Petrodvorets plan. Peterhof. Palace and park ensemble. Fountains “Marble Benches”

The lower park of Peterhof is part of the palace and park ensemble. The model for the park was the country residence of King Louis XIV in Versailles. The layout of the park is characterized by strict symmetry. The basis of its composition is the intersection of two alley systems.

The sea canal from the Grand Palace to the bay divides the park into eastern and western parts. Four alleys fan out from the Great Flower Gardens, located on both sides of the Sea Canal bucket. The eastern ones lead to the Monplaisir Palace, the western ones lead to the Hermitage Pavilion. Another system of alleys starts from the Marly Palace; three rays of roads go from it.

There are 4 cascades and more than 150 fountains in the Lower Park. The main fountain is the Grand Cascade with the magnificent Samson Fountain. In the ground floor at the foot of the cascade there are the “Bowls” and “Marble Benches” fountains. In the western part there are the “Orangereiny”, “Adam”, “Eve”, Roman fountains, “Sheaf”, “Bells” fountains, as well as the “Pyramid”, “Sun” fountains, the “Chess Mountain” cascade, and various joker fountains. In the eastern part of the park you can admire the “Lion” and “Golden Mountain” cascades; the “Favoritny”, “Whale”, “Menazhernye” fountains, and the “Kloshi” fountains are also of interest here.

Petrodvorets

“The Capital of Fountains” is also the name of Petrodvorets in Peterhof. On its territory there is a park ensemble of amazing beauty, a huge number of statues of ancient heroes made of gilding and marble, and, of course, numerous fountains. All this, combined with lush greenery, turns the suburb of the cultural capital into the most attractive excursion destination for tourists.

In good weather, it is better to come by train from the Baltic and sail on the Meteor to the Hermitage.

Alexander Park in Peterhof

To the south of the palace and park ensemble of Alexandria, on the other side of St. Petersburg Avenue, there is another landscape park - Alexandrovsky.

Its territory extends to the station square and occupies 144 hectares. In the 18th century, on the site of the park there was a Big, or Deer, menagerie, surrounded by a fence. In 1832–1836, according to the project of A.A. Menelas, I.I. Charlemagne garden master P.I. Erler drained the area, dug a picturesque artificial pond with winding banks and three islands, laid gravel roads, planted birch groves, groups of oaks, spruce and pine trees.

Peterhof architectural and park complex

Emperor Peter I conceived Peterhof as the most luxurious summer royal residence. And today, probably, there is no more magnificent architectural and park complex in our country than Peterhof. This park was supposed to eclipse, according to Peter's plan, all European analogues.

The Upper Garden covers an area of ​​15 hectares, and the Lower Park - 105 hectares - here is the largest complex of fountains in the world. The Sea Canal divides the Lower Park into two parts - eastern and western. In the eastern part there are the “Chess Mountain” cascade and two Roman fountains, in the western part there are the “Golden Mountain” cascade and two Menager fountains. The Grand Palace, made in the Baroque style, is considered a masterpiece of architecture. It forms a single ensemble with the Upper Garden and Lower Park. In addition, on the territory of the park there is the Tsaritsyn Pavilion, made in the image of the villas of ancient Pompeii, and the Holguin Pavilion - a three-story tower in the Neapolitan style protruding from the water. The Hermitage Pavilion is a small building that was once intended for family dinners. The main feature of the pavilion is the lifting table. The Monplaisir Palace is the most favorite building of Peter I - he personally chose the location for it and developed the building plan. Today, Monplaisir is one of the few buildings that have survived from those times and escaped reconstruction.

Today there are 21 museums on the territory of Peterhof.

Aviaries in the Lower Park

The enclosures are the only surviving wooden pavilions from the first quarter of the 18th century. They retained their original appearance, miraculously surviving during the Great Patriotic War.

The enclosures were created in 1722 according to the design of N. Michetti.

There are 2 enclosures in the park (the second one is near the Sun fountain).

In both Aviaries (bird houses) in the 18th century, in the summer, gilded copper cages with nightingales, thrushes, canaries, parrots, and hummingbirds were placed and hung.

