Fountains of Petrodvorets. Peterhof: palaces, fountains and parks

How to get there: by bus from the stations Baltiyskaya, Avtovo, Leninsky Prospekt. By train from the Baltic station to the New Peterhof station, then by local buses running in the city. By meteor from the pier on Palace Embankment or near Dekabristov Square (meteors begin running from May to September)

Opening hours: ticket office 09:00 – 19:30, fountains from 10:00 – 18:00, on weekends: 10:00 – 19:00.

Ceremonial launch of fountains: Big Cascade: 11:00, Cracker Fountains “Water Road”: 13:00, 14:00, 15:00.

Today Peterhof is the most popular of all St. Petersburg suburbs. During the period when the fountains are open (from May to September), the area is full of tourists. Such popularity is not easy, because Peterhof is often called the Russian Versailles, with all its fountains and palaces. You can verify this by visiting this suburb. It is easy to get to Peterhof from St. Petersburg. You can use any type of transport convenient for you: train, bus or meteor. The entire journey will take no more than 30 minutes. Please note that if you go by train, to get to the palace and park ensemble you will need to walk a few more kilometers, or take a local bus. A ticket for this bus will cost no more than 15 rubles. But by choosing this type of transport, you will be able to get to know the city of Peterhof better, and not just the part where the park is located. Meteor and a commuter bus will take you straight to the palace and park ensemble and you won’t have to get lost.

The palace and park ensemble itself consists of two parts: the Upper Park, the palace and the Lower Park. Actually, all tourists strive to get to the Lower Park, since this is where the famous fountains are located. To enter the park you need to purchase a ticket. For adult residents of Russia, a ticket will cost about 350 rubles. There are also discount tickets, they are cheaper. The ticket gives you access to the park where all the fountains are located. However, if you want to get into the palace or another complex located in the park, you will have to buy a ticket to enter them separately. Please note that if you arrive in Peterhof by meteor, you will go straight from the pier to the middle part of the park, leading straight to the main cascade. If you arrive in Peterhof by bus or train, your journey through the park will begin directly from the palace, from the Upper Park.

I don’t like to go into history and overload readers with dates, however, in order to have an understanding of how such beauty was built, I will give some facts. Peterhof was conceived by Peter I after visiting Paris. During his visit to France, Peter spent a lot of time in the suburbs of Paris and paid special attention to Versailles. He liked this suburb so much that he decided to build something similar, but more magnificent, in Russia. This is how the idea of ​​constructing a palace and park ensemble with a huge number of fountains was born. Now many may say that Peterhof is something like a plagiarism of Versailles. However, in my opinion, Peterhof has many differences from Versailles, which create its uniqueness. For example, it is more compact, and its palace fits more organically into the park ensemble than Versailles. These are completely different buildings and cannot be compared. A large amount of effort was invested in the construction of Peterhof. The best architects of France, Russia and Italy took part in its construction. The most difficult thing was to think over the water supply system for the fountains. There were several water supply projects, but all of them were either too expensive or very cumbersome. As a result, Peter I himself, who had a good engineering education, developed a water supply system. He proposed supplying water from the Ropshinsky Heights, from where it flowed by gravity into the fountains and provided the required pressure. To this day, this system is considered unique in the world. Now, of course, many fountains use electric pumps that provide the required water pressure, but some fountains still receive water using a system of height differences, in a natural way.

Musicians often perform in the park in the summer

The fountains were first launched in 1721, in honor of the celebration of Russia's victory in the Northern War. The opening was attended by a large number of representatives of foreign countries with their retinues. After the opening of Peterhof, Peter moved his summer residence here. But the development did not stop there. During the reign of Nicholas I, new parks were laid out here - Alexandria, Lugovoy and new buildings were built - the Farmers' Palace, the Gothic Chapel, the Belvedere. After the First World War in 1918, the park was nationalized and given to the state, but there was not enough money to maintain it, many fountains fell into disrepair and were closed. The 1924 flood worsened the park's condition. Water from the Gulf of Finland flooded the Lower Park and clogged many fountains with sand and silt. Soon, specialists began restoring the fountains, and in 1926, many of them were already restored. However, another misfortune awaited Peterhof - during the Second World War, as a result of fierce battles, Soviet troops had to abandon the city. On the day the city was liberated, January 19, 1944, a terrible picture of devastation and desolation was discovered: museums were looted, palaces were in ruins, fountains were destroyed. None of the suburbs of St. Petersburg suffered as much as Peterhof. After the war, its active restoration immediately began and already in August 1946 the fountains were launched again. Now, thanks to restorers, architects and engineers, we can once again admire the beauty and richness of this historical monument.

Upper Park

The upper park covers an area of ​​about 15 hectares. There are numerous small gardens (bosquets), arched alleys (berso) entwined with plants with gazebos, flower beds and lawns. Such parks had the function of the main entrance to the palace. But the main role in the park is not given to the palace, but to the mirror pools with fountains located in the center:

After walking through the entire Upper Park you will see a magnificent palace that separates the Upper and Lower Parks.

Lower Park

It will take you longer to explore the Lower Park than the Upper Park, so be patient and don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes. If you are traveling with small children, you can use the services of electric excursion cars that will take you throughout the lower park past the fountains.

The park has 150 fountains and 6 large cascades. When you get to Nizhny Park you immediately find yourself near Grand Cascade– the largest fountain ensemble in the world, including 60 fountains. This cascade was restored and restored three times. The design of the large cascade includes more than 250 sculptural works, shining with gold. It looks especially beautiful in the sun. Each sculpture has its own meaning: for example, Neptune and Amphitrite symbolize Russian naval victories, and Diana and Actaeon personify Russia and the Swedish king Charles XII. The entire cascade as a whole praises Russia's victory in the Northern War.

