The Peterhof palace and park ensemble is a monument of world architecture. Not inferior in luxury to Versailles, the residence of the emperors of Russia is striking in its grandeur and amazing beauty. A huge number of tourists come to the most popular suburb of St. Petersburg, dreaming to see with their own eyes a unique landmark in which every palace, fountain or park has its own history.
The English park, which occupies a vast territory, is no exception. Broken down during the European fashion of Catherine II, it became the decoration of her three-story mansion, in which the Empress rested.
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Landscape masterpiece can be called the hallmark of Peterhof without exaggeration. Thanks to the efforts of garden masters D. Gavrilov, D. Meders and architect D. Quarenghi, an English park has grown on the territory.
A picturesque pond, which appeared during the reign of Peter I, became its heart.
Scenic Pond
In the 30s of the 18th century, the territory adjacent to the pond was given over to a menagerie where wild boars were kept. In a fewFor decades, it was demolished, and in its place appeared the English Park, which adorned the nearby palace.
Giving a peaceful mood, the pond divides the green zone into two parts and is its center. Gardeners who created a real miracle were engaged in planting trees and laying flat alleys. They very skillfully entered a colorful reservoir in a broken English park, and a complete impression of the natural origin of the landscape was created.
In 1781, all the arrangements were completed, and the construction of structures began. Later, the architect Quarenghi created the so-called "Birch House", which emphasized the picturesque decoration.
House for receiving guests
The rural log hut, with birch-clad walls and a roof covered with a thick layer of straw, did not look like anything interesting. However, behind the nondescript façade, the colorful interiors of the reception lounge with exquisite mirrors of various shapes, expensive parquet and six rooms decorated with intricate ornaments were hidden.
English palace in classical style
At this time, by order of Catherine, they begin to build a palace, called the English. It became the place where the empress retired, moving away from public affairs. Built on the shore of a pond, the building, which looked monumental among lush thickets and spreading trees, looked very austere. A powerful granite staircase, six columns supporting the loggia, mezzanine - all this fully expressed the classical style inarchitecture. The interior decoration of the halls was also laconic, where stucco played the main role.
Restraint in everything
The building, located on an artificial hill near the pond, was devoid of any luxury. Even the ceremonial halls did not shine with a lavish interior, but were cleaned in a restrained style. The guests' eyes were drawn to the portraits of European monarchs hung on the walls.
Architect's flaw
By the way, when designing the palace, the European architect did not take into account the local climate, forgetting about the vestibule, which led to problems in the harsh winter. And the masters who worked with him were afraid to point out the mistake.
Original bridges
The English park (Peterhof) included not only the palace under construction for more than 15 years. Eleven original bridges, which gave special splendor to the landscape, also caused surprise. Deliberately designed in the form of ruins and emphasized by rough stone blocks, they have become a real treasure of the park area.
Destruction of the park buildings after the death of Catherine II
Unfortunately, after the death of his mother, proud Paul I, who dreamed of changing the existing way of life, ordered the destruction of the pavilions in the park, and turned the palace into a military barracks.
Revival of the palace
The English park (Peterhof), the photo of which is presented in the article, was brought back to life only during the reign of Alexander I, who tried to restore it to its former appearance. Quarenghi was engaged in the repair of the palace, which served as the residence of foreign diplomats who came from all overcountries for luxurious receptions in Peterhof. In addition, there were music concerts and exhibitions of paintings by artists.
Destroyed masterpiece
After 1917, the masterpiece of classicism turned into an ordinary sanatorium, and during the Great Patriotic War it was completely destroyed, as evidenced by the marble pedestal.
The English Park (Peterhof), occupying more than 170 hectares, was also badly damaged.
How to get there?
A picturesque green oasis is located 1.7 kilometers from the center of St. Petersburg at the address: Peterhof, st. Peterhof. You can get there on your own by train departing from the B altic Station, by fixed-route taxis No. 404, 224, 200, 343, 103, 424 or by meteor from the Hermitage pier. Travel time is from half an hour to 40 minutes.
Peterhof with the palace and park ensemble is the most favorite vacation spot for tourists who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of past centuries. The world-famous architectural monument is a real achievement of national culture. A visit to the English Park will give aesthetic pleasure, and everyone will be imbued with the magical charm of a historical place.
