Founded in 1703, within ten years St Petersburg had become capital of the Russian empire and quickly gained a reputation as one of Europe's most beautiful cities. In the 20th century it underwent three name changes, three revolutions and a 900-day siege. For a city only three hundred years old, it has an amazing history.

With its commanding view of the Baltic, the imperial palace at Peterhof is a perfect expression of triumphalism, standing at the centre of a magnificant landscaped park with both French and English gardens.The lavish palace at Pushkin was named Catherine Palace by Tsarina Elizabeth, in honour of her mother, Catherine I, who originally owned the estate.

The tsars spared no expense in decirating these palaces which were not intended for private life but to symbolize the power and wealth of imperial Russia.