 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  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  Oak foliage near Marble Bridge in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  The wilder, naturalistic aesthetic of Alexander Park s landscape section. The visual appeal lies in the layered textures of the undergrowth--a mix of golden birch leaves and red shrubbery--creating a chaotic but harmonious "tapestry" effect. Unlike the formal alleys, this scene emphasizes density and verticality, with thin birch trunks contrasting against the soft, diffuse background of the forest depth. It evokes the intimacy of a forest interior (uncultivated nature), a deliberate romantic counterpoint to the manicured geometry of the nearby "New Garden". Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Marble Bridge (also known as the Palladian Bridge or Siberian Marble Gallery) in Catherine Park. Built in 1772-1774 by the architect Vasily Neelov, it is modeled after the famous Palladian Bridge at Wilton House in England (designed by Inigo Jones and Roger Morris). The bridge is constructed entirely from Ural marble (hence "Siberian"). It features a covered Ionic colonnade resting on a rusticated arch base. It spans a narrow channel connecting the Great Pond with the smaller neighboring ponds (Swan Islands). Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Fall colors near Marble Bridge 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  Autumn landscape of Third Pond of Grand Cascade in Catherine Park from Pavlovsky Bridge of Sadovaya Street. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  The central alley leading to the Arsenal Pavilion, a red-brick neo-Gothic structure designed by Adam Menelaws. Completed in 1834, the Arsenal resembles a medieval castle with crenellated towers and massive arched windows. It was originally built to house Nicholas I s vast collection of medieval arms and armor. The straight alley is a remnant of the formal layout from the earlier "Monbijou" pavilion that stood here, now framed by the mature trees of the surrounding landscape park. After severe damage in WWII, the building was restored and reopened in 2016 as a museum displaying imperial weaponry. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Ancient linden alley near the Feodorovsky Gorodok (Fyodorovsky Town) which is a remnant of the park s imperial landscape design. The gnarled, dark trunks of the linden trees (Tilia) create a solemn, cathedral-like atmosphere. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  From the elevated terrace of the Leuchtenberg Palace, a thoughtfully designed "prospect" (vista) opens up towards the Gulf of Finland, offering a serene coastal panorama framed by autumn foliage. This clearing was intentionally cut through the forest in the 19th century to create a direct visual link between the palace and the sea, a common feature in romantic landscape architecture. The busy road visible in the middle ground is the Oranienbaum Highway, which separates the upper park from the lower coastal meadows. In the distance, the grey-blue waters of the Gulf of Finland merge with the overcast sky, creating a vast, moody backdrop that emphasizes the estate s prime coastal location. Sergievka Park, Old Peterhof, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2025  Krestovy Bridge (Cross Bridge) located in Alexander Park in the town of Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoe Selo), near Saint Petersburg. It has Chinoiserie (Chinese-style) architecture, popular in the 18th century. A pavilion rests on four joined arches over the canal, creating a cross shape. It features glazed bricks (crimson, yellow, blue) and a curved "fish scale" roof. Built in 1779 by the Neyelovs for Catherine the Great, it is a key landmark of the park s "New Garden" area. 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  Naturalistic style of the English landscape garden, which dominates the areas surrounding the formal canals, with rich textural contrast between the golden maples and dark evergreen firs, creating a painterly composition typical of 19th-century Russian park design. The untamed, wilder growth of the underbrush and tall grasses contrasts with the manicured lawns found elsewhere, evoking a sense of romantic melancholy suited to the "golden autumn" season. The dense, layered foliage creates an intimate, enclosed space that feels removed from the grand palace architecture, focusing entirely on the mood of the forest. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Layered perspective of the Krestovy Canal s Chinoiserie architecture. The Small Chinese Bridge frames the scene with its limestone portico and iron lattice railing (1786). The canal leads the eye directly to the Cross Bridge (1779), its arch rising over the water with the distinct "globular pendant" hanging from the vault. The bridges are aligned along the canal s axis, creating a visual corridor characteristic of the park s "New Garden" layout, emphasized here by the autumnal frame of maple trees. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Stone bridge in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2016  Swan Ponds and Marble Bridge in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2017  "Natural" path of English Landscape Park near Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Marble Bridge in west area of Big Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2017  Rustic stone arch bridge, nestled deep within the Sergievka Park ravine. Built from rough-hewn granite blocks, the bridge was designed to look ancient and weather-beaten even when new, fitting the 19th-century romantic preference for melding architecture with wild nature. The bridge spans a small cascade of the Kristatelka River, where water tumbles over mossy stone steps, creating a soothing auditory backdrop to the visual serenity. The scene is framed by golden maples and fallen leaves that carpet the banks and settle into the stream s rocky bed, enhancing the secluded, fairy-tale atmosphere. Sergievka Park, Old Peterhof, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2025  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  Hermitage Pavilion in Catherine Park, designed by the Italian court architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli in Elizabethan Baroque style. