From the Portrait Hall you can reach the Amber Room, the gem of the Catherine Palace and a sight that has been justifiably called one of the wonders of the world.
Though the authentic Amber Room may never be recovered, a replica adorns Catherine Palace in the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum and Heritage Site in Saint Petersburg.
Because of its unique features and singular beauty, the original Amber Room was sometimes dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World". Modern estimates of the room's value range from $142 million (2007) to over $500 million (2016).
The Amber Room, often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, was one of Russia's most priceless works of art until it was looted by Nazi Germany and lost after the conclusion of WW II. The Amber Room was designed for Charlottenburg Palace by Andreas Schlüter, a German baroque sculptor and renowned architect.
How much would the original Amber Room be worth today?
In its two and a half centuries of existence it had become famous throughout Europe and had been called, among other things, the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and “one of the world's most extraordinary works of art.” Its estimated value today is more than $180 million.
Can You Visit The Amber Room Today? - The Action Reel
What was found on the SS Karlsruhe?
The wreck rests several dozen kilometres north of Ustka at a depth of 88 metres. It is virtually intact. In her cargo holds we discovered military vehicles, porcelain and many chests with so far unknown contents.
The two main sources of amber on the market today are the Baltic states and the Dominican Republic. Amber from the former is older, and thus preferred on the market, but that obtained from the latter is more likely to have insect inclusions. Amber prices can range from $20 to $40,000 or more.
But seek the Amber Room at your own risk! It's said to carry a curse. Many people who have dealt with it have met untimely deaths. The German museum director, Alfred Rohde, was so entranced by the Amber Room, he would sit staring at the glowing beaded jewelry panels for hours.
The original Amber Room panels were constructed in Prussia from 1701 to 1714, presented to Peter the Great of Russia, and installed in the Catherine Palace. The panels were looted by the advancing German army in 1941 and are presumed lost.
The Soviet government, which deemed the room a cultural treasure, mandated its reconstruction in 1979, beginning a 24-year process that culminated with its reopening in 2003.
In 1979, the Soviet government ordered a replica of the room. Twenty-four years later and at a cost of $11 million (£8.4 million), partly funded by the Germans, it was finally completed and installed in the Catherine Palace once again.
The Catherine Palace (Russian: Екатерининский дворец, romanized: Yekaterininskiy dvorets, IPA: [jɪkətʲɪˈrʲinʲɪnskʲɪj dvɐˈrʲets]) is a Rococo palace in Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), located 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of St. Petersburg, Russia. It was the summer residence of the Russian tsars.
About Amber Court. Welcome to Amber Court, a cozy 1-star hotel nestled amidst the breathtaking scenery of Genting Highlands, Malaysia. Built in 2000, this budget-friendly hotel offers a convenient and comfortable stay for travelers seeking an affordable accommodation option in this popular tourist destination.
Last Seen: The Amber Room's panels were last recorded on January 12, 1945, by a German museum director. Possible Destructions: Bombings: It's believed the Amber Room was damaged or destroyed during the Allied bombing of Königsberg in 1944 and subsequent Soviet shelling.
Reddish amber is more valuable than golden amber, which is more valuable than yellow amber. Rarely, strong fluorescence can give amber a bluish or greenish appearance, which when attractive can be highly valuable.
Real amber has a distinctive and pleasant scent when heated. You can perform a simple at-home test by rubbing the amber vigorously between your hands until it becomes warm, and then bring it close to your nose. You should detect a faint, pine-like resinous smell, which is one of the hallmarks of genuine amber.
Other precious stones, such as diamonds and emeralds, are also more valuable than amber. However, it is important to remember that value is relative. For example, while a single diamond may be worth more than an entire chunk of amber, the latter is actually the more valuable commodity by weight.
While it is possible that the Amber Room was destroyed by British bombing raids or Soviet artillery, some have speculated that it was secretly evacuated from Königsberg. However, despite various theories and purported leads, no trace of it has ever been found. The Amber Room in the Catherine Palace, 1917.
Whilst on a voyage to Panama, severe weather conditions badly damaged the SS Great Britain. Repairs would have been very costly, so she was turned into a floating warehouse in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. She was finally abandoned and left to rust in Sparrow Cove, a small isolated area in the Falklands.
Her case was terminal; once she'd suffered the cardiac arrest, there was nothing that could have been done. A heart transplant was out of the question because too many of her organ systems were damaged irreparably.
The most basic theory is that the crates were destroyed by the bombings of 1944. Others believe that the amber is still in Kaliningrad, while some say it was loaded onto a ship and can be found somewhere at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
Which of the following statements is not true about the Amber Room?
D. The original Amber Room can no longer be visited - Incorrect. The original Amber Room was lost during World War II, but a reconstruction is now open to the public in the Catherine Palace.
Amber Court was used as a location for the 2017 horror movie Haunted Hotel. The German TV series Galileo (ProSieben) made a documentary about Amber Court in 2020.
Ten years later, at Elizabeth's instruction, Rastrelli moved the Amber Room to her favourite palace at Tsarskoye Selo near St. Petersburg. Its new location was 96 square metres in size, instead of the tiny room in the Winter Palace.
