A three-dimensional tactile model of the Catherine Park is now installed inside near its main entrance.
It is a starting point of tours for blind and visually impaired children, our museum's new interactive project Catherine Park by Touch, which became possible thanks to support from Gazprom Transgaz St Peterbsurg LLC.
Such models require very painstaking work. The three-dimensional model of the Catherine Park has its main architectural dominants, such as the Catherine Palace and the Cameron Gallery, as well as park pavilions (Hermitage, Grotto, Admiralty, Tower Ruin, etc.), ponds, parterres, alleys and trees.
Using the model, the visually impaired will be able to understand the park's general layout and the main objects' locations and learn some facts from the history of this masterpiece of landscape architecture. Then the tour continues with a walk through the park, accompanied by our guide and special relief-graphic books with braille and tactile images. The tour ends by the famous Girl-with-a-Pitcher Fountain.
This is our third project for blind and visually impaired visitors since 2015, when such special tours with 3D models were introduced at the Catherine Palace and the Martial Chamber.
The new free special tour of the Catherine Park was held for the first time on 26 September 2022. The project can be of interest to both children and adults.