Today there is a museum in the Aviaries, which is open from 10.30 to 17.30 daily.

Alexandria Park

Alexandria Park is a city park in Peterhof, dedicated to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Nicholas I. The area of ​​the park is 115 hectares.

The park consists of coastal and upper terraces, on which architectural landmarks are built: the Cottage, the Chapel and the Farmers' Palace. The park harmoniously alternates between glades and hills, a deep ravine and gentle slopes, narrow paths and wide shady alleys.

Englishman Adam Menelas supervised the construction work in the park. Gardeners Rodionov, Erler, Wendelsdorf, and Gombel also worked on the park.

The park is home to oaks, maples, lindens, poplars, and trees from Kyrgyzstan, Siberia, the Far East and Europe.

Sights of Peterhof

The sound of water is mesmerizing. As they say, you can look at the water endlessly. The fountains of Peterhof are an impressive combination of human labor and natural elements. It is not surprising that this vacation spot is one of the most popular among tourists in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. I dedicate this post to the Lower Park of Peterhof, where most of the fountains are located.

On a note

• Of course, it’s better to go here on a sunny day, when the gold will shine in all its glory and the splashes of water will look most impressive in the rays of light. However, keep in mind that the fountains turn off at 18:00 on weekdays, an hour later on weekends, so you shouldn’t rely too much on the “golden hour” to take beautiful photos.
• There are a lot of people here! If you have the opportunity, come on a day other than the weekend, otherwise it will be difficult for you to find a place among the huge number of tourists, and you will have to stand in a long line to get into the park. We went on a weekday, however notice how many people are in the photos. The peak of the influx of tourists is June-July. And also, don’t be lazy to get up early, the fountains open from 10 am.

How to get there from St. Petersburg

By bus, minibus

The easiest way, in my opinion, is to take a bus or minibus from the Avtovo metro station. Buses No. 200 and 210 and minibuses No. 224, 300, 424, 424-A run here. A bus ride will cost 65 rubles, and students with BSC do not need to pay. The minibus is a little more expensive, 70 rubles, but it’s also about 10 minutes faster. Without traffic jams, the bus takes about 40 minutes; the minibus can get there in half an hour if you’re lucky.

Minibuses also run from the metro station "Leninsky Prospekt" (No. 103, 224, 420), from "Prospekt Veteranov" (No. 343, 639-b), from "Baltiyskaya" (404).

The stop is located at the Upper Garden, entrance to which is free. It is also beautiful here and worth a walk. The territory, however, is small. I especially liked the plants that were shaped into balls. In general, landscape designers do a great job here. The Lower Park is located between the Grand Palace and the bay. The ticket office and the entrance to the Lower Park are located on the left side of the palace if we are facing it.

By train

There is a train from the Baltic Station to the New Peterhof station. Trains in the direction of Oranienbaum, Kalishche and Lebyazhye are suitable for us. The ticket price is about 60 rubles, and the travel time is approximately 40 minutes.

In this case, I do not recommend taking the train. Only if there are traffic jams on the roads, and you can get stuck for a long time, then you can use railway transport. The main disadvantage of this method is that you will have to take a bus from the station. You can, of course, walk there, but if you came to see the fountains, it’s not worth it. We didn't have enough day to see everything. The so-called “troika” buses are suitable: No. 344, No. 348, No. 350, No. 351, No. 352, No. 355, No. 356. We go to the stop Pravlenskaya street. The conductor usually tells you when to get off. About 10 minutes in time.

By car

The route by car is quite simple, you need to follow the St. Petersburg Highway to the Upper Garden, and behind it, judging by the map, there are more or less spacious parking lots. I don't have a car, so I won't give any advice here. As tourists write, you shouldn’t leave your car in unauthorized places - it will be quickly picked up by a tow truck.