Big and Small Grottoes, located in the center of the Grand Cascade, decorated with fountains and not noticeable at first glance, give the cascade grace and lightness. The grottoes can be visited by purchasing a separate ticket.

All the waters of the Grand Cascade descend into a vast bowl pool – Ladle. On the sides of the bowl are pagan and forest creatures that create new streams of water. The Grand Cascade is crowned by the most famous composition, which is worth paying special attention to and enjoying its beauty - fountain "Samson tearing the lion's mouth". This fountain was created in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Poltava and symbolizes Russia's victory over Sweden. The stream escaping from the lion's mouth reaches a height of 20 m; in one second the fountain consumes up to 70 liters of water! During the launch of the Grand Cascade, the Samson fountain is the first to be turned on, and only when the stream from the lion’s mouth reaches its peak height, the other fountains of the cascade are launched.

Samson and the Voronikhin Colonnade

Departs from the Grand Cascade Sea channel, connecting the palace with the Gulf of Finland. There are 22 fountains along the canal, gushing from marble bowls. This canal serves as the central axis of the Lower Park. Previously, it was navigable; ships of guests visiting the palace entered here. After the establishment of the Grand Cascade, navigation through the canal ceased. Now there are 2 small bridges on the canal, from which a beautiful view of the palace opens.

There are a large number of fountains in the lower park, each with its own history and characteristics. However, I will not talk in detail about all the fountains, otherwise it will be an endless story. I will only tell you briefly about the main ones.

• Fountains of the Large parterre flower beds: Nymph and Danaid. These are the first fountains of Peterhof.

  

• Fountain Favorite. This is a fabol fountain or a fountain “with a hidden meaning.” Find it yourself!
• Fountains Adam and Eve. They symbolize the marriage of Peter I and Catherine I.

  

• From a distance, the stream escaping from a pipe raised above the water really looks like a whale stream.

  

• Management fountains. The strength and height of the jets of these fountains reaches 15m. Peter I himself made drawings of fountain water cannons for them.

  

• It adorns the Orangerie Garden, the richest garden in terms of flower diversity. Here, as before, you can see tulips, daffodils, roses, phlox and other flowers. In the center of the composition is Triton’s fight with a fantastic beast. This fountain had not only aesthetic value, but also economic value. Previously, water was taken from it to water flowers and trees in the garden.

  

  

  

  

  

• Two fountains, the architectural design of which is inspired by the fountains in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. From the place where the fountains are installed, 7 alleys diverge, including the alley leading to the Monplaisir Palace.

  

  

  

• This is the most abundant fountain in the Lower Park with a water flow of more than 150 liters per second. The fountain's water jet consists of 505 nozzles.

  

  

• It is the central structure of the Menagereisky Garden, where Peter the Great’s Menagerie with ponds and aviaries for birds was originally located. The central water jet of the fountain is equipped with a rotating column, on top of which a structure with 187 holes is fixed. Rotating, the jets resemble the rays of the sun. Today it is a rare example of a mechanical fountain.

  

• Cracker fountains. Some of the most interesting fountains in the park. They suddenly turn on, spraying their jets of unsuspecting passers-by. There are several joker fountains in the Lower Park: Umbrella, Oak, Fir-trees, Sofas, Water Road. The last fountain turns on 3 times a day for only a few minutes. Don't miss the opportunity to see this spectacle!

  

When talking about Peterhof, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just fountains. The park complex contains a large number of pavilions that are of no less interest: the Hermitage, Bath complex, Aviaries for birds, Monplaisir, Marly Palace. Special attention should be paid to Monplaisir (translated as “my pleasure”). It was here, and not in the large palace, that Peter I most often stayed when coming to Peterhof. Adjacent to the palace is a Dutch-style garden with several fountains and sculptures. Montplaisir is worth visiting and enjoying its decoration.

Peter I. If you put a coin in your boot, your wish will come true

Swans swim in the pond behind the enclosure

In the center of the park is the Great Peterhof Palace, which was created by several architects, one of whom was Rastrelli. For a long time, it housed the ceremonial residence of the royal family. In the interiors of the palace you can see numerous paintings and portraits of Russian emperors, silk flowing along the walls and gilded wooden carvings.

View from the palace to the Chalice fountain

Of course, the Peterhof palace and park ensemble occupies one of the important places in the cultural and historical heritage of Russia. Everything here is imbued with royal luxury. It is worth visiting Peterhof during the fountain season. Please note that during winter all fountains are turned off. But as soon as spring comes, the park blooms again with all its colors. Next to the park ensemble there is another park, which does not have fountains, but that makes it no less interesting - Alexandria Park. It is a wilder park with exquisite pavilions. You can walk along it or take a sightseeing tram.

It’s not for nothing that Peterhof is considered the most visited suburb of St. Petersburg. Many tourists strive to come here. The beauty, wealth and splendor of the environment that reigns here tirelessly remind us of the power that Imperial Russia possessed! Well, did you feel its resemblance to Versailles?

How long have I not seen this beauty!!! There wasn't enough time. And it happened!
All tourists who come to St. Petersburg strive here. And not in vain, judge for yourself.
A little history and my photos:

Peterhof (from German Peterhof - “Peter's courtyard”, from 1944 to 1997 - Petrodvorets)

Peterhof was founded in 1710 as an imperial country residence, and became a city in 1762. The city is home to a monument of world architecture and palace and park art of the 18th-19th centuries, the Peterhof Museum-Reserve. Science City since 2005.

