Babolovo Park Babolovo Palace Ruins
Explore the evocative ruins of Babolovo Palace and its vast, natural park, once a private retreat for Russian royalty.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Nature awakens, fewer crowds
Babolovo Park Babolovo Palace Ruins
Best Time
Nature awakens, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the evocative ruins of Babolovo Palace and its vast, natural park, once a private retreat for Russian royalty.
"A beautiful, natural park perfect for peaceful walks and cycling, despite palace renovations."
Wear comfortable shoes
The park is large and best explored on foot. Bring sturdy footwear for walking trails. :athletic_shoe:
Check renovation status
Palace access is restricted due to ongoing renovations. Confirm if the Tsar's Bath is visible. :information_desk:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Tsar's Bath
Babolovo Palace
A massive granite bath, hewn from a single red granite monolith, a testament to imperial grandeur.
Babolovsky Park
Surrounding the palace
A sprawling, natural park with streams, ponds, and a river, ideal for peaceful strolls and nature immersion.
Palace Ruins
Babolovo Palace
The evocative ruins of a former imperial summerhouse, hinting at its Gothic Revival past.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Restoration Underway
Explore the Park
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Wear comfortable shoes
The park is large and best explored on foot. Bring sturdy footwear for walking trails. :athletic_shoe:
Check renovation status
Palace access is restricted due to ongoing renovations. Confirm if the Tsar's Bath is visible. :information_desk:
Bring insect repellent
During warmer months, the park can have mosquitoes. :bug:
Consider a bike
The park is extensive; cycling offers a great way to cover more ground. :bicycle:
Tips
from all over the internet
Wear comfortable shoes
The park is large and best explored on foot. Bring sturdy footwear for walking trails. :athletic_shoe:
Check renovation status
Palace access is restricted due to ongoing renovations. Confirm if the Tsar's Bath is visible. :information_desk:
Bring insect repellent
During warmer months, the park can have mosquitoes. :bug:
Consider a bike
The park is extensive; cycling offers a great way to cover more ground. :bicycle:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors appreciate the natural beauty and tranquility of Babolovsky Park, finding it a peaceful escape. While the palace ruins are intriguing, the ongoing renovation limits interior access and visibility of the famous Tsar's Bath. The park's expansive grounds are ideal for walking and cycling.
"the babolovsky palace with its famous tsar's bath is part of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum Preserve.
1782-1785.
Architect: Ilya Neyelov.
it lies in ruins nowadays. yet the bath is preserved. it's fenced / protected and awaits its restoration. since the babolovsky palace and park were transfered to the tsarskoye selo state museum preserve works at the park have been carried out to recreate the former layout."
Thomas Januarius
"Babolovo or Babolovka was a dacha (myza) of Prince Potemkin in Tsarskoe Selo. It was in 1780 that Catherine II of Russia presented the grounds adjoining the Catherine Park and the Alexander Park to her then-favourite, Potemkin. A temporary wooden palace was built to house the lovers' trysts. It was rebuilt in stone to a Gothic Revival design by Ilya Neyelov between 1782 and 1785. The Babolovsky Palace was essentially a summerhouse with seven rooms giving on to a park, a quaint octagonal tower and no second floor.
Alexander I of Russia used the palace for his furtive rendezvous with Sophia Velho, a court banker's daughter. He commissioned Vasily Stasov to redesign the palace. The tower was replaced with a huge bath hewn from a red granite monolith. Engineer Agustín de Betancourt had it placed within the room before the walls were constructed. The bath weighed 48 tons and was 196 cm high.
The palace fell into disrepair after the Russian Revolution and currently stands in ruins. The granite bath mentioned in one of Pushkin's first poems is still in situ. Other structures in the Babolovsky Park (which covers some 300 ha) have disappeared, apart from an aqueduct from the 1770s and Adam Menelaws' gate separating the two parks."
Me 1974
"Great park with lovely views and terrain."
Richard Smith
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Babolovo Park is part of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum Preserve. You can reach it by public transport from St. Petersburg, typically involving a bus or train to Pushkin, followed by a local bus or taxi to the park entrance. Driving is also an option, with parking available near the park.
Yes, Babolovo Park is adjacent to Catherine Park and Alexander Park. An aqueduct and Adam Menelaws' gate historically separated them, and you can often find pathways connecting these areas, making it easy to explore them together.
