The Great Gatchina Palace was built in 1766-1781 in Gatchina according to the design of the Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi in the classical style for the favorite of Catherine II, Count Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov. Situated on a hill above the Silver Lake, the palace combines the themes of a medieval castle and a country residence. The interiors of the palace are an example of Russian classicism at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries. The palace was one of the favorite vacation spots of the royal family.