Peterhof Palace
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. Domenico Trezzini served as the architect between 1714 and 1728. His style became the foundation for Petrine Baroque architecture throughout Saint Petersburg. Jean-Baptiste Le Blond designed the gardens in 1714. Le Blond likely worked with André Le Nôtre at Versailles before this project. Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli completed an expansion from 1747 to 1756 for Elizabeth of Russia. The site now stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Water flows into reservoirs in the Upper Gardens without pumps. Natural springs supply the system entirely through gravity. Elevation differences create pressure that drives most fountains in the Lower Gardens. The Grand Cascade operates using these natural forces alone. Sixty-four fountains exist within the cascade structure itself. A vertical jet reaches heights exceeding thirty meters from the Samson Fountain. This feature sits below an artificial grotto facing hewn brown stone inside and out. The water flows into a semicircular pool called the Sea Channel. It bisects the Lower Gardens directly beneath the bluff.
A sixteen-meter-high bluff lies less than one hundred meters from the shore. The Lower Gardens cover 1.02 square kilometers between this cliff and the sea. They stretch east and west for roughly two hundred meters. East of the gardens lies Alexandria Park with Gothic Revival structures like the Kapella. West of the Grand Palace stands Golden Mountain decorated with marble statuary. Chess Mountain features a black-and-white tiled surface resembling a chessboard. Adam and Eve fountains occupy prominent positions near the center. Monplaisir Palace was built between 1714 and 1723 based on Peter's own sketches. He chalked out both the site and interior layout himself before expanding plans further inland.
German troops captured Peterhof on the 23rd of September 1941. 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. The operation failed as most landing craft were sunk or missed their targets. Only one marine survived the water rescue attempt. Several dozen German Shepherd dogs searched hiding soldiers in the gardens. Many wounded men were mauled to death during hand-to-hand combat. Three-quarters of fountain sculptures remained in place when looting began. The Samson Fountain statue disappeared entirely from its pedestal during occupation.
Restoration work began almost immediately after World War II ended in 1945. The Lower Park reopened to the public that same year. A replica of the stolen Samson Fountain statue appeared in 1947. Authorities renamed the site Petrodvorets in 1944 due to wartime anti-German sentiment. The original name returned in 1997 under post-Soviet government rule. Employees saved only a portion of treasures before German invasion. Dismantling attempts buried some sculptures but left others exposed to destruction. The palace was partially exploded and left burning by occupying forces. Current restoration efforts continue to rebuild the damaged ensemble today.
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Common questions
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.
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.