Small Palace

Small palace (aka Semi-circular palace) is the smallest of all palace buildings designed by architect Vasily Bazhenov. In his letters and drawings, he also called it “the fourth house” and “small building.” Together with Grand and Middle palaces it was intended personally for Catherine II. There are only six small rooms inside, including an oval hall and a boudoir.

Bazhenov built the Small Palace on top of a picturesque hill above the Tsaritsyno Pond. This spot used to be occupied by a wooden gazebo, where Catherine II held several sessions of the Supreme Council in 1775. The small palace looks like the natural crest of the hill, repeating its shape. Unlike other palace buildings, the Small Palace is not adorned with rich ornamentation. Only the eastern facade of the palace is crowned with white-stone monogram of the Empress, which later became the logo of the Tsaritsyno Museum. Today exhibitions are held at the Small Palace.