hung with 12 panels of richly coloured tapestries depicting exotic birds and fauna. The fine white glass beads that form the backdrop of the tapestries give the whole room a diaphanous, shimmering quality that was designed to be particularly effective in the glowing twighlight of the White Nights. The full influence of Chinoiserie is in evidence in the Large Chinese Salon, where the walls are covered with marquetry paneling of wood and walrus ivory depicting oriental landscapes, and large Chinese lanterns hanging in the corners. The room also contains an English-made billiard table with superb wood carving. The Upper Park was laid out from 1750 to 1770. The palace was the site of two opera premieres to libretti by Metastasio in the middle of the eighteenth century, Amor prigioniero (one act, composed by Francesco Araia, 1755), and Semiramide riconosciuta (three acts, composed by Vincenzo Manfredini, 1760). In the 19th century Oranienbaum became a noble manor. During World War II, Oranienbaum suffered to a much lesser extent than other suburbs of St. Petersburg, since defense was deployed here on the so-called “Oranienbaum Bridgehead”. However, the ensemble became desolate in the post-war period, and its serious restoration began only in the late 1990s. Restoration Of Oranienbaum has been a slow process. Tsarskoe Selo and Peterhof restorations were given higher priority, and that is one reason Oranienbaum is a less-visited attraction. For the city which grew up around the palace see Lomonosov, Russia. Sculptures of Oranienbaum See also List of Baroque residences Lomonosov, Russia References External links Oranienbaum (Lomonosov) - History, details and visiting information Houses completed in the 18th century Palaces in Saint Petersburg Gardens in Saint Petersburg Royal residences in Russia World Heritage Sites in Russia Parks and open spaces in Saint Petersburg Historic house museums in Saint Petersburg Rococo architecture in Russia Petergofsky Uyezd Petrodvortsovy District Cultural heritage monuments of federal significance in Saint Petersburg