Grotto Pavilion

Beauty

Rastrelli built a grotto at the edge of the pond in 1753–1757. An unspecified councilor Rossi from Italy directed the work and the interior decoration of the pavilion. Back then it was modern to decorate a few rooms in the castles and individual pavilions in the parks with shells and tufa. Such a sala terrena was also in the Catherine Palace, but was removed due to the ingress of moisture, and the mussels were installed in the new pavilion.

The trees of the dear arches bent over me, Quiet coolness of spreading birches! Here is our familiar meadow; here is a cliff dear to us: To his height, sons of youthful freedom, Pets, pets and Phoebus, and Nature, We used to tear through the thick wood And they left the weak the smooth path with contempt! O time sweet and foreign to sorrow! The peace of my soul has disappeared forever And the magic dreams left me? I find fun in one memory: Eyes full of involuntary tears! So, you drove off, my golden years; But - be praise to fate: I am here again, again, In this peaceful pier, I come to life all! I stand - and the waters spread like a mirror I think a bridge, hills, shores, coastal forest And the bright azure of cloudless skies! How often, sitting here in the midnight twinkle, For a month I looked in ecstatic silence! Places are lovely, where sublime muses, And their wondrous flame, and holy joys, An impulse for greatness, love for good - for the first time We found out, and where is our triple alliance, The union of young singers, both pure and sacred, A prisoner with an omnipotent skill and friendship, Was fortified with brotherly stone! May he be unforgettable for us to the grave: Neither clear joy nor dark suffering, Neither bliss, nor self-interest, nor seeking honor - Nothing can remove my soul from you! And in sweet songs and in glory competition Will unite rivals-friends more closely! Why are you not here, the chosen ones of the harit? You, my Delvig, my lazy sage, Careless and happy in his carelessness!

Cool pavilion, quality restored interior

In any weather Magical place! And what a view of the whole Big Pond!