On the shores of the Gulf of Finland, Peter I built several country residences of Russian tsars. The palace and park complex includes park ensembles, in which palaces and magnificent fountains are harmoniously located. The idea of creation and architectural design belong to Peter I, and in translation from the Dutch "Peterhof" - "Peter's courtyard". The central place in the ensemble is occupied by the Great Peterhof Palace (address: St. Petersburg, Razvodnaya st., 2).
History of Peterhof
More than three hundred years ago, construction began on the summer country residence of Russian emperors on the outskirts of St. Petersburg. The main work began in 1714, and in August 1723, the opening of Peterhof took place, including the Upper Chambers (now the Great Peterhof Palace), Monplaisir and Marly Palaces. By the opening of the complex, several parks were planned and laid out, some of the fountains were put into operation. In subsequent reconstructions and restoration work after the Great Patriotic War, architectspreserved the ideas of the great Peter, captured in his drawings and sketches.
Upper Garden
For the main entrance to the Grand Peterhof Palace, the Upper Garden was laid, which was formed in three stages over fifty years under the guidance of different architects. But initially it was used for growing vegetables and fruits, and the upper ponds served for fountains and fish farming. The upper garden was completed according to the project of B. F. Rastrelli in the early to mid-eighteenth century. At the same time, the famous statues of Apollo Belvedere, Pomona (goddess of fertility), Zephyr (god of the wind) and Flora (goddess of spring) appeared in the park, as well as the composition "Neptune", located in the central pool.
The Grand Peterhof Palace
The description of the palace can begin with the history of construction in 1714-1725, according to the project of architects I. Braunstein and J. Leblon, modest Upper Chambers were built with several halls for receptions, banquets and the emperor's bedchamber. Subsequently, in 1745–1755, it was rebuilt by Empress Elizaveta Petrovna. Under the guidance of the world famous architect B. F. Rastrelli, a three hundred meter palace with magnificent facades was rebuilt according to the model of Versailles. Thirty halls, decorated in different styles, delight with their magnificence and richness. After a walk through the Upper Garden, visitors find themselves in the Great Peterhof Palace. Tickets worth 600 rubles and reduced tickets worth 300 rubles can be purchased at the box office from 10:30 to 17:00. The palace today has become historical and artisticmuseum with a huge number of exhibits, paintings and sculptures. The palace, as in former times, is the summer cultural center of Russia, where official meetings and receptions, as well as cultural events are held.
Front staircase, dance and reception halls
As conceived by the imperial family, the palace was supposed to perform protocol functions and emphasize the growing strength of the Russian state. And diplomatic receptions, balls and masquerades surprise with we alth and abundance. The architect Rastrelli successfully coped with this task. Already getting on the main staircase, visitors see magnificent carved statues symbolizing the seasons, monumental bas-reliefs on the walls, cartouches richly decorated with gilding. Tempera painting, stucco and forged metal elements are harmoniously intertwined in the interior. Further, the passage is made in the style of the Arc de Triomphe, the snow-white columns of which support the pediment with allegorical figures "Loy alty" and "Justice". The dance hall ("Merchant") is made in a festive style for balls and entertainment events. This is a large room with an area of 270 square meters. Numerous mirrors in false windows of blank walls increase its volume several times. Then visitors enter the Chesme Hall, the passage to which is also through the Blue Reception. The Great Peterhof Palace was built by Peter I on the coast in order to emphasize the assertion of Russia as a maritime power. Chesme Hall is named after the victory over the Turkish fleetunder Chesma and the consolidation of Russia not only in the B altic, but also in the Black Seas. The decoration of the hall and battle painting are dedicated to this goal. From here guests proceed to the Throne Room.
Center and Throne Room
The Grand Peterhof Palace has a through vestibule, which is a passage between the Upper Garden and the Lower Park. Here is the office of Peter I ("oak") and an oak staircase leading to the Picture Hall. Initially, its walls were decorated with French tapestries and several paintings of the Italian school. During the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, Count Pietro Rotari was appointed court painter. It was the portraits of his work that finally filled the entire interior. After examining the paintings, passing the Western Cabinet, visitors enter the White Dining Room, which is made in light matte colors. The dining room was used for its intended purpose, and the modern exposition consists of light-colored dining room furniture and two hundred pieces of faience crockery. The Throne Hall has an entrance from the side of the Chesme Hall and the Audienz Hall, which adjoins the White Dining Room. This is the largest room in the palace (330 square meters), featuring massive stucco depicting imperial and military symbols, as well as numerous portraits of the royal family.
West Wing of the Palace
The west wing is the female half with the chambers of the Empress and her inner circle. It consists of a dozen small rooms. From the East China Cabinet, visitors enteredPartridge living room, where the Empress spent the morning hours. It is connected directly with the queen's chambers: the Divan, the Dressing Room, the Study and the Crown Rooms. On the other side are the Secretarial, Blue Drawing Room, the quarters of the guards of the cavalry guards. The western wing ends with the palace church. Rastrelli designed the temple of the royal family in his own style - gracefully and magnificently. This is not just a church, but a small palace with rich decoration and a lot of gilding.
Lower Park
The Great Peterhof Palace is built on a natural hill and conditionally separates the melancholy Upper Garden from the pompous, gilded fountains of the Lower Park. The sea channel, dug from the palace to the Gulf of Finland, was taken as the center line of the planning of the park ensemble. Four alleys leading to the Monplaisir Palace and the Hermitage pavilion depart from the canal in different directions. The park is designed in the French style, which is also called regular. It is characterized by the presence of sculptures, pavilions and symmetry in the planning of alleys and green spaces. Gardeners planted a large number of trees and shrubs brought from all over Russia, combining the existing groves into a single complex.
Great cascade and fountains
The facade of the palace overlooking the sea harmoniously flows into the ledges of the Grand Cascade with a variety of fountains and sculptural compositions. Inspection of the fountain ensemble "The Grand Cascade" can be started by leaving the Great Peterhof Palace after the tour. The operation of the fountains changes annually,depending on weather conditions. Tentatively, the opening takes place at the end of April, and the grand closing of the season - in mid-September. Ticket prices range from 500 to 150 rubles. The cascade consists of two waterfall stairs, along which there are numerous sculptures of the Upper and Lower grottoes. Two powerful streams of water fall from the cascade into the bucket of the Sea Canal, where the central water cannon "Samson tearing the lion's mouth" is located. The fountain group includes eight dolphins and four lions located at the foot. With their jets they form a kind of wreath around Samson. Around the central composition there is a large number of fountains depicting fairy maidens, naiads, tritons, ancient Greek gods and heroes. It is impossible to describe more than 140 different sculpture fountains in a short review, so it is better to see them once.
Excursion to the Great Peterhof Palace and museums of Peterhof will not leave visitors indifferent, and cascades and fountains will be remembered for a lifetime.
