The amphitheatre is unique, but, unfortunately, dilapidated building, located in the South-West of the left Bank of the Palace Park in Greenhouse garden. In the 18th century it was considered fashionable to arrange in parks theaters under the open sky or amphitheaters. The amphitheater in the Park at Gatchina was built in 1797, the author of the project N. And. Lviv, a talented Russian architect who Neva gate of the Peter and Paul fortress and the Priory Palace in Gatchina.

Gatchina amphitheatre – the original example of "green architecture" landscape art of the late 18th century to the Architect until the end failed to carry out the project of the Amphitheater. In connection with the death of Paul I, all work stopped.

The amphitheatre in the plan is a circle that is enclosed by a ten-meter-high earthen wall. Val served from the outer side wall of the Amphitheater, and on the inner slopes, which were decorated with green turf, there were seats. The width of the shaft was pretty impressive in size and accounted for 1/6 of the diameter of the Amphitheatre, which gave the building an unusual monumentality and grandeur. Due to this feature, sometimes the Amphitheatre was also called Earthen fortress.

Around the entire circumference of the shaft at equal distances cut four directions. Two located opposite each other, the passage was closed metal gate. These passages were used for riders traveling to the arena. The remaining passages were intended for the passage of spectators. The shaft from the side passages fortified walls built from blocks Pudost stone. On both sides of each passage were arranged in a steep and narrow stairs, stairs which are made of czernicki plate.

In the Amphitheatre were "amusing" jousting tournaments, also called "the knight's carousel". Clad in the armor of the knights of the participants of the tournament, moving in a circle, sang all kinds of military exercises. Periodically they were going, forming, thus, a beautiful figure, which was called "quadrille". In Europe, roundabouts were in the Royal courts very fashionable fun in 17-19 centuries.

First, "riding the carousel" in Russia were carried out by order of Catherine II. One of the most glorious carousel" was held in St. Petersburg in front of the Winter Palace in 1766, Its main characters were the Orlov brothers. Won older brother Gregory. So, perhaps, received as a gift and the heart of the Empress, and the Gatchina estate, which is very symbolic.

Paul saw "riding the carousel" in childhood. And they have made a strong impression on him. The Grand Duke loved horses, and I rode. Besides, he wanted to revive the chivalric tradition and ideals. Historians have called Paul "don Quixote on the Russian throne in 1798 he was elected Grand Master of the Maltese order of St. John of Jerusalem. In 20-ies of the 19th century the Palace Park Amphitheater called "cockfight". It is possible that there has been and cock fights, but exact information about it to our days never came.

Fully Amphitheater project was never implemented. The top was supposed to arrange the benches for the spectators from the turf, the arena of the Amphitheatre had to be separated by a barrier of low clipped bushes in the gaps would be installed statues on pedestals made of Pudost stone. The stairs were to be decorated with eight gilded vases, and arena – flat bowls, incense burners, antique style sculpted legs. Aisles and have not installed designed wrought iron gates with monogram of Paul I and gilt spears. This was reminiscent of metal pivots, mounted in the walls of the passages. To complete the composition of the Amphitheatre would have green walls of two rows of Linden trees.

The restoration of the Amphitheatre took place in 1849, but during the war of 1941-45. this unique structure was destroyed. Now the rampart is pretty much sagged, although preserved stairs, gable wall, stone pedestals of the statues.