For the first time, Peterhof (German: Peterhof - Peter's yard) was mentioned in the traveling journal of Peter I in 1705 as a “travel yard” and a pier for moving to Kotlin Island. It was one of many manors (“passing houses”) built along the road from St. Petersburg along the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland. This is the entry that appeared in the Journal of Peter I dated September 13, 1705

View of the Lower Park from the Grand Palace.

In the 1710s, active landscape and architectural work began here on the construction of the estate of Peter I. In 1714, the Great Peterhof Palace, the Great Grotto with cascades, Monplaisir and other buildings in the Lower Park were founded. Gradually, near the construction of the residence, the Small Sloboda (to the south and southeast of the Upper Park) and the Big Sloboda (to the west, the so-called Old Peterhof, along modern Sobstvenny Avenue) appeared. Ships from Kronstadt and St. Petersburg arrived there, at the Merchants' Pier. In 1721, a water saw mill was founded, and with it a lapidary factory (now the Petrodvorets Watch Factory).

Grand Palace and Grand Cascade.

To supply the fountains of Peterhof, a special water pipeline with a total length of 40 km was built. Along its route there are 18 storage ponds containing more than 1.3 million cubic meters of water and covering an area of ​​almost 100 hectares. The water pipeline was created in 1720-1721 according to the design of hydraulic engineer Vasily Tuvolkov. On August 9, 1721, water cannons began working. By 1723, the formation of the palace and park ensemble was largely completed. By this time, the main planning elements of the Lower Park had been formed, the Grand Palace and Monplaisir Palace had been built, and a water supply system of fountains had been constructed.

Sea Canal and Fountain Alley

The basis of the park's layout is two systems of radial alleys (directions north-south and west-east), intersecting each other. All the main alleys of the Lower Park either face the bay or end with a fountain. The layout strictly adheres to the principle of symmetry. The central axis is the Grand Cascade and the Sea Canal. At equal distances from the axis are the “Adam” and “Eve” fountains, the “Chess Mountain” and “Golden Mountain” cascades, the Monplaisir Palace and the Hermitage Pavilion.

Fountain "Samson tearing the lion's mouth."
It is believed that the figure of Samson appeared in connection with the Poltava victory of Russian troops against the Swedes, won on the day of Sampson the Stranger. The lion is associated with Sweden, since this particular symbol is present on the country’s coat of arms to this day.

The jet shoots up 21 meters.
The fountain-monument was installed in 1735.

According to the original plans, when creating the Grand Cascade, a fountain was not planned in the bucket in front of it, and during the life of Peter I there was no fountain in the bucket. For the first time, the fountain “Samson tearing the mouth of a lion” was installed in a bucket in front of the Great Cascade of Peterhof in 1735 in honor of the 25th anniversary of the historical victory of the Russian army over the Swedes at Poltava (Battle of Poltava), won on June 27, 1709 on St. Sampsonia the Stranger. Throughout the history of Peterhof, there were 3 Samson fountains in front of the Grand Cascade. The first, installed in 1735, was cast from lead by the sculptor B.-K. Rastrelli, the pedestal for the sculpture was probably designed by the architect M. Zemtsov, and the hydraulic equipment was created by the hydraulic master P. Sualem. But by 1801, the sculpture had become dilapidated and was replaced by a bronze group, created according to the designs of the Russian classicist master M. Kozlovsky. At the same time, A. Voronikhin designed a new pedestal.

Rainbow over Samson...

The fountain was heavily damaged during the German occupation during the Great Patriotic War. The original statue has been lost. In 1947, sculptors V. Simonov and N. Mikhailov, based on archival data, photographs and works by M. Kozlovsky, recreated “Samson”; the restored ensemble was opened on September 14, 1947. On December 28, 2010, the statue was dismantled and sent for restoration, and on April 17, 2011, it was returned to its place.

In the background are the Voronikhin colonnades.

The marble Voronikhin colonnades (1800-1803) received their name after their creator, the former serf Andrei Voronikhin, who was awarded the title of architect for the design of the Peterhof colonnades. The colonnades, made up of paired columns, end in pavilions with high domed roofs. In the center of each dome is a low fountain. On the flat roofs of the colonnades there are fountains in the form of elegant gilded vases. The entrances are guarded by granite lions, carved according to I. Prokofiev’s models. The colonnades were restored in 1966.

Grotto.

ENSEMBLE OF THE EASTERN PART OF THE LOWER PARK:

Fountain "Adam"

The paired fountains “Adam” and “Eve” are located on the axis of Marlinsky Alley, the main alley of the park, running parallel to the seashore. “Adam” is located in the eastern part of the park, “Eve” is in the western; both fountains are compositional and semantic dominants of the corresponding parts of the park and are located almost at their central points. Small squares with diverging rays of large and small alleys are formed around them. The fountains attract attention from afar, appearing in perspective from different angles from many vantage points.

Fountain-joke "Oak"
The “oak tree” with gilded leaves was part of the decor of the fountain, built in 1735 according to a drawing by B. K. Rastrelli for the Upper Garden. In the middle of the 18th century it was dismantled and stored in a storeroom. In 1802, the fountain master F. Strelnikov repaired it and painted it in a natural color

At the same time, tulip fountains and two figured benches were placed around the “Oak”, from behind the backs of which a water canopy suddenly rises. The Oak and Tulip fountains and benches, destroyed during the war, were recreated in 1953 based on surviving fragments and a drawing from 1828.

