Gatchina is the largest city within the Leningrad Region and is famous for being home to a former imperial residence, which is now a museum. The UNESCO-protected Gatchina Palace is more reminiscent of a castle than the traditional decorative Russian palaces. As such it became the favourite residence of Emperor Alexander III who thought Gatchina safer for his family during a time of unrest. Gatchina can be easily visited as a day trip from St Petersburg.