The gates of Peter III’s play fortress on the territory of Oranienbaum are a characteristic example of small-scale architecture. They served as the entrance to a miniature training ground built for the young heir to the throne. Here, the future emperor studied military science in a recreated fortification setting. The entire complex occupied an area of 2 hectares.

The architectural design of the gates was developed by Antonio Rinaldi. The Italian architect embodied their artistic image at the intersection of Rococo and early Classicism styles. Above the main structure of the gates stands an octagonal turret crowned with a weather vane, which bears the date of the start of construction – 1757. The superstructure above the gate arch was conceived as an observation point – a place from which the surroundings could be surveyed while awaiting the approach of the army of a hypothetical enemy.

The Honorary Gates led to the fortress parade ground. Their compositional structure is extremely clear and is based on the contrast between the entrance part, designed with strong forms, and the elegant tower above the gates. The sense of massiveness of the archway is enhanced by the wide pilasters of the Tuscan order framing the arch’s pylons, and the keystone crowning its “strained curve.” This impression is also supported by the simple-shaped pilaster strips introduced into the composition of the end sides.

The gate tower consists of a glazed octagonal lantern turret, “from which the guard was supposed to observe the approach of the imaginary enemy,” and a dome with a spire. From the elevation on which the Honorary Gates are located, there is a wonderful view of the Lower Pond and the Japanese Pavilion of the Grand Palace rising behind it in a curve. The elegant, surprisingly proportionate, and compositionally distinctive Honorary Gates are a unique monument of small-scale architecture, unparalleled in the suburbs of Saint Petersburg.

The architectural design of the gates was developed by Antonio Rinaldi. The Italian architect embodied their artistic image at the intersection of Rococo and early Classicism styles. Above the main structure of the gates stands an octagonal turret crowned with a weather vane, which bears the date of the start of construction – 1757. The superstructure above the gate arch was conceived as an observation point – a place from which the surroundings could be surveyed while awaiting the approach of the army of a hypothetical enemy.

Historical documents mention 17 wooden and stone buildings on the territory of the play fortress Petershtadt. Among them were soldiers’ barracks and the Commandant’s house, an arsenal, and a garrison church. Almost nothing has survived to this day. Currently, the Honorary Gates are one of the two surviving structures of the fortress. The second is the miniature palace of Peter III. In the 1920s, the gates, like the entire palace complex, were looted and stripped of their rich gilded copper decoration.

Restoration work on the surviving gate structure began in 1952. In the 1960s, their external appearance was recreated based on historical drawings, and some decorative elements were partially restored. However, the gate leaves, which are a unique work of art from the Elizabethan era, are still undergoing restoration and have not been returned to their place.

Sources:

https://peterburg.center/maps/oranienbaum-vezdnye-pochetnye-vorota.html

http://www.oranienbaum.org/oranienbaum/petershtadt-complex/honourable-gate/