Intl. Horticultural Exhibition: Tsaritsyno Palace: Masterpiece by Empress Catherine the Great

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Moscow's Tsaritsyno Palace was the first Russian imperial estate to open to the public, some 200 years ago. Lucy Taylor went to see how the historic garden looks today.

Hidden corners and sweet scents. Angelic faces and little cherubs. This is Tsaritsyno Palace on the outskirts of Moscow, commissioned by the Empress Catherine the Great, as a romantic summer residence.

ELENA EVGRAFOVALANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, TSARITSYNO PALACE "There are still many debates about the style. It's one of a kind, and the architect himself called it 'gentle gothic'. It's kind of mid-century, with elements of ancient Russian heritage, and he tried to unite eclectic elements with his own approach. It's unique."

But Catherine died before it was finished. Instead, her grandson opened the grounds to the public. It was the first imperial estate to allow people inside.

LUCY TAYLOR MOSCOW "And today, it's as popular as ever - with nearly six million visitors a year."

Most of them come for the gardens. And while some areas are hundreds of years old. The designers also have ambitious plans for the future.

ELENA EVGRAFOVA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, TSARITSYNO PALACE "We want to restore the important elements of the classical English landscape garden, with open viewpoints. We're using the historical trees here to create a kind of landscape theatre of natural plants."

For years, this estate was in ruins, before being rebuilt for the 21st century. Russia may no longer believe in building palaces for empresses, but today it saves its best splendour for the people. Lucy Taylor, CGTN, Moscow.