Behold Peterhof. Does it not strike you as something out of a fairy tale? Peter the Great envisioned this place as Russia’s answer to Versailles.
Peterhof is a series of palaces and gardens. It is located in Petergof near Saint Petersburg. Peter the Great commissioned it. He wanted to rival the Palace of Versailles. Thus, Peterhof earned the nickname “The Russian Versailles”.
Construction began in 1714. Domenico Trezzini was the primary architect. His style became the foundation for Petrine Baroque architecture. Jean-Baptiste Alexandre Le Blond designed the gardens. He had previously worked with Andrè Le Nôtre at Versailles.
The end of the Great Northern War in 1721 allowed Peter to focus on his capital. Saint Petersburg provided access to the Baltic Sea. Peterhof became part of his modernization efforts.
Monplaisir Palace was one of the first constructions. Peter himself sketched its layout. This Dutch-style palace served as his summer retreat. He filled it with paintings brought from Europe. From here, Peter could view both Kronstadt and St. Petersburg.
The dominant feature of Peterhof is the bluff. It lies close to the shore. The Lower Gardens stretch between the bluff and the sea. Most of Peterhof’s fountains are located here.
The Grand Palace stands atop the bluff. Behind it are the Upper Gardens. The Grand Cascade sits below the palace. Together, they form the heart of Peterhof. The Sea Channel bisects the Lower Gardens.
The Grand Cascade is modeled after one at Louis XIV’s Château de Marly. At its center is an artificial grotto. It houses a museum of the fountains’ history.
The fountains of the Grand Cascade flow into a semicircular pool. In the 1730s, the Samson Fountain was added. It symbolizes Russia’s victory over Sweden. The lion’s mouth shoots a 20-metre-high jet of water. It is the highest in Peterhof.
All the fountains operate without pumps. Water comes from natural springs in the Upper Gardens. The elevation difference creates the necessary pressure.
The Lower Gardens follow the French formal style. The Chess Mountain and Golden Mountain cascades offer different visual experiences. The Adam and Eve fountains are prominently placed.
The Grand Palace appears imposing but is actually quite narrow. The Chesma Hall features paintings of the Battle of Chesma. The East and West Chinese Cabinets display decorative art from the East.
Other structures include the Monplaisir and Marli palaces. The Hermitage pavilion also dates back to Peter the Great’s time.
In the early 1700s, Peterhof was different. Many fountains were not yet installed. The Upper Gardens did not exist. The Grand Palace was smaller.
Elizabeth of Russia expanded the Grand Palace between 1745 and 1755. Bartolomeo Rastrelli oversaw the project. The Grand Cascade also received more decoration.
During World War II, German troops captured Peterhof. Employees saved some treasures. However, many sculptures remained in place. The German army destroyed much of Peterhof. Restoration began after the war.
The name was changed to “Petrodvorets” in 1944. The original name was restored in 1997.
Peterhof symbolized Russia’s access to the Baltic Sea. It also represented Peter’s ambition to modernize Russia. Peterhof is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Millions visit it every year. It stands as a testament to Peter the Great’s vision. It is a stunning blend of nature and art.