The State "Tsarskoye Selo" Reservation Museum is a masterpiece of 18th - early 20th century architecture and gardening art. The Museum is located in the former summer residence of the Russian Emperors, 25 km from St. Petersburg. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. By decree of the Russian President it was ranked among the most valuable objects of cultural heritage of the Russian Federation.
   The intricate ensemle of palaces and surrounding parks has been created by a wonderful ste of both Russian and foreign masters, such as M.G. Zemtsov, A.V. Kvasov, S.I. Chevakinsky, Rastrelli, Cameron, Quarengi, Rinaldi, Yu.M. Felten, V.I. Neyelov and sons, V.P. Stasov, L. Rusca, A.A. Ton, S.A. Danini, I.P. Monighetti and others.
   The total area of Catherine's and Alexander's parks is 300 (ga), with more than 100 works of architecture located on their territory: palaces, monuments, pavillions and bridges.
   Catherine's Palace serves as the compositional center of the ensemle: it is a magnificient example of Russian Baroque architecture with the astoundinginterior of the "Golden Anphilade" (Rastrelli, 1752-56). Among its halls is the world-famous stone-carving masterpiece known as the Amber Chamber.
   One of the best samples of Classical Period architecture is Alexander's Palace, located on the territory of Alexander's Park, associated with the last chapters of the Russian Empire's history: from this location started the Royal family tragic journey to Ekaterinburg.
   Great damage has been done to the Museum by World War II. Evaluating the quality of the immense restoration works conducted after the war, one may undoubtedly say that they have no analogies in the world practice. As of today, 29 out of Catherine Palace's 57 halls have been restored. 27 park pavillions andpalace interiors are in the process of being renovated.
   The Museum houses a total of more than 20 thousand exhibits, among them unique pieces of painting, furniture, decorative art, amber jewelry, weaponry, bronze and stone sculpture.
   "Tsarskoye Selo" has tremendous attractive power for both Russian and international tourists, who are offered 12 general and thematic tours of the Museum. The great abundance of museum objects makes possible the organization of both permanent and temporary exhibitions, based on the specific interest of modern audiences.
   It is hard to imagine today that not so long ago a real-life Royal family, with its everyday joys and interests, have lived here, holding amazingly extravagant balls, holidays and receptions, that solemn Church services have been conducted in the Palace Church.
   The architectural ensemble combines the magnificience of palace life with the simple-heartedness of a small country dacha. The Tsarskoye Selo Assemblies (exclusive tourist programs with prolonged stay in the Museum) are organized in order to explore the phenomenon of Tsarskoye Selo more fully and revive its historical holiday traditions.
   The Great Hall of Catherine's Palace, a unique assembly hall capable of holding 200 to 1000 persons, has hosted events such as the "St. Petersburg Seasons" festival, the "Maya" charity ball, devoted to the International Contest of Ballet Artists, the International Seminar of Europe's Major Airlines Heads, the international "Pochtovaya Troika-97" conference, the 5th "St. Petersburg Palaces" chamber music festival, and a banquet honouring the 70th anniversary of St. Petersburg's Mitropolitan Vladimir.

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