Bogoroditsky Palace Museum

Tourist trip program

Bogoroditsky Palace Museum: The Empress's Secret Son and the "Russian Versailles"

During the program, guests will hear the dramatic story of Alexei Bobrinsky (the illegitimate son of Catherine the Great), see his palace-museum, and the first landscape park in Russian history, created by the great scientist Andrei Bolotov.

- Guests are first greeted by the bell tower. They will have the opportunity to explore the unique Baroque tower, which serves as the estate's ceremonial entrance. The palace was built on the site of an old fortress. The tower is a reminder of its military past, transformed into an elegant residence. Guests will hear a story about the architect Ivan Starov, who also designed the Tauride Palace in St. Petersburg.

- Next, tourists will visit the main building of the palace, walk through the state rooms, and tour the living quarters of the Counts Bobrinsky. The palace was a gift from Catherine the Great to her illegitimate son by Grigory Orlov. It will be interesting to see furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries, antique musical instruments, and portraits of the imperial family, and learn that the palace was almost completely destroyed during World War II and literally rebuilt from ruins.

- After exploring the palace interiors, guests will ascend to the rooftop observation deck (belvedere) and survey the layout of Bogoroditsk from above. The town's five main streets converge at a single point—the palace's central hall—forming a perfect fan. Legend has it that Catherine the Great cast her fan onto a map, and thus the town was designed.

- After visiting the observation deck, tourists will stroll through Andrey Bolotov Park. This is Russia's first landscape (English) park. Guests will learn about Andrey Bolotov, the "Russian Leonardo." He was an agronomist, writer, artist, and landscape designer.

- Next, guests will visit the Holy Kazan Cathedral in the park. It is a fine example of classical architecture.

- A hearty, "nobleman's style" lunch will be a wonderful conclusion to the program. Bolotov was the first in Russia to cultivate potatoes and tomatoes on a large scale, so the potato dishes here have a "historical connotation."