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  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  Pudost Stone Bridge Weir in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2017  Secluded path winding through the English Landscape Park, near the Swan Islands at the southern end of the Great Pond 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  Ruined Cascade situated in a deep ravine that serves as the boundary between Old Sylvia and New Sylvia. Designed by Vincenzo Brenna in 1794, it was intended to look like a collapsed antique aqueduct or bridge. The rustic birch-trunk railing (visible in your photo) is a signature element of this specific cascade, contrasting with the stone vases and masonry to emphasize the "wild" nature of the Sylvia district, October 6, 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  Marble Bridge of Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 23, 2019  Great Pond and Marble Bridge in Catherine Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 18, 2021  Pudost Stone Bridge Weir at Upper Ponds in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2017  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  Marble Bridge from east in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Marble Bridge from north in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Marble Bridge in Ekaterininsky (Catherine) Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), a suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 25, 2017  Red Cascade or Turkish Cascade in Catherine Park. The Red Cascade is a dam that regulates the water level between the Upper Ponds and the Great Pond. The two "towers" flanking the crossing are designed in the Gothic style, featuring red brick walls with white limestone details, pointed arches, and niche windows. It was built in the 1780s by the engineer Ivan Gerard, likely based on designs by the architect Vasily Neelov. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Great Pond in Catherine Park, near Marble Bridge. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Empty Island in Catherine Park, near Marble Bridge. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Marble Bridge of Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Marble Bridge at Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  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  Looking down the Krestovy Canal from the deck of one of the Small Chinese Bridges. The cast-iron railing belongs to the Small Chinese Bridge, characterized by its geometric lattice and gilded ball details, cast at the Sestroretsk Arms Factory. The structure in the distance is the Krestovy Bridge (Cross Bridge), positioned centrally over the canal axis. This perspective illustrates the linear layout of the "New Garden" section of Alexander Park, visually connecting the two Chinoiserie-style crossings. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Red Cascade or Turkish Cascade in Catherine Park. The Rust Red (8A611E) of the brickwork complements the surrounding Golden Orange (BB812a) foliage perfectly. The rough texture of the brick and the stepped stone cascade creates a rustic, "ruin-like" aesthetic that was highly fashionable in 18th-century landscape design. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Reflections of Marble Bridge in Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Great Pond and Marble Bridge in Ekaterininsky (Catherine) Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), a suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 25, 2017  Pudost Stone Bridge Weir in Catherine Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 18, 2021  Pudost Stone Bridge Weir in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 23, 2019  Marble Bridge and Empty Island in Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Fall foliage around Marble Bridge in Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Fall colors around Marble Bridge of Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  One of the Small Chinese Bridges (Small Iron Bridges) crossing the Krestovy Canal. Originally wooden (1781), they were replaced with cast iron versions forged at the Sestroretsk Arms Factory in 1786. Designed by Charles Cameron, who also planned the nearby Chinese Village. The bridge features intricate iron lattice railings and is framed by distinctive porticoes formed of paired columns with "Chinese-style" curved sheet-iron roofs. The columns are painted to mimic colored marble, and the structure was fully restored in the 21st century. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Stone foot bridge in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Pudost Stone Bridge Weir in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Upper Ponds and a stone bridge of Ramp Alley in Catherine Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 18, 2021  Pudost Stone Bridge Weir in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Central axis of the "Old Garden" (Regular Park), known as Hermitage Alley (Ermitazhnaya alleya) in Catherine Park. In the 18th century, this alley was the promenade for courtiers moving between the formal receptions at the Palace and the intimate, private parties at the Hermitage. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Petrovsky Bridge in Oranienbaum Park. The bridge is a three-arched stone structure built in 1910 (designed by O. Paulson) to replace an older wooden one. It features rough-hewn stone masonry on the lower arches contrasting with lighter brick detailing and white balustrades along the top. It spans the Karasta River, which flows through a valley currently filled with vibrant orange and golden foliage from the surrounding maple and oak trees. Oranienbaum palace-and-park ensemble in Lomonosov (a suburb of St. Petersburg), Russia, October 13, 2025  This view from the Small Chinese Bridge captures the northwestern stretch of the Krestovy Canal. The canal creates a straight, reflective corridor lined with golden maples, emphasizing the transition from the formal "New Garden" to the more naturalistic landscape park areas. Looking northwest, the canal leads toward the Alexander Palace and its kitchen buildings, which are situated to the right of this axis, hidden behind the dense tree line. The scene highlights the park s quiet, wooded character, contrasting with the architectural focus of the opposite view towards the Cross Bridge. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Arches of the ramp in Catherine Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 18, 2021  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  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  Evening view that provides a dramatic, upward-looking perspective of St. Olaf s Church (Oleviste kirik) from the street level (near Lai 48), emphasizing the towering scale of its west facade. The image is dominated by the massive limestone tower of St. Olaf s. The perspective highlights the transition from the square base to the octagonal upper stages, a typical feature of Gothic architecture in the Hanseatic region. The long, narrow window with its pointed arch (lancet window) is a defining Gothic element, allowing light into the nave. To the right, you can see the upper stories of the adjacent building (likely Lai 48 or 50). Its simple, plastered facade and regularly spaced windows provide a domestic scale that contrasts with the monumental church. The distinctive rain gutter (downspout) on the left foreground acts as a framing element, drawing the eye upward. This view underscores why St. Olaf s was once the tallest building in the world (1549-1625). The sheer verticality visible here was originally intended to serve as a landmark for trading ships approaching Tallinn s harbor. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Stone bowl in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2016  A poetic tribute "Pushkin was here" to the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin in Catherine Park. The symbols on the bench carry specific meanings related to his time at the Imperial Lyceum (located just nearby), where he studied from 1811 to 1817. The Bicorne Hat (Cocked Hat): This represents the uniform worn by the students of the Imperial Lyceum. The Open Book: A symbol of his literary genius and his constant immersion in reading and writing poetry, often done while wandering this very park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Eastern gates of the Feodorovsky Cathedral (Fedorovsky Sobor), framed by a magnificent display of autumn foliage. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Linden trees in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2016  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  Stone towers of Red (Turkish) Cascade in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2016  Fall colors of oaks in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Fall colors of maples 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  Palladiev (Siberian) Bridge in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2016  Fall colors of Catherine Park from Sadovaya Street. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Palladiev (Siberian) Bridge from Big Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2016  Maples near the Small Caprice (Malyi Kapriz) in Catherine Park. 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  Foliage near Red Cascade showin "Golden Autumn" in Catherine Park. 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  Grotto Pavilion and Great Pond (Bolshoy Prud) in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Chinese Gazebo (often called the Creaking Pagoda or Skripuchaya Besedka) in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Fall colors in area of the Small Caprice (Malyi Kapriz) in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Marble fountain of Personal Garden in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 23, 2016  Lower Lamsky Bridge (Nizhny Lamskoy Bridge). It acts as a dam between the ponds and the Kuzminka River. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  The park s blend of formal structure and natural landscape during autumn. The image captures a long, straight avenue typical of the park s 18th-century layout, creating a mesmerizing "tunnel" effect. :200b Oranienbaum palace-and-park ensemble in Lomonosov (a suburb of St. Petersburg), Russia, October 13, 2025  Bronze sculpture of Marcus Cocceius Nerva (reigned 96-98 AD), the first of the "Five Good Emperors" of Rome on the "Great Lawn" (Parterre) of the Landscape Park, directly in front of the Granite Terrace in Catherine Park. He is depicted seated, draped in a toga that exposes his muscular torso, holding a scroll (a symbol of law or wisdom) in his right hand. Catherine the Great and her successors viewed their own reign through the lens of Enlightened Absolutism, often drawing parallels between the Russian Empire and the Pax Romana. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  The view through the porticoes of one Small Chinese Bridge (often called the Second Small Chinese Bridge) that frames the Cross Bridge in the distance. The twin porticoes, with their "Chinese" peaked roofs and paired columns, create a natural proscenium that directs the eye straight down the canal. The foreground showcases the bridge s vibrant ironwork--geometric lattices and gilded details--contrasting with the brick arch of the Cross Bridge and the soft autumn foliage beyond. This alignment exemplifies the park s deliberate theatricality, using architectural "wings" (the porticoes) to stage the view of the central pavilion. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  This sequence of disjointed stone steps, winding up the leaf-covered slope, exemplifies the "landscape surprise" element typical of the Sergievka Park design. Unlike the straight, formal staircases of the nearby Peterhof Grand Palace, these steps are scattered and uneven, inviting visitors to meander through the forest rather than march directly to a destination. The steps are almost camouflaged by a vibrant mosaic of fallen yellow and brown leaves, making them appear as natural rock formations emerging from the hillside. The staircase sequence gently ascends the steep ravine bank, integrating perfectly with the surrounding old-growth trees and emphasizing the park s wild, preserved character. Old Peterhof, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2025  Crested coral mushrooms (Clavulina coralloides)(?) under spruce trees in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2017  Marble fountain and arbor of Personal Garden in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 23, 2016  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  Fall colors of Children s Island (Ostrov Detskogo Domika) of the Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Metal Bridge and Turkish Cascade from Palladiev (Siberian) Bridge in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 23, 2016  Marble Fountain of Sobstvenny Sadik (Private Garden) in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Stone Island of Big Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 23, 2016  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  Maple trees near a foot bridge of Vittolovsky Canal in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2017  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  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 |