Fountain-joke “Chinese Umbrella”, or “Mushroom”
In 1796, F. P. Brouwer and I. V. Keyser created the Umbrella Fountain (“Chinese Umbrella”). A massive pillar serves as a support for the roof, completed with a wooden carved flower and bordered with scallops. Under the umbrella there is a round chair with carved elbows. When a fountain operates, jets of one hundred and sixty-four tubes shoot along the edge of the roof, preventing visitors from leaving. In the 1860s, the roof of the “Umbrella” was given the shape of a fly agaric mushroom, emphasized by appropriate coloring, and it became known as the “Mushroom”. The fountain, destroyed by the Nazis, was recreated in 1949 in its original form according to the design of the architect A. A. Olya. The decorative decoration of the “Umbrella” was restored by the carver G. S. Simonov.

Monument to Peter I.

Cascade "Chess Mountain"
Chess Mountain is a cascade located on the slope of a terrace, with black and white, “chess” plateaus.

At the top of the cascade there is a grotto surrounded by three colorful figures of dragons, from whose mouths jets of water burst out. The cascade consists of four ledges and ends in a round pool. On both sides of the cascade there are staircases decorated with white stone statues.

Roman fountains
The fountains are called Roman because their appearance is copied from two fountains installed in Rome, in the square in front of St. Peter's Basilica. “Roman fountains” appeared in the park in 1739 and were made of wood with lead-lined bowls designed by architects I. Blank and I. Davydov.

During the Great Patriotic War, the Nazis damaged the marble cladding of the pyramids, destroyed swimming pools, and blew up pipelines. The fountains were restored already in 1949.

The height of the fountains is more than 10 meters.

Fountain "Sun"
was built in 1721 - 1724 under the leadership of the architect N. Michetti. Twenty jets beat around the central column.

The fountain is located in the center of a fairly large rectangular reservoir, where sturgeon were kept and swans and ducks swam in the 18th century. At the end of the century, the architect Felten converted the pond into a bathhouse. At the same time, a wheel driven by water was placed in the reservoir. The wheel rotates a column, on top of which there are discs with 187 holes, from which streams pour out, making the fountain look like the sun with many rays. At the base of the fountain there are figures of dolphins.

During the Great Patriotic War, the fountain was completely destroyed and restored only in 1956

Monplaisir Palace
Translated from French (French: mon plaisir), the name of the palace means “my pleasure” - that’s what Peter I called it. Monplaisir is located in the eastern part of the Lower Park, right on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. The building was built from 1714 to 1723.

Monplaisir was the favorite palace of Peter I - the interior and exterior decoration of the palace are distinguished by rigor and rationality.

Fountain "Sheaf" - the central fountain in the Monplaisir Garden
The Sheaf Fountain is one of the first fountains of Peterhof, built on the instructions of Peter I. It was created in 1722 - 1723 by the architect N. Michetti and the fountain master Sualem. The center of the composition is a high tuff pedestal in the form of a bunch of ears of corn (sheaf), from which a powerful stream of water shoots out. Below in the circle there are 24 more inclined, thinner jets.

Monplaisir kindergarten

Another joker fountain in the Monplaisir garden

Even though it’s mid-May, spring is just beginning...
And the meteor flies to St. Petersburg...

View of the Sea Canal from the Gulf of Finland.

ENSEMBLE OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE LOWER PARK

Fountain "Eva".
It is an octagonal pool with 16 water jets. The statue was made of Carrara marble by the sculptor D. Bonazza, and was installed before the construction of the fountain, in 1720.

Hermitage Palace
In the ensemble of the western part of the Lower Park, a special place is occupied by the elegant Hermitage pavilion, which is located symmetrically to the Monplaisir Palace. During the construction period, this pavilion was called Petit Monplaisir for some time.

The two-story building is distinguished by well-found proportions. The windows and doors have small glazing characteristic of Peter's time. Openwork wrought-iron grilles of windows and balconies on the second floor level decorate the northern and southern facades.

Hermitages were widespread in the royal residences of Europe in the 18th century. They were intended for communication between persons especially close to the court or for the solitary time spent by monarchs (“Hermitage” translated from French as a hermit’s hut). There was even a lifting table, which was served downstairs and raised to the second floor banquet hall in order to dispense with the presence of servants.

The Peterhof Hermitage is the first such building in Russia. It was built in 1721-1724. designed by the architect I. Braunstein.

By order of Peter I, the Hermitage was surrounded by a moat filled with water, across which a drawbridge (now a stationary one) was thrown from the side of the radial alley.

And then we go to the Marly Palace

The Marly Palace is the main building of the western part of the Lower Park. Despite its small size, it plays an important role in the overall structure of the entire ensemble. Three main alleys radiate from the palace, cutting through the park from west to east: the central - Marlinskaya, the northern - Malibanskaya and the southern - Birch.

The palace stands on an artificial bridge between the large Marlinsky pond and the Sector ponds.

A high embankment located north of Marly protects the palace and Marly Garden from the wind from the Gulf of Finland.

Cascade "Golden Mountain"

The “Golden Mountain” cascade is so named because the vertical part of the cascade steps is trimmed with gilded copper sheet. If you look at the cascade from below, standing at the foot, you get the impression of a flowing golden stream. Located near the Marly Palace.

Lion Cascade
The idea of ​​arranging the Lower Park was based on the principle: each palace must have a corresponding cascade. In 1721, construction began on the Hermitage pavilion and the alley leading to it was laid out. According to the original plan, the prospect of the Hermitage Alley on the southern side was to be closed by the Hermitage Cascade.

The cascade, designed in the style of late classicism, is somewhat unusual for the Peterhof ensemble. It is distinguished by the severity of antique forms, the laconicism of the water design, the emphatically restrained colors of the stone, and the complete absence of gilded details.

In the middle of the colonnade, on a hill made of granite blocks, a statue by F. P. Tolstoy “Nymph Aganipa” was installed.

