Peterhof: Tsarskoye Selo: Pavlovsk; Иван Федоров, 2003

The majestic image of St. Petersburg is inseparable from the luxurious Imperial palace-and-park residences surrounding the northern capital of Russia - Peterhof, Tsarskoye Selo, and Pavlovsk. All these architectural complexes taken together build up an integral historical and artistic chronicle of Russian life and culture. They came into being at the same time as the city and, in accordance with Peter I's plans, became a delightful and fitting frame for Petersburg. The regular and landscaped parks of these ensembles rival the best achievements in the art of landscape gardening. During the Second World War these treasure-houses of culture suffered, great damage and seemed to have been lost for ever. However, Russia's indestructible-creative potential has made it possible to recover the seemingly irreparable losses - thanks to the great talents and strenuous efforts of restorers the palaces have risen from the ashes and the saved authentic paintings have been gradually returned to the same display rooms. Today, the immortal beauty of the palace-and-park ensembles continue to give aesthetic pleasure to people helping them overcome the tribulations of life and instilling a reverence for higher spiritual values.

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