Lomonosov: Parks, Palaces and History

Lomonosov tells its story through parks and palaces: the Chinese Palace lies deep in the Upper Park, while Oranienbaum Park brings together different historical landscape designs. If you choose this city for a trip, you can focus on one theme or combine several perspectives—from the park’s layout to the buildings of Peterstadt. The city’s name also takes you back in time: Since 1948, it has been called Lomonosov in honour of the Russian scholar Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov.

Palaces with a history of their own

The Chinese Palace is part of Empress Catherine II’s “Own Dacha” palace and park ensemble. Its location in the Upper Park, surrounded by greenery, connects the building directly with the park landscape. The Grand Menshikov Palace offers a different historical perspective: it is Oranienbaum’s oldest building. The two palaces thus represent different chapters in the local history of architecture, without reducing their significance to a single building.

The surviving architecture also offers a way to explore Peterstadt. Of its buildings, only the Palace of Peter III and the Honour Gate remain. The miniature Palace of Peter III is considered one of the most perfect works of 18th-century architecture for its balanced proportions and sophisticated decoration. This focus on proportions and furnishings offers a concrete way into the architecture of the period: alongside the question of which buildings have survived, their design quality also comes to the fore.

A park in transition

Oranienbaum Park covers 162 hectares and combines a formal layout with a landscape design. These two design forms are part of its historical character. Until the 1770s, the formal layout was the main design approach; it was later replaced by a landscape design. This change tells the story of how park design evolved over time: the history of the grounds is evident not only in their buildings, but also in the development of their overall design.

This distinction offers a useful theme for planning your trip. You can shape your stay around the park’s history, focus on the palaces or combine both interests. This gives you a clearer idea of which aspects of Lomonosov you would like to discover—a practical guide when looking for a holiday apartment for a culturally focused trip.

Exhibitions and nearby connections

The Picture House’s permanent exhibition comprises five rooms: the Double Hall, the Painting Hall, the Cabinet-Library and two rooms in the Kunstkammer. This layout gives the exhibition a clear spatial structure and complements the historic buildings with a look at art and collections. Check before your trip whether it is possible to visit the exhibition.

Another historical connection leads to the village of Ust-Ruditsa near Oranienbaum. There, in 1754, Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov founded a coloured glass factory. This is a separate place in the surrounding area, not part of the city of Lomonosov. The connection also helps explain the scholar’s role in the city’s naming history: in 1948, the city received its current name in his honour. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether to focus on the parks and palaces in Lomonosov or also include this nearby historical connection in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Komarovo, Repino, Solnechnoye, Pesochny, Volodarskaya, Kolpino, Olgino, Pontonnyy.

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