White Lake, Federal cultural heritage site in Gatchina, Russia
White Lake spreads across the grounds of Gatchina Palace and features multiple islands connected by wooden bridges and stone embankments. The shoreline is arranged with landscaped areas that shape the overall composition of the grounds.
The lake became part of the Gatchina ensemble in 1790 when Paul I commissioned the creation of decorative features around its shores. This transformation made it a key component of the palace grounds as they were newly designed.
The lake forms a central element of the Gatchina ensemble, where water and buildings from the 18th century come together as one composition. Walking around, visitors encounter different garden styles from Europe reflected in the islands and shoreline areas.
Access to the lake is through the main gate of Gatchina Palace Park, where marked paths circle the water. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the paths vary in surface and cover the full grounds.
The lake contains five artificial islands, each designed with specific landscaping patterns. These islands showcase different influences from European garden traditions, making them visually distinct from one another as you explore them.
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