We return to the Grand Palace and the cascade.

The palace is the main building of the Peterhof palace and park ensemble. Initially, a rather modest royal palace, built in the “Petrine Baroque” style in 1714-1725 according to the Zh-B project. Leblond, and then N. Michetti, was rebuilt under Empress Elizabeth Petrovna in 1747-1752 according to the model of Versailles (architect F.-B. Rastrelli), in the so-called mature Baroque style. 30 halls, including richly decorated state rooms, plastered to resemble marble, with painted ceilings, inlaid parquet and gilded walls.

And these are the fountains of the Upper Park
The upper garden, which has an area of ​​15 hectares, was laid out under Peter I. Peter, known for his practical approach to everything, used the garden as a vegetable garden in which vegetables were grown. The Upper Garden acquired its modern appearance as a regular park in the second half of the 18th century. At this time, fountains appear in the garden

Fountain "Neptune"
Initially, the fountain figures were created in Nuremberg (Germany). A swimming pool with a pedestal for installing the composition had already been built on the city market square, when it turned out that there was simply not enough water in the local rivers for the functioning of the fountains. The sculptures were dismantled and put in a barn, where they lay for about a hundred years, until the future Russian Emperor Paul came to Nuremberg in the 1780s while traveling around Europe. The city authorities sold the composition to him, valuing it at a huge sum for those times - 30 thousand rubles.

During the Great Patriotic War, all sculptures were dismantled and taken to Germany. In 1947, the sculptural group was again delivered to Peterhof and installed in the same place, but the fountain was launched only in 1956.

Last look at the palace, the park...
">
And-home...

The text is taken from the site.

is the capital of fountains. The fountains of Peterhof are monuments of world culture. Water enters the fountains of Peterhof naturally through a system of locks, canals, reservoirs and springs from the Ropshinsky Heights, and the height of the jets can vary depending on their filling. The pumps were never used in Peterhof. Almost 60 km of rivers, 16 ponds, canals and streams from the Ropshin Heights to the Monplaisir Palace itself participate in the unique “dance of water”. Water along the road is collected in metal pipes laid underground. For more than 3 centuries, this unique system has been supplying the pearl of Peterhof - the Lower Park. In winter, in the off-season and always at night, the fountains of Peterhof do not work. The design of all 147 fountains and 4 cascades should create in the air the picture that the architects of the era of Peter I conceived. The summer season of Peterhof fountains opens on the May holidays and lasts until mid-October. The beginning of the work of the Peterhof Fountains is accompanied by a costumed theatrical performance and colorful fireworks at the Grand Palace. The opening celebration of the fountains in 2019 took place on May 18. Autumn Fountain Festival - closing of fountains in Peterhof in 2019 it will take place on September 20 and 21. You can go to the evening grand show as part of an excursion.

The valves of the Peterhof fountains are opened every morning by a team of eleven people manually in a strictly specified sequence - this is a whole ritual. Among the fountains of Peterhof, four cascades stand out: the Grand Cascade, the Golden Mountain, the Lion Mountain and the Chess Mountain. All operating fountains of Peterhof throw more than 1000 liters of water into the air per second.

Since 1990, the fountains, parks and museums of Petrodvorets have been part of the Peterhof State Museum-Reserve. The main composition is located near the Grand Palace: Upper Garden, Lower Park, Grand Cascade, Samson Fountain. Jets of water merge with the surface of the Sea Canal and head towards the Gulf of Finland.

Upper Garden of Peterhof

The Upper Garden is decorated with fountains: Oak (1734), Square Ponds fountains (sculptures “Venus of Italy” and “Apollo”), a round pool of the “Mezheumny” fountain with a winged dragon at the main entrance to the Upper Garden. The oldest of them is the Neptune fountain. His statue was cast back in 1660 and it turns out that he is 50 years older than Peterhof.

Lower Park of Peterhof

The lower park occupies 102 hectares. The lower park is an elongated triangle. The lower park stretches 500 meters from south to north and 2.5 km from east to west along the shores of the Gulf of Finland. The lower park has two systems of intersecting radial alleys. If you look from the Grand Palace to the Gulf of Finland, then the central axis of the Lower Park is formed. The central axis is seen as the “Grand Cascade” fountain and the Sea Canal leading to the Peterhof pier. The Sea Canal is decorated with the Alley of Fountains (12 pairs of fountains with jets 4 meters high).

The Sea Canal conventionally divides the Lower Park into two parts: eastern and western.

Eastern part: Catherine's building, Monplaisir Palace, Bath building, Aviaries, "Chess Mountain" cascade, "Bells", "Sheaf", "Pyramid", "Sun" fountains, "Shutikha" fountains (step on its secret part and the fountain will spray ), “Roman Fountains”, “Greenhouse”.

Western part: the Hermitage pavilion and the alley leading to it with the Lion Cascade fountain with a U-shaped pool with water ledges and a colonnade of 14 eight-meter columns, Marly Palace, Menagerie Fountains, Golden Mountain cascade, Cloches (“ Tritons").

Great Peterhof Palace

The central place in the Lower Park is given to the majestic building “Great Peterhof Palace”, which, with an observation deck with a parapet, rises above the “Grottoes” museum and the “Grand Cascade” fountain. Below, opposite the “Great Peterhof Palace”, two symmetrical Voronikhin Colonnades (designed by architect A. Voronikhin) and two symmetrical “Chalice” fountains are organically integrated into the park ensemble. The "Chalice" (Italian) fountains release luxurious jets of water in the western part of the Lower Park, and the "Chalice" (French) fountains - in the eastern part. Behind the western Voronikhin Colonnade, the original Favoritny fountain, a favorite of children and adults, smiles welcomingly at guests. The idea of ​​this fountain is this: the dog Favorite is trying to catch up with the ducks and all this action is accompanied by acoustic effects.