On a meteor

There is another, fast and interesting, but quite expensive, way to get to Peterhof. These are the so-called “meteors”, which are also called “rockets”. Meteors depart from the Palace Bridge and the Hermitage. The cost of one-way tickets is 750 rubles, round trip – 1300. For privileged categories of citizens (students, pensioners, disabled people, veterans) 500 and 900 rubles, for children 3-12 years old – 400 and 700 rubles, respectively. Children under three years old travel free of charge. Prices may vary slightly as travel is carried out by different companies. In normal mode meteors typically travel every half hour, about the same travel time. Please note that, like any water transport, rockets to Peterhof are dependent on the weather. High waves can be dangerous for ships and passengers, so if there are strong winds, flights may be delayed or even cancelled.

About the Lower Park of Peterhof

The history of the Lower Park is inextricably linked with the history of Peterhof. Sometimes Peterhof is called Petrodvorets. This was the name of the city from 1944 to 1997. Both names indicate that its history is connected with the name I. Construction of the imperial estate began here in the 1710s. Before this, Peterhof was used as a pier for moving to Kotlin Island, where Kronshdadt is located.

Over the course of 10 years, most of the buildings in the Lower Park were built, as well as a system of fountains. Construction was carried out according to the drawings and drawings of the king, who learned a lot from the countryside royal residences of Europe. Foreign architects also worked on the creation of the palace and park ensemble. And the water supply system, the total length of which, by the way, is 40 km, was created according to the design of engineer V. Tuvolkov. Perhaps such a scale of construction was influenced by victories over Swedish troops. And Luxurious Peterhof became a symbol of Russian power. In 1723 Peterhof, which means “Peter’s Court,” was inaugurated.

The city slowly grew, but after the death of I it was forgotten for some time. After 5 years, construction resumed on the initiative of Anna Ioannovna.

A new stage in the development of the ensemble occurred during the reign of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, under whom Peterhof acquired an even more solemn appearance. Rastrelli supervised the construction.

There were some changes under Catherine II. And in 1857, under Emperor Alexander II, a railway was opened connecting the imperial residence with St. Petersburg.

In 1918 the area became a museum. The park suffered setbacks. The fountain system was poorly maintained and a flood nearly destroyed it. Work began on restoration, but the park was destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. Restoration began as soon as the opportunity arose.

Today it is a popular destination for tourists who want to admire the beauty of the fountains. The lower park stretches along the coast of the Gulf of Finland for 2 km, and its area is slightly more than 100 hectares (1 square kilometer). There are about 150 fountains, many sculptures and plants. The Lower Park is part of the Peterhof State Museum-Reserve, and in 1990 the ensemble was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

Fountains and other attractions of the Lower Park

There are interesting objects at every step in the Lower Park, I’ll try to systematize them. I repeat that it is worth setting aside a whole day for a walk. We, of course, did so, but did not have time to catch some of the fountains in working form. I'll tell you what we remember. I'm sure you will discover something new for yourself. It’s better to open the map in full size if you want to study it in more detail. Although even from this picture it is clear which parts of the park have more fountains.

Let's start with the central part, which opens before us from the heights of the Upper Garden. The view is impressive! Lots of fountains, beautiful lawns and trees. You can walk along the terrace and admire the fountains from above, and from here you have a view of the Big Samsonovsky Canal, behind which is the blue bay.

On the way to the center of the composition, we came to the Sand Pond, in the center of which, of course, there is a fountain called "Whale", since previously a stream came from the head of a whale fish, but the sculpture has not been preserved. But in the pond there live real fish, willingly eating the treats of tourists, although it seems that feeding the fish is prohibited.

On the way to the Grand Cascade we pass by the Bolshoi "Italian" fountain, which was clearly visible from above. The same, only Big "French" the fountain is on the other side of the center.

And now we come to the famous Great Cascade, which can be called the calling card of Peterhof. It is worthy of a separate post, since there are many fountains, sculptures, and a lot of other interesting things. The grandeur of the structure is impressive, but the sound of the water is drowned out by the voices of tourists. Sunlit fountains look very impressive against the background of stone grotto, which also has excursions inside. In fact, this is a separate topic, but I recommend visiting there and seeing the work of the fountains, so to speak, from the inside. In fact, what kind of system is hidden from us underground! The fountains of the Grand Cascade are launched daily at 11.00.

The main figure of the Grand Cascade is Samson fountain. The sculptural group with the hero tearing the mouth of a lion was installed in honor of the victory over the Swedes on the day of St. Sampson the Host.

