On November 29, a stamp dedicated to the Catherine Hall was put into postal circulation in the Grand Kremlin Palace series

The Grand Kremlin Palace is one of the palaces of the Moscow Kremlin. It was built in 1838-1849 by order of Emperor Nicholas I. The palace serves as the ceremonial residence of the head of state.

Its five reception halls on the first floor of the palace - St Andrew, St Alexander, St George, St Vladimir and Catherine Halls - are dedicated to Russian orders with their elements embedded in the stucco decoration of each hall.

The Catherine Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace is also one of the six reception halls of the Grand Kremlin Palace. At the time of its creation, it was the throne room for Russian Empresses. It was named after the Order of Saint Catherine instituted by Peter I in 1713.

The parquet floor is inlayed with a stylized image of the Order of St. Catherine in the form of a gilded pattern. The image of the Order framed by artificial diamonds and the inscription For Love and Fatherland is present both on the walls and on the main doors of the room. The total length of the Catherine Hall is about 21 m. The main notable elements of the room are the pilasters decorated with malachite insets and fixed on heavy-duty pillars at the doorways.

The walls and vaults are decorated with water silk of greyish tint framed by tissue that stylizes the Order Ribbon. Besides, gilded stucco molding made by Russian artisans is used as decoration.

The geometric pattern of the parquet of the Catherine Hall of the Kremlin Palace was designed by Academician Feodor Solntsev.

The lighting is provided by gilded ceiling lamps cast in bronze with finest crystal chandeliers manufactured to a special order at one of the Imperial glass factories in St Petersburg.

Presently, the Catherine Hall is used for meetings with heads of foreign states, formal dinner parties and presentation of credentials.

The postage stamp provides an image of the Catherine Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace.

In addition to the issue of the postage stamp, JSC Marka produced First Day Covers and a special cancel for Moscow, and a maxi-card.


Artist: V. Nikonov; Design: O. Savina.
Face value: 67 rubles.
Stamp size: 50×37 mm, sheet size: 178×177 mm.
Emission form: a sheet with formatted margins with 12 (3×4) stamps.
Quantity: 108 thousand stamps (9 thousand sheets).

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