Photo of the "Big Cascade" fountain in Peterhof

Russia’s victory for access to the Baltic Sea is embedded in the architectural idea of ​​the “Great Cascade” fountain, the largest triumphal monument of the 18th century. The “Big Cascade” fountain is the most beautiful and solemn among the fountains of Peterhof. The “Great Cascade” has a façade length of 42 meters, three staircases along which water rain flows like waterfalls, two grottoes, 252 sculptures, 29 bas-reliefs, 64 fountains. The Upper and Lower Grottoes are the architectural center of the Grand Cascade fountain. Entrance to the Grottoes Museum is through the upper terrace of the Cascade. The lower grotto is crowned with the “Basket” fountain - the strongest and most abundant (9 high jets and 28 inclined side jets, intertwined in the shape of a basket).

The ensemble of the central part of the Lower Park is the fountain “Samson tearing apart the mouth of a lion” (1735). The water jet of the Samson fountain shoots up 20 meters, the weight of the sculpture is 5 tons, the height is 3.3 meters. The Samson fountain was restored after the Great Patriotic War in 1947, and in 2011, after restoration, it began to sparkle with new colors.

On the axis of Marlinskaya Alley, which stretches two kilometers along the shore of the Gulf of Finland, there are two paired fountains, originally preserved for more than three centuries, surrounded by four Trellis pavilions: the “Adam” fountain and the “Eve” fountain. The Adam fountain (1722) is located in the eastern part of the Lower Park. The Eva Fountain (1726) occupies its place in the western part of the park. These multi-water symmetrical fountains with a varied pattern of 16 jets differ only in the sculptures in the center of the fountains, made of Italian marble. According to the architects, these fountains symbolize the imperial power of the first owners of Peterhof - Peter I and Catherine I.

The fountains of Peterhof are unique, varied and very beautiful. Admire the water the color of lapis lazuli pearls, because lapis lazuli are gilded stars that shine from within! Come to Peterhof, experience the “dance of drops on the water” and give yourself a few moments of magic in the photographs taken.

Fountains of Peterhof (St. Petersburg, Russia) - description, history, location, reviews, photos and videos.

• Tours for the New Year in Russia
• Last minute tours in Russia

Previous photo Next photo

In the design of his summer residence, which was supposed to be equal to Versailles in its luxury, Peter I assigned the most important role to fountains. The emperor, in his decrees, explained in detail how and where a fountain or cascade should be built. Despite the fact that Peterhof suffered greatly during the years of fascist occupation, many of the fountains from the time of Peter I have been operating for more than 300 years and their world fame has not faded. The last restoration was carried out in 1995. There are about 150 fountains and cascades in the Lower and Upper Parks of Peterhof. It is not possible to describe all of them, but we cannot fail to mention at least some of them.

The Great Cascade, sparkling with gold sculptures and silver water jets, is a fantastic sight. In the center of the water bucket, the powerful jet of the Samson fountain soars up, and the cascade is connected to the bay by the Sea Canal. The Grand Cascade is the most significant structure of the Peterhof fountain system and a brilliant monument of Baroque art.

The fountain “Samson tearing the mouth of a lion” (1802) symbolizes the victory of Russia over Sweden, which took place on the day of St. Sampson, the emblem of which includes a lion.

Two large "Chalice" fountains are located on both sides of the Grand Cascade and compositionally support the huge water column of "Samson". The ensemble of the Lower Park parterre consists of these powerful fountains, large flower beds and marble Voronikhinsky colonnades, from the roofs of which streams flow from golden vases, flowing into semicircular bowls. Behind the western Voronikhin colonnade there is a funny Favorite fountain. In a small pool, 4 ducks and a pug chasing them are moving in a circle, while barking and quacking are heard. This fountain serves as an example of Peter I’s plan to build 22 fountains along the Sea Canal with sculptural decorations based on scenes from Aesop’s fables.

Behind the western Voronikhin colonnade there is a funny Favorite fountain. In a small pool, 4 ducks and a pug chasing them are moving in a circle, while barking and quacking are heard.

Some of the most beautiful fountains in Peterhof are the Roman fountains, so named for their similarity to the fountains in the square in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. A huge disk rests on a massive marble cubic pedestal, on which is a smaller pedestal with another disk, from the center of which five jets shoot out. The fountains are decorated with colored marble, gold garlands, wreaths and mascarons. Next to the Roman fountains, the waters of the “Chess Mountain” cascade flow down the slope, the steps of which are painted to resemble a chessboard. However, at first the cascade was called “Dragon Mountain”, since the entrance to the upper grotto is guarded by three dragons, from whose open mouths powerful streams of water pour out.

Many wonderful fountains were installed in the Monplaisir Garden, adjacent to the Monplaisir Palace - the favorite brainchild of Peter, who wanted to see St. Petersburg, Kronstadt, and the northern shore of the Gulf of Finland from his windows. The largest of them is the “Sheaf” fountain, surrounded on four sides by bell fountains: sculptures of Psyche, Faun, Apollino and Bacchus are installed on pedestals in the form of inverted bowls from which water flows. The two modest white benches in the Monplaisir Garden are not as simple as they seem at first glance. As soon as you approach them, thin streams of water will immediately overtake you. And these are not the only joker fountains in Peterhof. For example, “Oak” is a tree surrounded by tulips and two benches next to it. Anyone who wants to look at a tulip blooming so late is immediately doused with a stream of water, retreating under a tree only adds wetness to the sensations, and running to the benches, from which water also suddenly begins to flow, completes the matter. There are also several other firecrackers in the Lower Park, but we will give you the opportunity to find out which ones for yourself.

