I t was originally the "new" wing of the Catherine Palace, built by Neelov in 1789-91 for the children of Paul I. The archway across the street from the palace allowed Catherine II to visit her grandchildren without having to climb stairs.
    In 1811 it was decided to turn the wing into the Lyceum - a privileged school intended for the families of the Court. A certain number of alterations was made by architect Stasov, and on October 19, 1819 the Lyceum was officially opened.
    Russia’s greatest poet Alexander Pushkin was a student at Tsarskoe Selo Lyceum from 1811 to 1817. Here on January 8, 1815 the young Pushkin was taking a school exam in front of the audience of well-known people, reading out his poem "Recollections of Tsarskoe Selo". 18C poet Gavrila Derzhavin, who was among the audience, started crying with delight, as he immediately recognized a future genius in the young man.
    Among the first graduates of the Lyceum, which took place on July 9, 1817, were Decembrists Pushchin, Kyukhelbeker, Volkhovskiy, sailor and historian Matyushkin, poets Pushkin and Delvig, diplomat Gorchakov, composer Yakovlev.
    Presently permanent exhibition "Imperial Lyceum. Teachers and alumni." is open in the Lyceum (Mo, We-Su 10:30-16:30). Based on the archive documents and recollections of the Lyceum alumni, the interiors of Pushkin’s time have been restored. Advance reservations for group excursions are available.