On the shores of the Gulf of Finland, Peter I built several suburban residences of Russian tsars. The palace and park complex includes park ensembles in which palaces and magnificent fountains are harmoniously located. The idea of creation and architectural design belong to Peter I, and translated from Dutch “Peterhof” - “court of Peter”. The centerpiece of the ensemble is the Grand Peterhof Palace (address: St. Petersburg, Razvodnaya St., 2).
Peterhof History
More than three hundred years ago, construction began on the summer suburban residence of Russian emperors in the suburbs of St. Petersburg. The main work began in 1714, and in August 1723 the opening of Peterhof, including the Upper Chambers (now the Grand Peterhof Palace), the Palaces of Monplaisir and Marley, took place. Several parks were planned and laid out for the opening of the complex, and part of the fountains were put into operation. In subsequent reconstructions and restoration work after the Great Patriotic War, architects preserved the plans of the great Peter, embodied in his drawings and sketches.
Upper garden
For the main entrance to the Grand Peterhof Palace, the Upper Garden was laid, which was formed in three stages over the course of fifty years under the guidance of various architects. But originally it was used to grow vegetables and fruits, and the upper ponds served as fountains and fish. The upper garden was designed by B.F. Rastrelli in the early to mid-eighteenth century. At that time, the famous statues of Apollo Belvedere, Pomona (goddess of fertility), Zephyr (god of the wind) and Flora (goddess of spring), as well as the composition "Neptune" located in the central pool appeared in the park.
Grand Peterhof Palace
The description of the palace can be begun with the history of construction in 1714-1725, according to the project of architects I. Braunstein and J. Leblon, the modest Upper Chambers were built with several halls for receptions, banquets and the emperor's restroom. Subsequently, in 1745-1755, it was rebuilt by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. Under the leadership of the world famous architect B.F. Rastrelli, a three hundred-meter-high palace with magnificent facades according to the model of Versailles was rebuilt. Thirty halls, decorated in different styles, delight with their splendor and wealth. After a walk through the Upper Garden, visitors fall into the Grand Peterhof Palace. Tickets worth 600 rubles and preferential ones worth 300 rubles can be purchased at the box office from 10:30 to 17:00. The palace today has become a historical and art museum with a huge number of exhibits, paintings and sculptures. The palace, as in previous times, is the summer cultural center of Russia, where official meetings and receptions, as well as cultural events are held.
Main staircase, dance and reception halls
According to the idea of the imperial family, the palace was to perform protocol functions and emphasize the growing strength of the Russian state. And diplomatic receptions, balls and masquerades surprise with wealth and abundance. The architect Rastrelli successfully completed this task. Already getting on the main staircase, visitors see magnificent carved statues symbolizing the seasons, monumental bas-reliefs on the walls, cartouches richly decorated with gilding. Tempera, stucco molding and metal forged elements harmoniously intertwined in the interior . Further, the passage is made in the style of the Arc de Triomphe, the snow-white columns of which support the pediment with allegorical figures “Fidelity” and “Justice”. The dance hall ("Merchants") is made in a festive style for balls and entertainment events. This is a large room with an area of 270 square meters. Numerous mirrors in the fake windows of blind walls increase its volume several times. Then visitors get into the Chesmensky Hall, the passage to which is also through the Blue Reception. The Grand Peterhof Palace was built by Peter I on the coast in order to emphasize the establishment of Russia as a sea power. The Chesme Hall is named after the victory over the Turkish fleet at Chesme and the consolidation of Russia not only in the Baltic, but also in the Black Sea. Hall decoration and battle painting are dedicated to this goal. From here, guests go to the Throne Hall.
Central and Throne Hall
The Grand Peterhof Palace has a through lobby, which is a passage between the Upper Garden and the Lower Park. Here is the cabinet of Peter I (“oak”) and the oak staircase leading to the Picture Hall. Initially, its walls were decorated with French tapestries and several paintings of the Italian school. During the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, Count Pietro Rotari was appointed court painter. It was the portraits of his work that finally filled the entire interior. After examining the paintings, passing the Western office, visitors find themselves in the White Dining Room, which is made in light matte colors. The dining room was used for its intended purpose, and the modern exhibition consists of light dining furniture and two hundred pieces of crockery. The Throne Hall has an entrance from the Chesmensky Hall and the Audience Hall, which adjoins the White Dining Room. This is the largest room of the palace (330 square meters), it is distinguished by massive stucco molding depicting imperial and military symbols, as well as numerous portraits of the royal family.
The west wing of the palace
The western wing is the female half with the chambers of the empress and her inner circle. It consists of a dozen small rooms. From the East Chinese cabinet, visitors entered the Partridge living room, where the Empress spent the morning hours. It is connected directly with the Queen’s chambers: Sofa, Dressing Room, Study and Crown Rooms. On the other hand are the Secretarial, Blue Lounge, the premises of the guard of the cavalry guards. The west wing ends with a palace church. The temple of the royal family Rastrelli designed in his style - elegantly and gorgeous. This is not just a church, but a small palace with rich decoration and lots of gilding.
Lower park
The Grand Peterhof Palace is built on a natural hill and conditionally separates the melancholic Upper Garden from the pompous, gleaming fountains of the Lower Park. The sea channel, dug from the palace to the Gulf of Finland, was taken as the center line of the layout of the park ensemble. Four paths depart from the canal in different directions, leading to the Monplaisir Palace and the Hermitage pavilion. The park is designed in the French style, which is also called regular. It is characterized by the presence of sculptures, pavilions and symmetry in the planning of alleys and green spaces. Gardeners planted a large number of trees and shrubs brought from all over Russia, combining existing groves in a single complex.
Grand Cascade and Fountains
The facade of the palace overlooking the sea harmoniously flows into the ledges of the Grand Cascade with a variety of fountains and sculptural compositions. Inspection of the fountain ensemble "Grand Cascade" can begin by leaving the Grand Peterhof Palace after the tour. The operating mode of the fountains changes annually, depending on weather conditions. Roughly, the opening takes place in late April, and the grand closing of the season is in mid-September. The cost of tickets ranges from 500 to 150 rubles. The cascade consists of two waterfall stairs, along which numerous sculptures of the Upper and Lower Grottoes are located. Two powerful streams of water fall from the cascade into the bucket of the Sea Canal, where the central water cannon “Samson, tearing the mouth of a lion” is located. The fountain group includes eight dolphins and four lions located at the foot. They with their jets form a kind of wreath around Samson. Around the central composition is a large number of fountains depicting fairy-tale virgins, mollusks, newts, ancient Greek gods and heroes. In a short review it is impossible to describe more than 140 different fountains-sculptures, therefore it is better to see them once.
An excursion to the Grand Peterhof Palace and the Peterhof museums will not leave visitors indifferent, and cascades and fountains will be remembered for a lifetime.