A railway terminus a port a resort. That’s Stary Petergof for you. This unassuming town holds a secret. It’s a gateway to the grandeur of Peterhof. Peter the Great founded Peterhof in 1709. He envisioned a country estate. He wanted it to rival Versailles.
After visiting the French court in 1717 he doubled down. Peterhof was to be an imperial residence. Domenico Trezzini designed the Baroque Grand Palace. Alexandre Le Blond designed the gardens. Bartolomeo Rastrelli enlarged the structure in 1752. Peterhof became the most lavish Russian royal summer residence. Even Nicholas II spent time there. His heir Aleksey Nikolayevich was born there in 1904.
Sadly the siege of Leningrad devastated Peterhof. German armies ravaged the palace grounds. After liberation the town was renamed Petrodvorets. The name Peterhof sounded too German. The restoration was immense. It continues even into the 21st century. In 1997 St Petersburg split Petrodvorets. It became the city of Peterhof and the village of Strelna. This division was officially recognized in 2009.
Today Stary Petergof still thrives. It’s a rail terminus. It’s a port. It remains a resort center. The Grand Palace stands as a museum. Sixty-three kilometers of canals connect the fountains. Pavilions small palaces gardens. They are part of a vast museum and park complex. The Samson Rending the Lion’s Jaws statue is a notable feature. A copy of Mikhail Kozlovsky’s 1802 original it stands proudly. This area also houses a watch factory. It started as a lapidary plant. It now makes watches. This factory is among Russia’s oldest. It dates back to 1721. It was founded by Peter the Great himself. He needed it for Peterhof and other palaces.
Stary Petergof is more than a town. It’s a living testament to history. It’s a legacy of imperial ambition. It’s a place of stunning beauty. It’s a place waiting to be explored. Come experience the magic of Stary Petergof.