Fountain operating hours

The fountains operate only in summer, from late April to approximately mid-October. The fountains of the Grand Cascade are solemnly launched every day at 11:00 to the music of Gliere “Hymn to the Great City” and turned off at 18:00. The spring festival of the grand opening of the fountains usually takes place in mid-May.

The season also closes solemnly - with the Autumn Fountain Festival around mid-September. In mid-October they are turned off for the winter and turned on only at the end of April.

Address: St. Petersburg, Peterhof.

Content:

When Peter I conceived a summer residence near St. Petersburg, he wanted it to be no less luxurious than Versailles. Peterhof fountains and cascades amaze with their splendor. They were made by the best engineers and sculptors, and most of the fountains have been working properly for almost three hundred years.

General view of the Grand Cascade, the Samson fountain against the backdrop of the Grand Palace

How the Peterhof fountains were built

The construction of a country residence in Peterhof began in 1712, and 3 years later large construction began in Strelna. Peter wanted to decorate the park ensemble of the new palace with fountains or, as they were called in those days, “water extravaganzas.” However, in order for the fountains to work around the clock, engineers had to raise the water to 10 m above sea level. The area surrounding Strelna was located below this mark, and if this happened, the territory would be flooded.

A way out of a difficult situation was found by hydraulic engineer Burchard Christoph von Munnich, known in Russia as Christopher Antonovich Minich. He made calculations, proved the impossibility of “water extravaganzas” in Strelna and proposed moving them to Peterhof, where nature itself took care of a suitable landscape. Thanks to the abundant springs of the Ropshinsky Heights, fountains in Peterhof could be made without the use of pumps. The hydraulic structures of the imperial residence were built gradually, and their scale significantly exceeded those of Versailles.

General view of the Alley of Fountains and the Sea Canal from the Grand Cascade

The German occupation caused great damage to the park, its palaces and fountains. In 1946, the restored fountains of the Lower Park began operating, and a year later the jets of the Samson fountain began to flow. Today, visitors can admire one and a half hundred operating fountains and four large water cascades.

Fountain Opening Celebration

During the winter, the Peterhof fountains are turned off, and in May a holiday dedicated to the opening of the fountains is held in St. Petersburg. The ceremonial launch of the fountains is accompanied by the performance of the Peterhof anthem.

The holiday starts at 14.00 and lasts until the evening. On this day in the park you can see theatrical performances, concerts, performances of military bands, balls and fireworks. Many tourists from Russia and abroad come to see the vibrant spectacle.

To attend the fountain opening celebration, you need to purchase a ticket to the Lower Park in advance. This can be done in advance on the website of the palace and park ensemble.

View of the fountains of the Lower Park and the Voronikhin colonnades

Fountains in the Upper Garden

The elevated part of the Peterhof park was laid out under Peter I and was used for growing herbs and vegetables. It has an area of ​​15 hectares and is located on a spacious terrace on the south side of the Grand Palace. All the fountains in this part of Peterhof were built in the 1730s. The green area is open for guests from 9.00 to 21.30, and the fountains here are turned on from 10.00 to 18.00. Free admission.

Square Ponds Fountains

Eastern fountain of the Square Ponds decorated with a statue of Apollo

The elegant fountains around the water reservoirs at the top of the park did not appear immediately. Their sketches were made by the famous sculptor and foundry maker Bartolomeo Carlo Rastrelli. Today, both ponds are decorated with bronze dolphins, the goddess of love and beauty, Venus, as well as the god of light and patron of the arts, Apollo.

Oak

Oak fountain against the backdrop of the Grand Palace

In the round pool located in the center of the garden, there is a fountain with Cupid wearing a mask. The hero of the ancient epic was placed on a small island shaped like a starfish. The fountain was named “Oak” because originally there stood a gilded oak tree, around which there were statues of tritons and dolphins.

Neptune

Fountain "Neptune" from the west

One of the oldest fountains in the park was restored quite recently - in April 2016. On a high granite pedestal you can see a bronze figure of the ruler of all seas. At the foot of the pedestal there are statues of boys sitting on dolphins and warriors on hot horses. The fountain is decorated with figures of babies and intricate arrangements of corals and shells. During the occupation, German troops took the statues of this fountain to Germany, and when the war ended, the bronze parts were returned to their homeland.

Mezheumny

Fountain "Mezheumny" from the main gate

Next to the main gate there is a fountain with an unusual name, which arose due to the frequent change of its decor. Now the fountain is decorated with bronze sculptures of a sea dragon and several dolphins.

Fountains of the Lower Park

The oldest part of the Peterhof ensemble occupies the land between the Gulf of Finland and the building of the Grand Palace. On an area of ​​102 hectares there are more than 140 fountains and cascades. The park is open to visitors from 9.00 to 21.00, on holidays - until 20.00. Please note that the ticket office closes half an hour earlier. Almost all fountains in this part of the park are launched from 10.00 to 20.45.

Grand Cascade

Grand Cascade from the West

A huge fountain complex at the foot of the Grand Palace appeared in the times of Peter the Great. Like the entire park, the Grand Cascade suffered greatly during the war years and then took a long time to be restored. Today, the wide cascade is decorated with over 225 sculptures made of gilded bronze, lead and marble.

Samson

Fountain "Samson" against the backdrop of the Grand Cascade and the Palace

This is the name of the beautiful fountain that stands at the foot of the Grand Cascade. The sculptural composition covered with gold symbolizes the military power of Russia. Samson, who tears the jaws of a ferocious lion, has long been considered the hallmark of the entire Peterhof complex.

