The tower-ruin is one of the historical park buildings located in the landscape part of the Catherine Park, in the former Tsarskoye Selo (now the city of Pushkin in St. Petersburg).
The tower-ruin was erected in the southern part of the park in 1771-1773, designed by the architect Yu. M. Felten, at the behest of the Empress Catherine II.
The tower is one of the memorial architectural structures dedicated to the Russian-Turkish wars, erected in Tsarskoye Selo in honor of the victories of the Russian army in the Russian-Turkish war in 1768-1774. It is a kind of symbol of the fall of the Ottoman Port.
The monument was and still is a small semblance of the remains of an ancient Turkish fortress, consisting of a tower and an adjacent part of the fortress wall with a system of defensive devices, which are partially hidden in an artificial earthen embankment (mountain). The tower itself is crowned by a gazebo, which was once one of the first Russian park buildings in the "Gothic" style.
The surface of the walls of the structure was artificially "aged" with cracks that imitate natural damage, and a painting was painted on top of the plaster under the direction of the artist A. I. Belsky. Thanks to all this, the Tower resembles the ruins of a fortress structure.
The wall of the building, facing the center of the park, has a large semicircular arch, in the upper part of which, on the stone, the inscription is carved: "In memory of the war declared by the Turks of Russia, this stone was placed in 1768."
The tower-ruin can be climbed and today it is also a popular viewing platform Catherine Park.
In the tower there is a spiral ramp, which allows you to climb to the top platform of the tower, located at a height of 21 meters.
From the top of the tower, you can enjoy panoramic views of part of the Catherine Park.
Practical information
You can climb to the top of the ruins tower for free.
The tower-ruin is located in the Catherine Park, Pushkin, St. Petersburg.
Tower coordinates: 59°42'35.0"N 30°23'02.0"E (59.709722, 30.383889).
Catherine Park with a tower and pavilions, together with Catherine's Palace, belong to the State Museum-Reserve "Tsarskoe Selo".
In the summer season (somewhere from the second half of April to mid-October), the entrance to the Catherine Park is paid.
In the Catherine Palace, you can visit the restored halls.
Tickets to the park, some of the pavilions of the park and the halls of the palace can be purchased at the box office, or in advance-online on the official website.
The opening hours of the park and the palace, as well as the conditions of the visit and the cost of tickets, we recommend that you check on the website of the State Museum-Reserve "Tsarskoe Selo": tzar.
You can visit Tsarskoye Selo with one of the excursions
In Pushkin, near the Catherine Park and the palace, you can stay
The 5-star Pevcheskaya Tower Hotel features restaurants, a bar, a rooftop observation deck, free Wi-Fi and parking.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
The 5-star luxury spa hotel "Tsar Palace Luxury Hotel & SPA"is located in a historic building.
The hotelfeatures a spa area with a swimming pool, a hammam, a salt sauna, a snow fountain, steam baths and a gym; free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, 2 restaurants, a lobby bar, private parking and meeting and conference rooms.
The rooms are equipped with climate control, a minibar, a safe and a private bathroom.
A buffet breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
3-star hotel Ekaterina, located on the territory of the Catherine Palace and Park Ensemble.
At the hotel: 24-hour front desk, cafe, free Wi-Fi and parking.
Each room here will provide you with air conditioning, a TV, a work desk and free toiletries.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
All accommodation facilities in St. Petersburg, including in the city center and in Pushkin, can be viewed and booked here
