When fountains are turned on in St. Petersburg, the city comes to life. The stone houses listen to the sound of water and recall their youth. After all, most of the fountains were installed back in the time of Peter I, at the same time when buildings were erected, which have historical significance today. The connection begins in mid-April, after the water supply systems are checked and configured, an external inspection and troubleshooting are performed. The city has large and small fountains, but all of them are very beautiful and give a lot of joy to the guests and residents of St. Petersburg. Their construction began in the middle of the XVIII century and continues today. And the names of the fountains of St. Petersburg, and the architecture of these objects are interesting and diverse. Therefore, learning their story is no less entertaining than admiring them.
Great variety
List of fountains in St. Petersburg:
- "60 years of Victory."
- Fountain in the Alexander Nevsky Monastery.
- Fountains in the Winter Garden.
- IEM fountains.
- Fountains in the Italian garden.
- "The boy with the fish."
- The Golden Boys.
- "Violin is a woman."
- Hygiene.
- "Pomegranate tree."
- "Sea Horse".
- "Grotto".
- "Swan Lake".
Of course, it is not complete, because it is impossible to name all the fountains of St. Petersburg in one article, and even talk about them, all the more so since there are 70 existing in the city, and there were more than 300 in the past. Many were damaged from time to time, others were destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. But those fountains of St. Petersburg that have been saved, reconstructed and launched as far as possible. Inactive remain architectural monuments. Under streams of water, they would be even more beautiful, but also inoperative able to decorate the city.
Lost Splendor
When fountains are turned on in St. Petersburg, copies of those that were built in the Summer Garden come to life as an addition to its architectural and park complex as conceived by Peter I. Unfortunately, today we see only reconstructions. All 50 fountains died during the 1977 flood. Nine of them were rebuilt only in the period from 2009 to 2011. Among them are Lacosta, Nereida, Stamp, Crown and others. The device of the original water structures was started in 1705, but the Russian architect, who was entrusted with this business, died without finishing the job. Therefore, these fountains of St. Petersburg were the work of the Dutch masters Jagan Kintler and Harman van Bolos. In order to ensure the supply of water, horsepower was used, and later steam pumps.
Original antiquity
The opening of fountains in St. Petersburg begins at the walls of the Kazan Cathedral. The work of J. F. Tom de Tomon, made in the classical style, was installed in the park in the 30s of the 20th century. And it is with her that the launch of the city’s water facilities begins. In the Nikolsky Garden there are two fountains of the same size and architecture. They represent a round pool, in the center of which sits a boy with a horn. Frogs are located along the edges of the structure, water flows out of their mouth, just like from a musical instrument that the boy holds. Fountains were built with a difference of 10 years. One in 1878, the other in 1887. Who was the author of these architectural monuments is unknown.
Why are they stealing?
Fountains of St. Petersburg were often installed in green areas, so that residents could take a break from the summer heat. One of them is located in the Tauride Garden. This is a copy of the fountain of A. Bruni "Boy with a duck", created in 2009. The original was installed here in 1910. This place perfectly saves from heat: firstly, plants give a fertile shade, and secondly, the air temperature is slightly lower due to jets of water flowing in 4 bowls from the duck's beak. On the territory of the Vvedensky Garden there is a Putti fountain, the name of which comes from the Italian word putto, which means "baby". They opened it in 1876. This is an octagonal bowl, in the center of which is a sculpture of a boy with a sink in his hands. The fountain was built with the money of the merchant A. Govorov.
Interesting models
But the fountains of St. Petersburg are presented not only in the form of pools and bowls. Not only modern architects are able to surprise the audience with a fresh and original look at how urban water installations should look. On Malaya Sadovaya Street is located "Shar". This fountain is a copy of what stood in Peterhof before the accession to the throne of Alexander I. It was installed in the city in 2002. A granite ball, capable of spinning in jets of water and weighing 739 kg, attracts everyone's attention. There is a belief that he fulfills desires. The ball is mounted on top of a triangular composition. 12 steps lead to it. Previously, jets of water indicated the time, poured over the stairs, but, due to breakage, this function was lost. To fulfill the cherished dream, you need to stand with your back to the fountain on the trapezoid and throw a coin over your shoulder. Then look at the step with which figure it fell, and scroll the ball so many times. After so many months, the desire will come true.
May be so
But the Floating Fountain, located in the Neva, can no longer be seen. It was disassembled in 2009. Prior to this, water jets hit a height of 60 meters from a pontoon installation, attracting the attention of tourists and citizens. But don't be upset. No wonder they say that almost the most popular tourist attractions of St. Petersburg are fountains. So, there is always something to admire. For example, fountains dancing, moving to the beat of music are very beautiful and original. This spectacle is especially impressive in the evening, when the backlight turns on. They are located on Moskovsky Prospekt, on Lenin Square and near the Grand Canyon shopping center. The last fountain is called "The Seasons" and consists of 4 sculptures depicting nymphs. The "dance" of water is performed to classical music.
Not only in the city
If you come to St. Petersburg, the fountains of Peterhof also should not be left without attention. After all, they are known not only in our country. Spend on the inspection of all objects can be a whole day. This is not surprising, because there are about 150 of them, and each has its own characteristics. The largest and largest is the Grand Cascade, made in the Baroque style. This is a complex of golden statues with the figure of Samson in the center. Each tourist will choose a fountain to his liking. One loves calm beauty, quiet rest, another likes noisy and restless jets of water. And Peter I loved to joke. It was he who began the tradition of setting up fountains of crackers in Peterhof, which was then supported by both Catherine II and Alexander I. How did they work? An object was installed that looked nothing like a fountain. When unsuspecting guests approached him, water appeared from nowhere and doused around the “victim”. Today there are several such fountains.
Tricky idea
"Fir-trees" made of iron tubes through which water flows cannot be distinguished from real ones. Therefore, people walking near them absolutely do not expect any catch. You sat down to rest on a bench, and then stood up to walk along the paving stones laid out in front of it? You can be sure that you will be doused with water, which beats from invisible holes located around its perimeter. If you do not want to be in captivity, do not sit on benches under the "fungus", otherwise you will wait a long time until you stop pouring from its roof. Peterhof's comic fountains hide many surprises. And on hot summer days, even when the secret is revealed, visitors are eager to refresh themselves again. Therefore, laughter is always heard near such crackers and fun reigns.
And what do those who have visited this city say about the fountains of St. Petersburg? Judging by the reviews, such beauty leaves no one indifferent. Yes, each person has his own taste, and you need to wander through the streets, parks, gardens, squares to find "your" fountain and be sure to throw a coin in the water to return to it again. But such walks do not disappoint anyone. Visit the beautiful city on the Neva and you. We are sure that the collection of rave reviews about the fountains of St. Petersburg will be replenished with new comments!