In the Russian Empire, a palace town was a town with the primary function to maintain imperial residences therein. They were managed by the Ministry of the Imperial Court. Palace towns included Tsarskoye Selo, Gatchina, and Petergof.Ефимов А.А., Преобразования в системе управления дворцовыми городами в период реформирования Министерства императорского двора в 1881-1890-х годах
See also Royal city in Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, a historical type of city Royal cities in Czech lands Royal burgh, in Scotland
References
Further reading Гатчинское дворцовое правление, history of the management of Gatchina