Squeaky Pavilion

The Squeaking Gazebo, built in 1778–1786 simultaneously with the Chinese Village, stands on the border of Catherine Park and the New Garden of Alexander Park. The pavilion was heavily damaged during the Second World War but was restored by 1956, and after renovation for the 300th anniversary of Tsarskoye Selo, it was reopened to visitors in 2010. Its roof corners feature gilded wooden dragons with bells in their mouths, and the entrance doors now display a Chinese inscription "Welcome" instead of random characters. From the main entrance to the pond descends a stone staircase of twelve steps in the form of expanding semicircles.