The construction of Kadriorg Palace was commissioned by Tsar Peter the Great, who sought to honor his second wife, Catherine I. Located in Tallinn, the palace was intended to serve as a summer residence for the royal couple. Peter the Great had visionary plans for transforming Russia into a major European power, which included enhancing its western territories. The palace was designed by the Italian architect Nicolo Michetti and combined elements of Baroque architecture with beautiful gardens that reflected the artistic trends of the time.

As the construction began in 1718, it was part of Peter’s broader strategy to gain territory along the Baltic Sea following the Great Northern War. This period marked significant changes in the architectural landscape of cities influenced by Russian expansionism. Kadriorg Palace would later house an extensive art collection and serve as a cultural hub, thereby solidifying its status in Estonian history.

The palace complex was completed in 1725, after the death of Peter. The gardens surrounding it were equally significant, designed in the French formal style that emphasized symmetry and order. The location of the palace near Tallinn was strategic for both aesthetic and political reasons, as it allowed for greater control over the region. Today, Kadriorg Palace remains an important landmark reflecting the era’s architectural and cultural aspirations.