PETERHOF

                          One Fabulous Royal Estate

          We visited Peterhof on a cold and windy St. Petersburg day. We took a 25-minute hydrofoil ride from down town to the palace but returned by bus. The world-famous palace, fountain and park ensemble of Peterhof is an outstanding landmark of Russian artistic culture of the 18-19th centuries.          Founded at the beginning of the eighteenth century by Emperor Peter  the Great, it is located not far from his new northern capital of  St Petersburg.  He intended Peterhof to become the most splendid of official royal summer residences. Several small palaces are in the park surrounding the huge estate.

Many eminent architects, artists, and anonymous folk craftsmen were involved in the building of the palace. Its wonderful parks, 176 fountains of various forms and styles and four cascades, majestic palaces, numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes, remarkable collections of sculpture, painting and works of the minor arts make Peterhof a veritable gem. Often called Capital of Fountains, it is unique.

                  After 1917 Peterhof fell under state custody and was turned into an architecture and art museum. Today due to the unforgettable beauty of its fountains, parks and palaces, Peterhof  seems to have magic charms that make one feel happy!

                   Peterhof, the Russian Versailles, which Peter called a cottage, is an immensely luxurious royal estate, lying on the shore of the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea). Peter’s daughter, Elizabeth extended the palace with two wings. One wing is a chapel and the other is under the coat of arms.

     The focal point of both the Lower Park and Upper Garden is the magnificent Grand Palace with its Grand Cascade in front of it. The Grand Cascade, which goes downhill from the palace towards the Baltic Sea, is one of the largest fountain ensembles in the world. From the Grand Cascade's largest fountain, the Samson, a channel goes through the park to the pier. The 150 fountains produce 2000 water jets among a large array of statues and sculptures. The water works, after 250 years, continue to operate thirteen miles of piping without any pumps--relying on a system of gravity. Water flows from two reservoirs filled by natural springs. None of the water is recycled. It is truly amazing!

     The original palace, built in 1714-25 was remodeled 1745-55.  Despite all the damage done to the Grand Palace during WWII, its interior has been carefully restored and is breathtaking.

           The Upper Garden, covering 45 acres, is a pretty baroque formal garden that separates the Grand Palace from the St Petersburg-bound highway.

            We started our visit at the lower garden, 200 feet below the palace where the Catherine Wing was added in 1780. There was a short wait to enter the house, where we were required to slip paper boots over our shoes.  

The joke fountains produced squeals of delight from youngsters who got sprayed by them. Peterhof is definitely a must see. No matter how many fountains you’ve seen, nothing will rival those of Peterhof!