Fall colors of maples in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Pyramid Pavilion, located in a quiet, shady corner of Catherine Park in Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin). It was originally built in 1770–1772 by the architect Vasily Neyelov and later reconstructed by Charles Cameron in 1782–1783. The pavilion was designed to resemble an ancient Egyptian mausoleum, reflecting the Romantic era's fascination with antiquity and melancholy ruins. It is constructed of brick and faced with trimmed granite. Buried behind the pyramid are three of the Empress's favorite Italian greyhounds: Tom Anderson, Zemira, and Duchesse. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Fall colors near Marble Bridge (also known as the Palladian Bridge or Siberian Marble Gallery) in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Fall foliage of Children's Island (Ostrov Detskogo Domika) of the Great Pond concealed within the dense autumn foliage in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Marble Bridge (also known as the Palladian Bridge) in Catherine Park, Pushkin, enveloped in the vibrant colors of a Russian autumn. Built in the 1770s, it features a graceful colonnade of Ionic columns carved from blue-grey Ural marble, resting on a sturdy granite base. The bridge spans a narrow channel connecting the Great Pond to smaller neighboring ponds and the "Swan Islands." In the foreground, several mallard ducks glide peacefully across the water. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
"Golden Autumn" of the shores of the Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Reddish foliage of Children's Island (Ostrov Detskogo Domika) of the Great Pond concealed within the dense autumn foliage in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Rich tapestry of deciduous trees on the shores of the Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Orange leaves of maples in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Gothic Gate (Goticheskie Vorota) in the landscape section of Catherine Park. Erected in 1778, the gate was designed by the architect Yury Felten (Georg Friedrich Veldten). The design mimics a Gothic cathedral portal, featuring slender columns that branch into pointed arches with intricate "lace-like" tracery. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Fall colors of oaks in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
One of the two towers forming the Red (Turkish) Cascade (Krasnyy/Turetskiy Kaskad) in Catherine Park. It serves as both a decorative dam and a symbolic monument. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Devil's Bridge (Chertov Most), also known as the Cascade, located near the Upper Ponds in Catherine Park. Built in the 1770s, likely designed by the architect Vasily Neyelov or possibly Antonio Rinaldi, this structure is a classic example of the romantic "ruin" aesthetic popular in 18th-century landscape gardening. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Ramp Alley (Rampovaya Alleya) whic is a historic avenue in Catherine Park, known for its grand canopy of ancient trees and its connection to imperial history. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Devil's Bridge (Chertov Most), also known as the Cascade, located near the Upper Ponds in Catherine Park. It is constructed from rough-hewn limestone and granite blocks (tufa) to resemble a natural rock formation or an ancient grotto. The "bridge" actually functions as a decorative cascade or dam between the ponds. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Yellow leaves of maple trees near the Upper Ponds in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Orange leaves of maple trees near the Upper Ponds in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Group of maple trees near the Upper Ponds in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Hydraulic engineering and bank reinforcement works at Upper Ponds in Catherine Park. The piles of large fieldstones (boulders) and gravel, along with the heavy machinery (an excavator is visible in the background), indicate major landscaping and structural repairs. The area near the Upper Ponds has historically required maintenance to its complex system of dams, sluices, and cascades. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Chinese Gazebo (often called the Creaking Pagoda or Skripuchaya Besedka) which is one of the most eccentric and picturesque structures in Catherine Park. Built between 1778 and 1786, this pavilion was designed by Yury Felten (Georg Friedrich Veldten) at the height of the 18th-century craze for Chinoiserie (Chinese-style art). The pavilion gets its popular nickname from the metal weather vane on its roof. Shaped like a Chinese banner, it was intentionally designed to creak loudly in the wind. Originally, such pavilions served as tea houses or resting spots for the Empress and her court during their walks. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Metal bridge located near the Small Caprice (Malyi Kapriz) in Catherine Park. It spans the water channel connecting the Upper Ponds (Verkhnie Prudki) with the Longitudinal Pond (Prodolny Prud). This area is a critical junction in the park's hydraulic system, where water flows from the upper terraces down towards the Great Pond. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Wheeled excavator (specifically a Cat model) stationed within the drained bed of the Longitudinal Pond in Catherine Park. It is engaged in dredging and channel cleaning operations. It is chosen for its versatility and mobility on firm surfaces like the temporary track laid out in the canal bed. It is equipped with a ditching bucket (wide and flat-edged). The excavator is removing accumulated silt, mud, and decaying organic matter (leaves, branches) from the bottom of the pond. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Maples near the Small Caprice (Malyi Kapriz) in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Kitchen Ruin (Kukhnya-Ruina) which is one of the most historically fascinating and visually authentic follies in Catherine Park. Built between 1785 and 1786, it was designed by the Italian architect Giacomo Quarenghi. It was constructed specifically to serve as a "service pavilion" (a kitchen) for the nearby Concert Hall. Quarenghi incorporated authentic ancient Roman fragments into its brick walls. These include broken columns, capitals, cornices, and friezes with carved garlands, which were brought to Russia from Italy. The headless statue in the niche is a prominent feature, emphasizing the theme of lost time and the decay of empires. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
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Chinese Gazebo (often called the Creaking Pagoda or Skripuchaya Besedka) in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
| Russia, Saint Petersburg, Павловск, 196620, Переулок Мичурина 19а |
Metal bridge located near the Small Caprice (Malyi Kapriz) in Catherine Park. It spans the water channel connecting the Upper Ponds (Verkhnie Prudki) with the Longitudinal Pond (Prodolny Prud). The bridge is a graceful, single-span metal structure with a simple but elegant wrought-iron railing featuring gilded rosette details. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
| сдт «Звёздочка» 6-я линия, СДТ «Звёздочка», Грачёвка, Павловск, Санкт-Петербург, Северо-Западный федеральный округ, 196621, Россия |
Fall colors in area of the Small Caprice (Malyi Kapriz) in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
| 13, Круговая улица, Тярлево, Санкт-Петербург, Северо-Западный федеральный округ, 196625, Россия |
Monument to Alexander Lanskoy (often referred to as the Pamyatnik Lanskomu or simply the marble pedestal/urn), located on the Rose Field (Rozovoe Pole) in Catherine Park. It was erected by Catherine the Great in memory of her young favorite, Alexander Lanskoy, who died suddenly in 1784 at the age of 26. The monument is an example of Neoclassical funerary art, likely designed by Antonio Rinaldi or possibly Giacomo Quarenghi. It features a high pedestal made of grey and pink marble, adorned with bas-reliefs and inscriptions (though these are often weathered). Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
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Area near a metal bridge located near the Small Caprice (Malyi Kapriz) in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
| Центральная линия, СДТ «Звёздочка», Грачёвка, Павловск, Санкт-Петербург, Северо-Западный федеральный округ, 196621, Россия |
Evening Hall (Vecherniy Zal) in Catherine Park. It was built between 1796 and 1810 under the supervision of architect P.V. Neyelov (and possibly Luigi Rusca). This pavilion was intended for evening gatherings, small concerts, and balls. The building is a simple, rectangular Classical structure with a low dome and large arched windows Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
| 34, Берёзовая улица, КП «Онегин парк», Глинка, Фёдоровское городское поселение, Тосненский район, Ленинградская область, Северо-Западный федеральный округ, 187021, Россия |
Italian Pergola located in the Private Garden (Sobstvenny Sadik) of Catherine Park. The pergola was built in 1865 (mid-19th century) during the reign of Alexander II. It was designed specifically to be covered in climbing plants, creating a shaded walkway or "veranda" that offered respite from the sun while allowing views of the obelisk and the surrounding landscape. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
| Russia, Saint Petersburg, Шушары, 196634, Ям-Ижорское Шоссе 8а |
Italian Pergola located in the Private Garden (Sobstvenny Sadik) of Catherine Park. This pergola frames the view of the Kagul Obelisk (Kagulsky Obelisk), which is visible in the background This simple marble needle was erected much earlier, in 1771–1772, by Antonio Rinaldi to commemorate the Russian victory over the Turks at the Battle of Kagul. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
| Транспортная улица, Павловск-2, Пушкин, Санкт-Петербург, Северо-Западный федеральный округ, 196620, Россия |
Italian Pergola located in the Private Garden (Sobstvenny Sadik) of Catherine Park. The pergola is spectacularly draped in wild grapes (likely Parthenocissus quinquefolia or Virginia Creeper). In October, these vines turn a brilliant crimson and burgundy, creating a stunning contrast with the golden yellow leaves of the nearby trees and the cool grey stone of the columns and the obelisk. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
| Вокзальная улица, Гуммолосары, Пушкин, Санкт-Петербург, Северо-Западный федеральный округ, 196620, Россия |
