SAEDNEWS: Catherine Palace: One of St. Petersburg’s Most Beautiful and Captivating Attractions, a Must-See for Every Visitor to Russia
According to the Saed News Society Service, this beautiful palace, located in the Tsars’ village, is already a story in itself. But today, our focus is not on the palace itself—it’s on the magical Amber Room that once adorned it, a room with a strange, even astonishing history.
The story of the Amber Room in Russia begins in the grand Catherine Palace, built by Catherine I. Within this palace once stood a priceless room, whose current whereabouts remain a mystery. Situated in the residence of Peter the Great’s second wife, the Russian queen who owned the palace, the room was crafted entirely from amber and lavishly decorated with gold and countless precious stones. The Amber Room became so famous that for nearly two centuries, anyone who heard of it was drawn to its allure.
For years, the Amber Room enjoyed the same luxurious life as the other rooms in Catherine Palace—until the Nazis invaded Saint Petersburg. Astonishingly, within just a few hours, Nazi forces vanished the Amber Room from Catherine Palace, taking six tons of amber with them. Historical records indicate that the Amber Room, also known as the “Amber Chamber,” was originally constructed in the early 18th century in Prussia. During World War II, its intricate decorations were reportedly transported to Königsberg by the occupying forces.
The disappearance of the Amber Room remains one of the most mysterious losses of treasures in history. Covering eleven square meters, its walls were adorned entirely with amber, various gemstones, and unique artistic creations. Built in 1716 for Frederick, King of Prussia, it was located near Catherine Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
When Hitler invaded Russia, he attempted to transfer the room to Germany. However, the walls began to crumble, and even attempts to stabilize them with wallpaper proved futile. From 1941 to 1945, no one knew of its whereabouts, and after the war, the Amber Room vanished without a trace.
Was it buried in a secret underground location? Destroyed by fire? The truth remains unknown to this day.
Fortunately, a reconstructed version of the Amber Room now exists in Catherine Palace. Experts estimate that if the original room existed today, it would be worth around $142 million.
