Constantine Palace, Baroque palace in Strelna, Russia
The Constantine Palace is a Baroque building in Strelna, a few kilometers west of Saint Petersburg, standing directly on the shore of the Finnish Gulf. The symmetrical gardens run in straight lines down to the water, while the facade is painted in white and light blue.
Tsar Peter the Great began construction in 1720 and commissioned the French architect Jean-Baptiste Alexandre Le Blond to design the residence. After several changes of ownership and renovations, the building served as a summer residence for grand dukes during the 19th century.
The halls take their names from the colors of their original wall coverings and drapes, which have been carefully reproduced during each restoration. Visitors today see furniture and paintings by Russian masters that show how nobles arranged their residences in the past century.
Guided tours take visitors through three main rooms: the Blue Hall with parquet floors, the Marble Hall with windows facing the sea, and the Belveder Hall for events. Access is only allowed with a group, and tickets should be booked in advance.
Since 2003, the building has served as a congress palace for international summits and meetings, including gatherings of the G20. The historic halls are used for receptions and official ceremonies, while tours take place between events.
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