The State Museum-Reserve "Pavlovsk" is the main attraction of the city of Pavlovsk, located near St. Petersburg. This palace and park ensemble began to be created in the late 18th century and was completed by the early 20th century. Since 1990, it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Famous architects participated in the design and decoration of the complex. The palace was initially built according to the project of Charles Cameron, and later its interiors and appearance were refined by Andrey Voronikhin, Giacomo Quarenghi, and Karl Rossi. The last major restoration took place in 1972.

The history of the "Pavlovsk" museum-reserve begins in the 13th century, when the first settlement with a wooden fortress appeared on the banks of the Slavyanka River. These picturesque lands long served as hunting grounds for Russian emperors. Catherine II often visited this place and eventually gifted it to her son Paul Petrovich and his wife Maria Feodorovna in honor of the birth of their son.

Initially, two wooden estates were built here, "Paullyust" and "Mariental." Later, the Pavlovsky Palace was constructed on the site of "Paullyust," and the fortress "Bip" replaced the second estate. The settlement was originally called Pavlovskoye village, and Paul intended to create his residence here, but ultimately chose Gatchina. After his ascension to the throne, Pavlovsk was granted city status and was handed over to Maria Feodorovna, who lived in the palace even after her husband's death.

After Maria Feodorovna's death, Pavlovsk passed to Mikhail Pavlovich, brother of Nicholas I. Under him, the city actively developed: roads were built, shelters and educational institutions for the children of ordinary townspeople and merchants were opened.

In the 19th century, Pavlovsk became a center of cultural life thanks to the railway connection with St. Petersburg, turning into a popular dacha suburb. Entertainment events were often held here, and famous musicians performed at the station.

After the 1917 revolution, the city was renamed Slutsk in honor of revolutionary Vera Slutskaya. The museum-reserve fell into decline, and many valuable collections were looted. During the Great Patriotic War, the territory suffered greatly.

In 1944, the city was returned to its historical name Pavlovsk. In 1946, large-scale restoration work on the museum-reserve began, which continued for several decades. Since 1989, Pavlovsk has been included again in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The attractions of the "Pavlovsk" museum-reserve include the Pavlovsky Palace and extensive parks. Although it does not have the luxury of "Peterhof" or "Tsarskoye Selo," the nature and parks of Pavlovsk impress with their beauty. The Pavlovsky Palace was built between 1782 and 1787 according to the design of Charles Cameron. After the coronation of Paul I in 1796, the Italian architect Vincenzo Brenna gave the palace a more solemn appearance.

During the time of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich, son of Nicholas I, the palace housed the Museum of Antiquities and the Picture Gallery. The layout of the palace resembles a horseshoe, and its facade is adorned with white columns and sculptures. Today, the Pavlovsky Palace is a museum complex with more than 45 halls, showcasing unique art collections.

Pavlovsky Park, one of the largest in Europe, covers 600 hectares. Its landscape harmoniously blends with buildings and sculptures. The park is divided into seven areas, each with its own attractions, such as pavilions, bridges, and monuments.

Visitors to the museum-reserve can take advantage of guided tours, as well as participate in lectures, concerts, and festivals. In summer, horse-drawn carriage rides and electric vehicle tours are available, while in winter, skiing is offered. The picturesque expanses of Pavlovsk are perfect for photo shoots and video recordings.