Kadriorg Palace is a coral-pink Baroque landmark in Tallinn, built on the orders of Peter the Great as a summer residence for his wife, Catherine I. Construction began in 1718, with Italian architect Nicola Michetti overseeing the design. The palace and surrounding Kadriorg neighbourhood take their name from Catherine: Kadriorg means “Catherine’s valley” in Estonian.
Today, the palace houses the Kadriorg Art Museum, whose collection of foreign art includes European paintings, sculpture and decorative objects. The building is as compelling as the exhibits: upstairs, the Great Hall is a highlight, with elaborate stucco and a painted ceiling. Allow about an hour for the galleries, then wander through Kadriorg Park or continue to nearby Kumu, Estonia’s major art museum.
The park is free to explore, while the museum requires a ticket. Trams from central Tallinn stop near the park, making the palace an easy excursion from the Old Town. Check the museum’s current opening hours before setting out, and visit in summer if you want to see the gardens at their most colourful.