Priory Palace

It was built in 1799 by the architect Nikolay Lvov on the shore of the Black Lake (Chyornoye ozero / Чёрное озеро).

The Priory is the only surviving architectural monument in Russia built mainly by the technology of earthwork: layers of compacted loam are poured with lime mortar.

The walls of the palace, the fence, and the court buildings were built using this technology.

[1] The retaining wall is made of the famous Pudost stone, with which many of Gatchina's buildings were built.

[2] The researchers note the precision of the layout of the Priory, the original composition, and the characteristic refusal of symmetry.