Elizabethan St. Petersburg

The reign of Empress Elizabeth, daughter of Peter the Great, saw St. Petersburg develop into a fine European capital to rival any of those in the West.

The Italian architect, Bartolomeo Rastrelli was commissioned to remodel Peter the Great’s estate of Peterhof, with the Grand Palace and Grand Cascade fountain being luxuriously adorned with gold, precious stones and statues. This reflected Empress Elizabeth’s decadent taste and disregard for the Imperial funds.

The Catherine Palace at Pushkin was turned into a magnificent royal residence with a vast and elaborate Baroque garden. The beautiful Smolny Convent and Winter Palace were commissioned by Empress Elizabeth, but were only completed after her death.

Elizabeth attempted to adopt many of her father’s public policies, unlike many of her predecessors. As the patron of the arts and sciences, she established the Russian Academy of Arts. Empress Elizabeth had a very lively and social personality, and organised regular balls , masquerades and firework displays.

After Elizabeth’s death in 1761, her nephew Peter III became Emperor, but shortly after assuming power he was overthrown by his wife, a German princess, Catherine the Great.

Next: Catherine the Great