Peterhof

Situated 29 km to the west of the city of St Petersburg and nestled on the shore of the Gulf of Finland is the site where Peter the Great constructed St Petersburg's most famous and spectacular Imperial estate and palace, intended to rival that of the famous gardens of Versailles.

The Grand Palace was initially built between 1714 and 1725 by architects Braunstein, Zemstov and Lebold. Later in the century the palace was redesigned and extended to its present size by architect Francesco Bartholomeo Rastrelli, the architect of the WInter Palace / Hermitage.

During World War II the palace was seriously damaged, but has now been lovingly restored to its former glory by restoration workers helped by 2,000 St. Petersburgers, who went there on Sundays.

The palace with its fascinating interiors, sits on top of a high ridge overlooking an enormous park surrounded by an array of fountains, statues and pavilions. Located between the Grand Palace and the highway to St Petersburg is the Upper Garden; 15 hectares of typical French-style formal gardens with five fountains including one depicting the god of the sea, Neptune.

The Lower Park, situated between the Grand Palace and the shoreline, boasts the world's largest system of fountains and cascades and is considered a true jewel of the 18th century. From the terrace by the northern facade of the Grand Palace you can be inspired by a splendid panormaic view of the Lower Park covering an area of more than 100 hectares. The parks unique system of fountains was designed in the 18th century by Russia's first hydraulic engineer, Vassili Tuvolkov, and does not require the use of pumps to operate the fountains. The park features some 120 fountains and three major cascades, the most impressive of which is the Grand Cascade. Located directly below the Grand Palace, it features an impreesive golden statue of the Biblical hero Samson, tearing open the lion's jaws. The park also includes several joke fountains which are sure to delight your children. During one working season, the last week of May to the first week of October, over 30,000 litres of water are used every second.

The park features many other small palaces and pavillions.

Peterhof can be reached by a special yellow double-decker bus from outside the Baltic Railway Station (Metro Baltiyskaya) or by hydrofoil leaving twice hourly from the Dvortsovaya Embankment in front of the Hermitage / Winter Palace.