Museums of Russia: "Tsarskoye Selo" Museum-Reserve finished the complete restoration of the Lyon Hall

The "Tsarskoye Selo" Museum-Reserve officially opened the Lyon Hall, which restoration has been recently completed.

The Lyon Hall was part of the private apartments of Catherine II and was the favourite ceremonial drawing-room of Empress Maria Alexandrovna. The hall is beautifully decorated with lapis lazuli, "golden" silk, genuine parquet with a pearl inlay. It is the only interior in Russia decorated with 2.5 tons of natural lapis lazuli. It is a unique work in the "Russian mosaic" technique. The luxury style of the Lyon Hall may be compared with the famous Amber Room. The large-scale restoration took place in several stages.