Russian museums: The Museum-Reserve “Tsarskoe Selo” was awarded the European Union for achievements in the field of cultural heritage protection

March 20, 2014 the European Commission and Europa Nostra organization announced the winners of the prestigious European Union, awarded for achievements in the field of cultural heritage protection. Among the winners – the Museum-Reserve "Tsarskoye Selo", submitted a project of restoration of Agate Rooms of the pavilion "Cold Bath", which were inaugurated in September last year.

The large-scale restoration works in Tsarskoye Selo attracted the attention of European experts, who noted the high quality of the scientific approach to the restoration project and awarded the prize in the traditionally most extensive category of "Heritage preservation".

The agate rooms - private apartments of the Empress Catherine II, created in the 1780s by Scotsman Charles Cameron, considered "one of the most exquisite interiors of the XVIII century in Europe". Becoming one of the jewels of Tsarskoselsky ensemble, these seven interiors are unique as in artistic and technical manner and have no analogues in Russia, nor in the world. For the decoration there were used different varieties of jasper, which unlike marble is extremely difficult to process.

Despite the loss of wartime, unique decor of Agate Rooms is preserved almost completely. Thanks to virtuoso of the restoration, a masterpiece of Cameron appeared before us almost distorted renovations later eras - almost the way Catherine II and her contemporaries saw him.

The ceremony of awarding of the winners will be held in Vienna in the European Heritage Congress on May 5, 2014.