Restoring an Oppulent Past

We spent the whole day with four Korean-American tourists, a guide and a driver on a half hour trip to Pushkin to see Catherine the Great and the Pavlovsk Palaces. By the end of the day we were opulenced out and we could quite understood the roots of the Russian revolution. Even though a lot of damage was done to both both buildings during WWII, both have been lovingly restored.

WWII damage to Catherine's Palace

The Grand Reception Room

Dining rooms in excess:

After WWII Pavlovsk's palace

Restored Pavlovsk's Palace

These are the funny plastic slippers that everyone has to wear in both palaces.

Acres of expensive souvenirs are just as excessive as the palaces.