Behind the Great Cascade there is a palace and a church adding to the splendor, and in front of it - Grand Canal With fountain alley, leading to the bay. They serve as a kind of gate Voronikhinsky colonnades to the right and left of the channel. In general, there is a lot of symmetry in the park. From the bridges across the canal you can enjoy a classic view of the central composition of the park.

If you go straight along the canal, we will come out to Petrodvortsovaya Harbor, where the meteors arrive. And from here you can see the dome of the Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt! By the way, about the sea. Here on the shore is Museum "Imperial Yachts", dedicated to the history of the Baltic and Neva fleets. The shore is not so crowded, and you can take a short break.

Where to eat

In case you get really hungry, there is food in the park. The menu consists of three sections. The most budget-friendly is the “Tourist menu. Bistro”, where for a minimum of 450 rubles you can pack a lunch for one of salad, soup, hot food and a drink. In general, the place is far from cheap. As those who dined here write, the check automatically includes 10% of the cost of the order for service.

In the eastern part of the park there is also a restaurant “Big Orangery”. Prices are approximately the same as in Shtandart.

For those who didn’t come here to dine, there is usually a summer cafe near the bay. Here you can snack on fast food or cool off with ice cream. However, taking advantage of the fact that you can’t re-enter the park with one ticket, and tourists want to eat, the park’s cafes and restaurants greatly inflate their prices.

We, as a rule, take food with us from home, which is what I recommend. If the weather is good, it's great to have a snack on the bayside. Don't forget to stock up on water in advance. And in cold weather, tea from a thermos will warm you up.

Stands on the coast Monplaisir Palace, which translates from French as “my pleasure.” In general, the word palace is associated with something grandiose, rich, and decorated with gold. Monplaisir seemed quite cozy to me. This low building does not look too pretentious; it does not have the pomp inherent in many palaces.

And behind the building it’s beautiful garden with fountains and sculptures. By the way, the white and blue vases are very similar to those in the Summer Garden of St. Petersburg. This place is also associated with Peter I; here is his summer house, one of the first buildings in the city.

Not far from the palace we found fountain "Sun". It is interesting not only because of its shape, but also because it is a mechanical fountain. Actually, what it is: hidden in the pedestal is a water wheel that rotates under the influence of water. The rotation is transmitted to the column, and the “solar” disk slowly rotates. In fact, fountains have some kind of eye-catching power. You look, look, and then you involuntarily rejoice when the “Sun” turns towards you.

There is another mechanical one in Peterhof fountain "Favorite", and we missed it. It is located behind the western Voronikhinsky colonnade, so don’t forget to look there. By the way, the fountain also quacks and barks, but I won’t reveal all the secrets)

Another interesting type of fountains is the joker fountains, beloved by children (and not only others). This kind of fun was common in the West in the 17th-18th centuries. The fountains suddenly turn on and refresh the vacationers with water (or douse them, depending on your luck). Such entertainment in Peterhof is located along Monplaisir Alley. These are the fountains “Sofas”, “Oak”, “Umbrella” (or “Mushroom”), “Fir-trees” and “Water Road”, which turns on every day at 13.00, 14.00 and 15.00 for 1 minute. The remaining fountains work frequently.

On a note

• If you are traveling with children, they will probably want to have fun, and, of course, they will get wet. It is better to take spare clothes than to forbid your child to run among the fountains and feel like their master.
• Bring a light jacket with you, this applies not only to children. There can be wind on the bay, especially in the evening.

Along the Monplaisir Alley we come out into a beautiful area with Roman fountains, “Chess Mountain” and an abundance of flowers. Name "Roman" fountains received because they resemble the stone water cannons on the Saint's Square in Rome. This type of two-tier fountains was common in the 18th century. But even today they delight with their beauty. Some of my favorites.

Cascade "Chess Mountain" itself did not impress me so much (by the way, it is also called the “Dragon Cascade” because of the figures of dragons installed on the top of the mountain. Statues of ancient gods decorate the sides of the cascade, and there are also stairs here that you can climb up.

