The original name of the town is Oranienbaum (which means "an orange tree" in German). Probably, this strange name originates from the fact that exotic trees of the South were grown in the palace conservatories. In 1948, the name of the town was changed to Lomonosov to commemorate the works of the famous Russian scientist who lived here. Now, the town is known under both names. Oranienbaum is located on the southern bank of the Gulf of Finland.

The formation of the town's architectural ensemble began with the construction of the Grand Palace (1710-1725, designed by the architects Giovanni Fontana and Gotfried Schödel; in 1760-1780 reconstructed in Baroque style under the supervision of the architect Antonio Rinaldi). At the time when the palace was under construction, the formation of the park began. Later, this park would be named the Lower Park . This is a typical example of parks with regular planning. Such parks often appeared in Russia in the first half of the 18-th century, and they were very much like French parks of that epoch. /p>

The central part of the palace is connected with two pavilions with domes by arch-like galleries, and the luxuriously decorated main staircase (1772-1775, designed by Antonio Rinaldi) leads to the Lower Park. The compositional axis of the park is a canal connected with the sea.

In 1756-1770, the landscape Upper Park was formed. It was in this park that the architect Rinaldi constructed the Palace of Peter III, the Chinese Palace and the Sledging Hill Pavilion.

Apprehending the style of the epoch, the architect Antonio Rinaldi exquisitely combined the features of the festive, luxurious, but out-of-date Baroque with the features of modest and logical Classicism in the design of palaces and pavilions of Oranienbaum. The Rococo style was also reflected in the architecture and decorations of the palaces of Oranienbaum.

The years of the World War II were a very difficult epoch for Oranienbaum: in September 1941, the town was besieged by Nazi and, for two years and six months, the town was isolated from Leningrad : it was possible to get to Leningrad only by sea. Yet the famous "little plot of land in Oranienbaum" became an important strategic point for the advance of the Soviet Army, and, on January 20, 1943 , the defenders of Oranienbaum joined the rest of the Armed Forces. The siege was over.

During the first months of the war, the precious collections of the museums were evacuated to the rear. Thanks to the courage of the defenders of "the little plot of land in Oranienbaum", the unique palaces and parks were only slightly damaged. Reconstruction of palaces and parks of Oranienbaum began immediately after World War II. In 1946, the Upper Park was opened for visitors. Then the Chinese Palace was opened. In 1953, this was followed by the Palace of Peter III, and in 1959 – by the Sledging Hill Pavilion.

Assembly.M Tour Company