Pavlovsk

18th century summer residence of Paul I, son of Catherine the Great, and subsequently of his widow, Maria, after his murder. Located close to Catherine's Palace it was saved as a museum after the Revolution. More than 13,000 items such as painting, sculpture, clocks, porcelain, furniture, crystal etc. were packed up and spirited away at the beginning of WWII. The palace was occupied and subsequently trashed by the Germans, but it  was able to be painstakingly restored in the 50's, 60's and 70's thanks to the safe keeping of many of the possessions in addition to the preservation of documentation about the palace.

Many visitors overlook Pavlovsk and only tour Catherine's Palace but we all really enjoyed our visit here and recommend a visit here too.