The view from above is very beautiful. We wanted to get a better look at it from the lawn, but a security guard quickly noticed us and asked us not to walk on the lawns. So be careful, it seems like you can be fined. In general, the park is very clean and well-groomed, it’s a pleasure to the eye.

The last fountain that we found in working order is "Pyramid"– the most abundant water in the Lower Park. This is 505 jets creating a water cloud in the form of a cascade. The first word that came to my mind when I saw the fountain was “fluffy.” Thanks to the fine spray and dense arrangement of the jets, it looks like a soft cloud.

The easternmost fountain of the Lower Park is "Labyrinth" It is interesting not so much for the fountain itself, but for the shape of the plantings around it. Actually, the path itself is quite simple, but children will probably find it interesting to run around here. However, the green fence around the plants still spoils the view, in my opinion. But without her there would be no labyrinth. In the pond we also met cute ducks with ducklings. By the way, for some reason it is not marked with a circle on the map, although its outlines are already visible.

As for the western part of the park, it is smaller. She is famous Palace of Marly and the surrounding ponds and gardens. The building itself is small, and, like the Monplaisir Palace, without unnecessary pomp.

The cascades are known from the fountains of this part. "Golden Mountain" is a large staircase with gilded steps. Thanks to this technique, an interesting play of light and water is created.

"Lion Cascade" decorated with bronze sculptures of lions. This is the only cascade in the park, located not on a slope. Previously at this place was The Hermitage Cascade, destroyed during the war, so called because of its close location to pavilion "Hermitage", which stands on the shore of the bay.

With this, I think I will finish the description of the attractions of the Lower Park. I think everyone will find a fountain to their liking here. But each of them is beautiful and interesting in its own way.

Opening hours and cost

Now about when to go and how much money to take.
Fountains, as you know, do not work in winter. The opening and closing of the season is celebrated a ceremony with fireworks, which takes place at the end of May. in 2016 the expected date is May 21. But the fountains themselves will start working earlier - at the end of April.

The closing of the fountains is also accompanied by a festive show and usually takes place on the third weekend of September.

Entrance to the park is free out of season and open from 9:00 to 19:00.

In 2016, during the fountain season, the fountains are fully operational. ticket price to Nizhny Park for Russian citizens 450 rubles, discount ticket 250 rubles.

But for foreign citizens prices are higher. 700 and 350 rubles respectively.

Opening hours of the Lower Park

From Monday to Friday and Sunday, the Lower Park is open from 9:00 to 20:00.

Saturday 9:00 to 21:00. Ticket sales end half an hour before closing.

Fountain opening hours

On weekdays the fountains are open from 10:00 to 18:00.

On Saturday until 20:50.

On Sundays and holidays until 19.00.

Ticket prices and opening hours can be found at website Peterhof. Here you need to select the object you are interested in and click “Opening hours and prices”. Please note that the cost for foreigners is shown there by default. To view prices for citizens of our country and Belarus, you need to click “For tax residents of the Russian Federation and Belarus.” If you want to visit museums, check if the day of your trip falls on a weekend. As a rule, this is Monday. It is logical to assume that there will be fewer people on this day.

Anything to add?

Dates of formation of the ensemble: 1714 - 1723,

Architects: Johann Friedrich Braunstein (years of life unknown), Jean-Baptiste Leblon (1679-1719), N. Michetti (1675-59), Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli (1700-1771), Andrei Nikiforovich Voronikhin (1759-1814), Andrei Ivanovich Stackenschneider (1802-1865).

Garden masters: L. Garnihfelt, A. Borisov, B. Fok, T. Timofeev.

Park area - 102.5 hectares

The lower park was created on the model of regular gardens and retained all the features of its French originals. Although many decorative elements have disappeared by now, time has not been able to destroy the marvelous architectural harmony of the garden created by J.-B. Leblond, a talented student of the creator of the Versailles gardens A. Le Nôtre. The park is divided into three interconnected parts: central (Paradnaya), western (Marlinskaya) and eastern (Monplaisir).

