Il Palazzo di Gatčina (in russo: Большой Гатчинский дворец) fu costruito tra il 1766 ed il 1781 a Gatčina da Antonio Rinaldi per il conte Grigorij Grigor'evič Orlov , il favorito di Caterina II di Russia. Il palazzo si trova su una collina presso il lago Serebryannoe e combina aspetti del castello medievale con quelli della residenza di campagna, mentre gli interni sono un modello di classicismo russo della fine del XVIII — XIX secolo; fu uno delle residenze preferite della famiglia dello zar.
Suburbs of St.Petersburg : Gatchina</ref>
Alexander II of Russia used Gatchina Palace as his second residence. He built a Hunting village and other additions for his Imperial Hunting Crew, and turned the ares south of Gatchina into his retreat, where the Tsar and his guests could indulge in living country-style among unspoiled wilderness and woods of north-western Russia. Alexander II made updates and renovations in the Main Gatchina Palace.
Alexander III of Russia made Gatchina his prime residence, after experiencing a shock and stress of his father's assassination and the palace became known as 'The Citadel of Autocracy' after the Tsar's reactionary policies. He lived most of his time in Gatchina Palace. Here Alexander III made his official state announcements, diplomatic receptions, theatrical performances, masquerades and costumed balls, and other events and entertainment. During his reign, Alexander III introduced major technological modernization in the Gatchina Palace and parks, such as electric lights, telephone network, non-freezing water pipes and modern sewage system.
Nicholas II, the last Russian tsar, spent his youth in the Gatchina Palace. His mother, Empress Maria Fedorovna, widow of Alexander III, was the patron of the city of Gatchina and Gatchina Palace and parks. -->