Who commissioned the Peterhof Palace and when was it built?
Peter the Great commissioned a palace complex in 1709 to rival the Palace of Versailles. He sought to expand the property after visiting the French royal court in 1717.
Questions about Peterhof Palace
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How does the water system work at Peterhof Palace without pumps?
Natural springs supply the system entirely through gravity while elevation differences create pressure that drives most fountains in the Lower Gardens. The Grand Cascade operates using these natural forces alone with sixty-four fountains existing within the cascade structure itself.
What happened to Peterhof Palace during World War II on the 23rd of September 1941?
German troops captured Peterhof on the 23rd of September 1941 and Soviet forces attempted to recapture the town on the 5th of October 1941 through naval landing. Five hundred ten marines landed on the beach of neighboring Alexandria Park under heavy fire but only one marine survived the water rescue attempt.
When did restoration work begin for Peterhof Palace after World War II ended in 1945?
Restoration work began almost immediately after World War II ended in 1945 and the Lower Park reopened to the public that same year. A replica of the stolen Samson Fountain statue appeared in 1947 before authorities renamed the site Petrodvorets in 1944 due to wartime anti-German sentiment.