Kadriorg Palace and Park

Kadriorg Palace is a Baroque palace built for Tsar Peter the Great in the early eighteenth century, set in Kadriorg Park about two kilometres east of Tallinn's Old Town in Estonia. The palace stands at the end of formal gardens, with a main facade of pale yellow and white that faces the Swan Pond and the symmetrical flower beds. The main frame is taken from the garden terrace in front of the palace, using the facade as a backdrop to the parterre; a second popular view is across the Swan Pond, where the water reflects the park trees and, on still mornings, the palace itself. A polarising filter helps with reflections and foliage saturation. The palace faces roughly south-west, so afternoon sun lights the front, but crowds are heaviest then; early morning gives soft, even light and almost empty paths, with only dog walkers and joggers around. Seasonal changes are strong: May and June bring blossoms and fresh green, summer shows flower beds in full colour, October offers golden and red leaves, and winter snow gives a quiet, graphic scene. The park is busy on summer weekends, with families and tour groups, but the grounds are large enough to find a quiet position. Tripods are generally tolerated for landscape work if they do not obstruct paths. Entry to the park is free, while the palace museum, which houses the Kadriorg Art Museum collection, charges an admission fee. Drone flying is restricted near the presidential residence in the park, so photographers should not fly there. Cafés, the park's museums and public toilets are located close to the palace.