The park is quite large, covering about 300 hectares. Walking is a pleasant way to experience its natural beauty, but for covering more distance, consider renting a bicycle. Some visitors suggest it's ideal for a bike ride.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Babolovo Park is part of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum Preserve. While the palace itself is under renovation and access is restricted, entry to the park grounds may require a separate ticket or be included with a general Tsarskoye Selo ticket. It's advisable to check the official Tsarskoye Selo website for the most current ticketing information.
As part of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum Preserve, the park generally follows the preserve's operating hours. However, specific areas or access points might have different timings. It's best to consult the official Tsarskoye Selo website for precise opening and closing times.
Currently, the Babolovo Palace is undergoing a significant 10-year renovation that began in 2018. Access to the interior is restricted for safety and restoration purposes.
During the renovation, the Tsar's Bath may be covered with protective shields to prevent damage from falling debris. Visitors might not be able to see it directly.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The main attraction is the evocative ruins of the palace itself, a former imperial summerhouse. The most preserved feature is the massive granite Tsar's Bath, a unique historical artifact. The surrounding Babolovsky Park is also a significant draw with its natural landscapes.
Originally a dacha for Prince Potemkin, it was rebuilt as a Gothic Revival summerhouse. Later, Alexander I used it for private meetings and commissioned a massive granite bath. It holds a place in Russian literary history, mentioned by Pushkin.
Yes, Babolovo Park's natural setting with streams and ponds makes it a pleasant spot for a picnic. Remember to be respectful of the environment and dispose of any trash properly.
Guided tours are typically available for the broader Tsarskoye Selo State Museum Preserve, which may include information about Babolovsky Park. Check with the official preserve for specific tour offerings that cover this area.
📸 📸 Photography
The ruins of the palace offer a dramatic backdrop. The natural scenery, including streams, ponds, and mature trees, provides ample opportunities for landscape photography. The granite bath, if visible, is a unique subject.
Photography is generally allowed in the park areas. However, due to ongoing renovations, access to certain areas might be restricted, and interior photography of the palace is not permitted. Always be mindful of any signage or guard instructions.
Golden hour, shortly after sunrise or before sunset, can provide beautiful lighting for the ruins and the park's natural landscapes. Midday can be harsh, but offers good light for capturing details.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider bringing a picnic to enjoy amidst the greenery. If you have older children interested in history, you can share stories about the palace's past and the famous Tsar's Bath. Renting bikes can also be a fun family activity to cover more ground in the park.
🚶♀️ Nature Enthusiasts & Walkers
Wear comfortable walking shoes and explore the various trails. The park's serene atmosphere makes it ideal for leisurely strolls, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the tranquility. Even with the palace under renovation, the natural beauty of the park is a significant draw.
🚴♂️ Cyclists
Bring your own bike or inquire about rental options in the nearby town of Pushkin. The trails offer a pleasant route through wooded areas and alongside water features, providing a refreshing cycling experience.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Tsar's Bath: A Monumental Feat
Despite the palace's current ruined state, the granite bath remains in situ. However, during the ongoing renovation, it is often covered to protect it from falling debris, meaning visitors may not always be able to see this incredible artifact.
Its mention in Pushkin's early poems highlights its significance in Russian culture and history, making it a focal point of interest even when the palace itself is inaccessible.
Babolovsky Park: A Natural Escape
The park's terrain is described as moderately cultivated, with many wild flowers, making it a pleasant place for walking and enjoying the outdoors. It's an ideal location for those seeking a peaceful retreat from the city.
Many visitors recommend cycling through the park to cover its extensive grounds, suggesting it's a more efficient way to experience its breadth. The park's natural beauty and tranquility make it a worthwhile destination, even with the palace's limited accessibility.
The Palace's Tumultuous History
In the early 19th century, Alexander I repurposed the palace for his clandestine meetings and commissioned Vasily Stasov to redesign it, most notably adding the monumental granite bath. The palace's fortunes declined after the Russian Revolution, leading to its current state of disrepair.
Since 2018, a decade-long renovation project has been underway, aiming to restore the palace. While this means the interior is inaccessible, it signifies a commitment to preserving this historical landmark for future generations.
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