“A palace of Congresses” they called it. But what secrets does the Konstantinovsky Palace hold?
The Konstantinovsky Palace stands before you a majestic structure with a rich and complex history. It began not as a palace but as a vision of Peter the Great. He dreamed of a summer residence surpassing even Versailles. Construction began in 1720. However Peter abandoned the project. He chose Peterhof instead. The palace’s architect Michetti left Russia taking his designs with him.
Years passed. Empress Elizabeth I revived Peter’s dream. She commissioned the renowned Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli. The palace finally took shape. It became the property of Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich. Thus its name. His son Konstantin further enhanced the residence. The palace’s facade finally reached completion during his time.
Tragedy struck after the 1917 revolution. The Konstantinovsky Palace fell into ruin. Invaluable treasures were lost. The palace served various purposes. It was a school a sanatorium and a naval training center. World War II brought further devastation. Shelling and fire reduced the palace to a skeletal remains.
Yet hope remained. In 1990 UNESCO protected the palace and its park. President Vladimir Putin took action. He declared the Konstantinovsky Palace a presidential residence. Extensive restoration followed. The palace reopened as the Palace of Congresses.
Today the Konstantinovsky Palace shines once more. It hosted over fifty heads of state. It was the scene of the G8 summit. Now it hosts high-level meetings conferences and even cultural events. Its halls echo with the voices of world leaders and the whispers of history. Step inside. Discover its enduring legacy.