Lion Cascade

Have you ever heard of a fountain guarded by lions? We are standing before the Lion Cascade, a hidden gem nestled within the Lower Park of Peterhof. It’s a quieter, more contemplative spot compared to its boisterous neighbor, the Grand Cascade, but it holds its own unique charm. The Lion Cascade’s story began in the early 1800s, a brainchild of Tsar Peter the Great. He envisioned a cascade for every palace in Peterhof, and the Lion Cascade was designed to complement the Hermitage Pavilion. The original design, by architect Niccolo Michetti, never saw the light of day. However, in 1801, architect Andrei Voronikhin brought a new vision to life. He created a pool adorned with cascading ledges of Pudost stone, guarded by two magnificent bronze lions sculpted by Ivan Prokofiev. These majestic felines gave the cascade its popular name, “Lions,” though it was also known as “The Hermitage” due to its location. Time, however, was not kind to the Lion Cascade. By the mid-19th century, it had fallen into disrepair and required extensive renovations. Architect Andrei Stackenschneider took on the task, preserving the name but reimagining the design. The original lion sculptures found a new home flanking a newly constructed colonnade of granite and marble. At the center of the basin, upon a granite rock, Stackenschneider placed a statue of the nymph Aganippe, the mythical muse of poetic inspiration. This statue, modeled by Fedor Tolstoy, adds a touch of classical elegance to the cascade. Legend has it, those who drank from Aganippe’s spring were blessed with poetic gifts. The Lion Cascade is unique among the four cascades of the Lower Park. It is not situated on a slope, like the others, but graces the lower terrace. Its restoration in 2000 marked the final touch in the post-war revival of the Lower Park’s fountains, bringing the Lion Cascade back to its full glory.