The layout of the Lower Park is determined by two systems of alleys, fanning out from the Grand Palace and the Marly Palace. The layout scheme is thought out so deeply that not a single garden decoration or detail is hidden from the eyes of guests. Each alley ends with either a palace or a fountain. A regular park is characterized by a symmetrical arrangement of its main structures. On the slopes of the hill there are cascades - “Big” (in the central part, at the foot of the ceremonial palace), “Chess Mountain” (in the eastern part) and “Golden Mountain” (in the western part). In front of each of them there are paired fountains: “Bowls”, “Roman”, “Menazhernye”. Only one of the four cascades of the Lower Park is located in the parterre - this is the latest in creation, the “Lion” cascade, but it is it that completes the embodiment of Peter’s idea embedded in the composition of the park: each palace and pavilion has its own cascade.

The park, with an area of ​​112.5 hectares, is decorated with about 150 fountains, including the “Oak”, “Umbrella”, “Fir-trees”, “Water Road” and “Sofas” firecrackers so beloved by children and adults.

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 called “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 slope of a hill, 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-joke "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 refer to the “Water 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 can 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

The artistic designs of sculptors and architects with the ingenious discoveries and technical solutions of hydraulic engineers, who created an architectural and park ensemble that is amazing in its execution, are surprisingly intertwined. For centuries, the palaces and parks of Peterhof have amazed the imagination of visiting guests and tourists.

Among the many beautiful palace parks, Peterhof stands out for its unique fountain structures. They are amazing not only as unique objects of world art and architecture. Each contains an original engineering solution and is endowed with some clever feature.

History of Peterhof fountains

When considering plans for the construction of a new palace, Emperor Peter wanted to express all the power and greatness of his country. His grandiose plan to make Russia an indestructible maritime power was reflected in the victories of the Russian fleet. The apartments under construction had to worthily represent the indestructible country not only on land, but also at sea.

There are currently 150 fountains on the territory of the State Museum of the Reserve

By order of Peter, the Peterhof water pipeline was laid. Through the constructed water supply system, about 20 km long, Ropsha glacial waters rushed down. The width of the conduit exceeded 6 meters, and the depth was 2 meters. The natural difference in heights made it possible not to use pumps.

Interesting fact! The famous Versailles fountains at that time could work uninterruptedly for 4 hours. The features of the relief allowed the Grand Cascade not only to work around the clock, but also to surpass the French structures in height.

Gilded statues shining in the rays of the sun, naiads, dolphins and newts emitting water, water cannons raising their streams along the canal - all this pleases the eye, creates a special solemn mood and gives the traveler the hope of definitely returning to this amazing place again.

The Grand Palace is framed by the greenery of the park and the golden statues of the Grand Cascade

Fountains of Peterhof

Summer is the best time to walk through the parks of Peterhof. As the season begins, visitors can see the fountain ceremony.

Attention! The fountains of the Grand Cascade are ceremonially turned on every day at 11 am.

All park fountains are turned off in the evening at 7 p.m., and the Grand Cascade is closed to the public. The rules are valid from April 28 to October 14.

The opening and closing of fountains in Peterhof is considered a holiday

Visitors should be aware that parks close later than the fountains.

Grand Cascade in Peterhof

This grandiose structure was built together with the Grand Palace and was officially opened in 1723. According to Peter's idea, the cascade was supposed to become an allegorical embodiment of the power of the Russian state on the world political arena.

After the death of the emperor, on the orders of his daughter Elizaveta Petrovna, the architect Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli decorated the Grand Cascade with a sculptural group with a statue of Samson in the center.

"Samson Tearing the Lion's Mouth"

This is the name of the sculptural composition that was erected in memory of the great Russian battles and glorious victories. The opening was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Battle of Poltava, which became decisive in the outcome of the Northern War. The architect compared Peter I with the mighty Samson, meaning by the defeated lion Sweden, whose state emblem was decorated with the image of this beast.

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, if possible, they tried to dismantle the sculptures that decorated the cascade and the large canal and bury them in hidden corners of the outskirts of Peterhof.

Lack of time and Samson’s particularly large dimensions did not allow him to be treated in the same way as with other statues. By the time of the occupation, he remained standing on his three-meter pedestal. In photographs taken by German officers against the backdrop of the Grand Palace, it was clearly visible. However, by the time Peterhof was liberated by Soviet troops, the statue had disappeared without a trace.

