Peterhof can be safely called the pearl of world architecture. It amazes with the beauty and grandeur of its palaces, the parks fascinate with its layout and decoration. And the fountains and cascades of Peterhof, spewing powerful streams of water, delight. The birth of this beautiful creation mankind owes Peter I.
He was struck by the beauty of Versailles and decided to create a palace and park ensemble in his empire, many times superior to the French predecessor. In 1714, the laying of the Grand Palace begins on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland. Subsequently, it was to become the main building of the country residence of Peter I. But in 1715 the emperor decided to create here a grand imperial residence with a complex of gardens and water extravaganza that amazes the imagination.
The Grand Cascade of Peterhof (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Thanks to the idea of Great Peter the Great Cascade was built. Peter I, who tended to personally participate in all his initiatives, studying the project of creating the complex, makes adjustments and chooses the landscape. According to his plan, the main naval entrance to the residence is crowned by the Nagorny Palace with a cascade, fountains and grottoes at the foot.
It symbolizes the victory of Russia in the Northern War and access to the sea. The construction of the Grand Cascade and the Grand Palace was carried out simultaneously from 1715 to 1724. Magnificent celebrations for the launch of the fountains took place in August 1723. The Grand Cascade is the greatest building, combining 64 fountains. It is made rather concisely, two powerful stairs connect the arches of the Big Grotto. The terrace above it is framed by the facades of the Small Grotto and a marble balustrade, a wide platform in front of the Bolshoi passes into a cascade consisting of three powerful steps that descend into the pool with the main fountain.
"Samson"
In the center of it is a sculptural composition depicting the famous biblical hero Samson, tearing apart the jaws of a lion, from which a powerful water column rises to the sky and mixes with the streams of water from fountains in the form of dolphins.
The plot of the composition was not chosen by chance. Samson personifies Russia, who won the battle of the Swedish crown in the Battle of Poltava . It happened on the day of St. Samson the Stranger. The lion was a key figure in the Swedish coat of arms.
The ensemble of the Grand Cascade has 255 different sculptures. On both sides there are terraces with fountains and sculptures depicting ancient heroes. Symbolism was very popular at that time. Therefore, many sculptures have a special meaning, for example Neptune and Bacchus, located in the wall of the Small Grotto, symbolize the waters of the Neva and Volkhov rivers. Sculptures of lions in niches represent the cardinal points. All statues, bas-reliefs and decor were originally made of gilded lead.
But over time, they were replaced with bronze, covered with gold, today you can see 15 original sculptures by such famous masters as Kozlovsky, Prokofiev, Shchedrin, Martos, Shubin, Raschett and copies of the antique. Throughout the sea channel, which originates from the central basin of the Grand Cascade and goes into the bay, fountains beat along the banks from round bowls, forming the famous Fountain Alley.
Representation
Peterhof presents his pride - the Grand Cascade - especially brightly during the celebration of the closing of fountains. Before the admiring spectators, a water extravaganza arises, the beauty of which inspired and admired artists and poets. Accompanied by light and music, merging in a single impulse, the fountains perform an amazing symphony created by nature and the human mind. Theatrical performances, performances and costume shows in the open air give the city guests the opportunity to travel back to the distant Petrine era, to feel the greatness and splendor of that time. Noisy fountains and cascades of Peterhof, like true artists, play out the last performance. So they say goodbye to the public until spring.
Peterhof's Lion Cascade
The construction of the complex was carried out from 1799 to 1801. Initially, in his decoration, he had only eight marble vases and sculptures of lions made of bronze. The fountain was later rebuilt. Now it looks like an ancient temple, between the gray columns of which jets of water rush towards the sky. A sculpture of Aganippa adorns the pool of the central fountain - the inhabitant of magical waters protects the sacred spring received from the blow of Pegasus' hooves. Only the elect can drink from the jar of a nymph, and formidable lions stand guard over the temple and its owner.
Cascade Chess Mountain
"Chess Mountain" is another amazing cascade of Peterhof, which presents its guests an architectural ensemble. It is located in the Lower Park. For its construction, a slope of natural formation was used. The composition consists of four platforms. The basis of their design was taken drawing a chessboard. Platforms descend in steps into the pool located at the foot of the slope, and water rushes from above along this bizarre slope, flowing down onto the stones of the pool.
Grottoes
At the top of the cascade there is a grotto, the entrance to which is guarded by three dragons. Stair flights installed on both sides of the slope are decorated with sculptures of mythological heroes. It is interesting that Peter I imagined this fountain complex in a completely different way: instead of a grotto, he ordered the construction of a cascade of marble, reminiscent of the Small Cascade in the French royal residence of Marly.
The fountain composition was to be crowned by the Neptunov cart. It is harnessed by four horses with bursting jets of water from a sip. But the construction of the marble cascade was never completed due to insufficient water. Neptune's lead cart, which was cast under the leadership of the famous Rastrelli, had to be installed in Upper Park. The construction of the fountain complex was resumed only in 1737. The project was created by Mikhail Zemtsov. According to his plan, the cascade was decorated with figures of dragons, from the mouths of which water rushed in a stormy stream, flowing down the drain platforms. Since then, it has received the name Dragon Mountain. And after in 1769 the drain slopes were painted like a chessboard, the cascade got its second name - "Chess Mountain".
"Golden Mountain"
Petergof's cascades are known for another fountain complex, which strikes an abundance of luxury and light. It is made in the form of a golden staircase, the top of which is crowned by Neptune, the formidable god and master of the water elements, with an unchanging rod in the form of a trident in his hands. Next to him is Jolly Bacchus and Triton, notifying everyone present about the appearance of the sea lord with the help of a huge shell. Sculptures depicting the Greek gods complete the composition, and the forever young Flora flaunts in front of the Golden Mountain in the pool.
Little conclusion
Now you know what constitutes not only the Great Cascade of Peterhof, the history of which is described above, but also others, such as the Golden Mountain, the Lion Cascade. You also learned what Chess Mountain looks like.
Beautiful and amazing cascades of Peterhof! The photo is unable to convey the play of sunlight in the streams of fountains, multi-colored splashes floating in the air with diamond scattering, powerful streams of water directed towards the sky, the rumble of rapid streams rushing along the slopes and steps. This must be seen with my own eyes.