Gatchina

Gatchina gäˈchēnə [key], city (1989 pop. 80,000), NW European Russia. The city developed around the imperial palace (built 1766–81), which was used as a summer residence by Paul I in the 18th cent. and was a favorite residence of the Russian czars. The palace (now a museum) was looted and damaged by the Germans in World War II and has been partly restored. The Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute is in Gatchina.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: CIS and Baltic Political Geography