Petrodvorets and the fountains of the Grand Cascade are decorated with 225 marble, lead and bronze sculptures.

The loss was too great for it to be possible to come to terms with it. Restorers made every effort to restore the lost relic. Already in 1947, the statue took its usual place.

Interesting fact! Despite the fact that the date of transportation of the Samson statue from St. Petersburg to Petrodvorets was not announced anywhere, many jubilant citizens came out to meet it. Apparently, at the behest of their hearts, people met what seemed to be an eternally lost symbol of victory in a terrible and unjust war.

Fountains "cracker" in Peterhof

Between the steps of the Grand Cascade there is a cave grotto. A favorite place to escape the summer midday heat for the owners of Peterhof and their guests. Today's visitors can plunge into the era of Peter the Great by visiting the museum exhibition “Grottoes of the Grand Cascade”. Guests' attention is attracted by the dining table, deliciously served with fruit. It’s hard to guess that a bowl of fruit is a well-decorated fountain that can splash any visitor who reaches for a treat. Made for fun, a joke, it is called “cracker”.

In different, sometimes completely unexpected park areas, “crackers” make unlucky visitors who have swum in their streams and streams squeal and laugh loudly.

“Sofas” warmly invite you to relax, but when you try to get closer, they drench tired passers-by from head to toe

The “water road”, known in Peter’s times, has today lost the effect of surprise. It works in precise schedule mode. Kids and the older generation enjoy coming to other “crackers”: “Umbrella”, “Oak Tree”, “Christmas Trees”, “Favorite”. The “cracker” fountains fill the park ensemble with noisy fun and turn centuries-old museum exhibits into real attractions of modern reality.

Attention! The Water Road fountain turns on 3 times a day at 13, 14 and 15 hours and splashes for just a few minutes.

"Chess Mountain" in Peterhof

This is another fountain cascade located in the eastern part of the park. Initially, Peter planned to call this fountain “Ruin”. The name was supposed to evoke associations with the Swedish fortresses defeated by the Russian army. Time has made its own adjustments. In the changed design, dragons appeared, attracting attention with their deliberately bright colors. Along with them, a new name appeared - “Dragon Mountain”. Later, the cascade began to be called the “Checkerboard Slide” for its drain steps painted in a checkerboard pattern.

Fountain "Chess Hill"

Peterhof water conduit

Operating without a single pump, the fountains amaze with the variety of their engineering systems. For example, the most water-rich of the structures, “Pyramid,” consumes 100 liters per second, but “managerial” fountains, with a visible abundance of jets, consume a minimal amount of water, thereby justifying their “economical” name.

The fountains of the Upper Park serve as storage tanks, accumulating in which water creates powerful pressure necessary for the operation of the fountain structures of the Lower Park.

How to get there

To see these, as well as many other fountains with your own eyes, it is better to plan an excursion to the State Museum-Reserve from early spring to mid-autumn.

You can first clarify the information you are interested in on the official website, which states:

• address of the reserve museum;
• cost of tickets for excursions and museums;
• possibility of free entry into the park;
• existing benefits, seasonal discounts and subscriptions;
• opening hours of the reserve museum;
• maps and diagrams of the location of fountains in palace parks;
• rental of recreational bicycles, catamarans and boats;
• services provided to visitors with limited mobility (entrance equipped with a ramp, wheelchair rental);
• ordering and issuing tickets online (how many pieces can be purchased in one order, exchanging an electronic voucher for an entrance ticket, refund);
• excursions to Peterhof fountains cost.

On the site you can get acquainted with cultural news, read messages about festive events, concerts and performances held at the State Museum, learn about permanent exhibitions and temporary exhibitions.

The fountains of Peterhof, conceived and built in honor of military feats, have survived more than one generation of their royal patrons. For centuries they served as a monument to the skill of the architects and engineers who created them. Having been revived after the horrors of the Second World War, the fountains now also glorify this great Victory, and with it the amazing modern masters who gave the fountains a second birth.