Catherine Palace, Tsarskoe Selo

This lavish palace at Tsarskoe Selo (the Tsar's Village - since renamed Pushkin, though both are used) was designed by Rastrelli for Tsarina Elizabeth, who named it in honour of her mother, Catherine I, who originally owned the estate. Later, Catherine the Great commissioned a Scotsman, Charles Cameron, to redesign the Baroque interiors according to her more Neo-classical tastes. The Palace was very badly damaged during the 1939-45 war, and restoration is still going on. 20 state rooms at least are now open, as well as the beautiful park.