Great Stone Staircase

The Great Stone Staircase in Pavlovsk connects the palace with the valley of the Slavyanka River and is included in the register of cultural heritage sites of Russia. Built in the late 18th century, the structure made of 64 steps of Putilov stone slab has four flights and narrows towards the top to create a perspective foreshortening effect. The upper platform of the staircase is enclosed by a balustrade made of Pudost limestone with decorative cast-iron vases, and four lion statues are installed at its edges. The left part of the balustrade and one of the lions were damaged by an air bomb during the Great Patriotic War.