The place is impressive. There are shiny, fancily patterned floors made of different-coloured woods. We have been given cloth slippers to wear over our shoes. They're slippery, but - well - we are the guests. Beyond that there are sculptures of all kinds, marble, guilded, and who knows of what other material. There are paintings of successful generals who defeated some enemy or other, when there was need; paintings of tsarinas, sisters, brother, cousins, uncles - the whole clan. and though I was not allowed to take pictures inside the palace, with some patience on your part, I'll be able to give you at least some impression of the amazing decorations to be found in these palaces.