The architectural history of the Catherine Palace began in the early 18th century when estates along the Baltic coast were being developed.
At that time there was a small estate with the Finnish name "Saari Mojs" (Dairy Farm on the Hill) situated on a high hill 26 km from St. Petersburg, precisely on the site of today's Catherine Palace and the grounds immediately surrounding it.
The palace was originally quite small and was built by the architect Braunstein for Catherine I (hence the palace’s name), wife of Peter I, who presented it to her husband as a gift in 1718.
After Peter passed on and his wife died in 1727 the palace passed to their lively, blue-eyed daughter, Elizabeth, who lived in the palace during the reigns of her half-brother Peter II and her cousin Anna.
Elizabeth succeeded to the throne in 1741 and immediately enlisted a number of architects to enlarging her summer residence. Later the famous Italian Architect Rastrelli took on the task and perfected the famous palace facades in the way we see them today.
Catherine II made later additions to the far wing of the palace in the chaste Neo-Classical style she preferred over the flamboyant Baroque style. Responsibility for the magnificent profile of the Chapel domes goes to the architect Chevakinsky.

Romanov Timeline - meet the Czars face to face.

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