Bowls

View of the eastern bowl

In the 1720s, beautiful paired fountains were built at the foot of the Grand Palace. At first the bowls were made of painted wood, but as time passed they were made of beautiful Carrara marble.

Alley of Fountains

View of the Alley of Fountains from the Marlinsky Bridge

The main entrance to the Grand Palace is decorated with a long Alley of Fountains. There are 22 water cannons installed on it, the thin jets of which resemble the branches of beautiful trees.

Favorite

View of the Favorite fountain

An interesting mechanical fountain is hidden from the west of the Voronikhin Colonnade. He appeared here in 1725. Four ducks hurry one after another through a deep pool, and a small dog, Favorite, catches up with them. Thin streams of water erupt from the mouth of the dog and the beaks of birds.

Adam and Eve

Fountain "Adam"

Paired fountains appeared in the park in the 20s of the 18th century. Their decor is completely the same, with the exception of the central sculptures. One fountain is decorated with a white marble statue of Eve, and the other with Adam.

Golden Mountain

View of the Golden Mountain cascade from the north

In the west of the Lower Park, on the hillside you can see an unusual cascade, built in the likeness of a fountain at the palace of the kings of France in Marly-le-Roi. The last restoration of the picturesque cascade was carried out in the fall of 2015.

Triton

Fountain "Triton (or Orangery)" from the side of the Great Orangery

The garden area to the south of the Orangery is decorated with a gilded sculptural group. It depicts the struggle of the lord of the waves, Triton, with a sea monster.

The victory of the lord of the waves over the forces of evil symbolizes the triumph won by Russia in the wars for the Baltic.

Management fountains

One of the Menager fountains

At the foot of the Golden Mountain cascade there are Menager fountains. Their name comes from the French verb “menager”, which means to save or save. It is curious that the original nozzles, thanks to which the water pressure significantly increased, were invented by Emperor Peter I.

Chess Mountain

Cascade "Chess Mountain" from the side of the Roman fountains

The central place in the largest square in the east of the Lower Park is occupied by a large water cascade. It is called “Chess Mountain” because of the drainage steps painted in black and white squares. On both sides, the water cascade is framed by marble statues of Greek gods.

Roman fountains

View of the Roman fountains

To the north of the “Chess Mountain” cascade there are two symmetrical two-tier water cannons. They were made in the likeness of the fountains in front of St. Peter's Basilica in the capital of Italy and began to be called “Roman”.

Lion Cascade

View of the Lion Cascade from Birch Alley

According to the idea of ​​Peter I, a separate fountain was supposed to be built at each park pavilion. An elegant Lion's Cascade was built near the Hermitage. Unlike other Peterhof cascades, this one was placed on a flat terrace, and not on a hillside.

whale

General view of the “Whale” fountain

Not far from the Lion Cascade you can see a small Sand Pond. A large column of water shoots out in the middle of it, and it is surrounded by four smaller jets. The design of the fountain changed several times. The name “Whale” has been preserved since the mid-18th century, when a wooden sculpture of a fish similar to a whale stood in the pond.

Sun

Fountain “Sun” from the side of the Lower Park enclosure

The central pond of the Menagereiny Garden is decorated with a beautiful fountain. The gilded discs on the column are turned by a hidden mechanism, and the streams of the watery Sun shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow.

Pyramid

Fountain "Pyramid"

The fountain that forms a high pyramid is considered the most original in the park. It differs not only in its unusual shape. The pyramid is a very high-water fountain. In just a second, it passes 100 liters of water through itself.

Triton bells

Fountain "Triton with a bell"

The fountain, decorated with four gilded sculptures, is located near the Marlinsky pond. In the hands of the newt boys you can see flat bowls.

Fountains at Monplaisir

Fountain "Sheaf" in the garden of the Monplaisir Palace

The garden adjacent to the Monplaisir Palace is divided into four porters. In the center of each of them there are water fountains, decorated with gilded figures of Apollo, Bacchus, Psyche and Faun. The water flowing from them forms transparent bells, which is why the fountains were called “Bells”.

The central place of the garden is occupied by the luxurious Sheaf fountain. It is made of stone and decorated with tuff. The jets rush upward in two tiers and are located at an angle, like ears of corn in a sheaf of rye. All fountains near the Monplaisir Palace are turned on from 10.00 to 19.00.

Cracker fountains

Fountain-joke "Water Road"

The most unusual decoration of the Lower Park is rightfully considered to be the cheerful joker fountains. They have different decorations, act differently and are very popular among visitors. When you try to get close or touch individual parts, splashes or jets of water suddenly fly out. It’s easy to guess the location of the water activities by the noise and cheerful laughter of tourists.

Fountain joker “Sofa”

The very first of the joker fountains built is called “Divanchiki”. It is located in the south of the Monplaisir garden. Nearby, on the alley, rises the arch of the “Water Road”, about which guests of Peterhof often call “Mochlinaya Road”. The arch is turned on three times a day for 15 seconds - at 13.00, 14.00 and 15.00.

Fountain-joke "Umbrella"

The Umbrella fountain was built in the park towards the end of the 18th century. In the Soviet years it was called “Mushroom”, so “wetting fun” retained both names. “Dubok” appeared earlier, in 1735. This is not a separate fountain, but a whole complex of water entertainment, from which no one manages to escape dry. “Dubok” and “Umbrella” run from 10.00 to 20.45.

Fountain-joke "Oak"

Three small Christmas tree fountains look very similar to natural trees. Many tourists, not seeing the catch, come close and receive thin streams of water from the “branches.” You can have fun at the Christmas Trees from 10.00 to 19.00.

Attraction rating