars. During the Soviet era, the area's name was changed to Pushkin, in honor of the famous Russian poet.
Catherine Palace is the most famous example of the Russian baroque style, and was designed by Rastrelli...see, I learned something in that Russian Art History class.
We stepped off our tour bus to the tune of the American National Anthem, courtesy of a band dressed in tsarist era military uniforms. Yes, we stand out as Americans. When we entered the palace, our guide led us to a big box full of slippers. We had to wear them over our shoes so we wouldn't damage the floors. They were quite slippery on the wooden floors, though, so you had to be careful or you would slip and fall on your ass.
During World War II, Catherine Palace was looted and partially destroyed by the Germans (or as the Russians call them, Fascists). Some of the rooms still haven't been restored, but the ones that have been are amazing. There is an entire room decorated in amber, and there is another room in which the walls are completely covered in paintings.
The band that played for us.
Catherine Palace...it is HUGE.
The chapel of Catherine Palace.
Me in front of Catherine Palace.