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Peterhof Palace and Gardens

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barbara
barbara
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Breathtaking Grounds

  • November 9, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Fula97 from brooklyn, New York
Breathtaking Grounds

This was part of a 14 hour tour that we did as an excursion booked by the cruise ship. This is a display of all the former Russian wealth and extravagant, lavish living at its finest.

While the interiors of the Palace are extravagant and over the top and well worth a visit the grounds are what I found most impressive. Russian palaces are full of glitz and gold and French influences filled with marble flooring, and gold inlay. However after going from room to room filled with people it begins to wear on you. Then you step outside or look outside the windows and view all of the glorious fountains and grounds and your heart starts to beat faster in anticipation. The gardens at Peterof will not disappoint.

I could have wandered the grounds for hours and not have been bored. Some of the must sees are the Grand Cascade, the Samson and the Lion fountain, Triton Fountain, and the Chessboard.

If possible go a little later in the day after the cruise groups are gone and make sure you set aside time to walk the gardens

From journal Cruising the Baltic High Seas

The Park Surrounding Peterhof Palace Was Our Next Stop

  • May 17, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by NiceGinna from Evanston, Illinois
The Park Surrounding Peterhof Palace Was Our Next Stop

Peterhof Palace, built in the early 1700’s and one of the oldest palaces in the area, is surrounded by a 2,500 acre Park. The Palace was, again, designed by Rastrelli. Sadly, we were too early for the many fountains to be working but we could see how stunning they would be. There are golden statues leading down a waterfall, called the Great Cascade, to a canal that runs out to the Gulf of Finland. Samson, the symbol of Peterhof, is the main statue in the fountain. We passed by the Orangerie and another fountain, this time of Triton. We walked to the small favorite palace of Peter the Great, Mon Plaisir, flanked by Catherine’s yellow palace and the boathouse.

From journal Cruise to the Baltic States and St. Petersburg

Editor Pick

Peterhof

  • August 23, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by suartd from Airdrie, United Kingdom
Peterhof

Peterhof was my favourite part of my trip to St Petersburg. There is a grand palace surrounded by the most magnificent gardens I have ever seen. There are over 140 waterfalls and fountains in the gardens, with each of them different so exploring them all is very good fun. There are always people in the fountains cooling off in the water or playing around. This is not strictly allowed, but it is all in good fun.

If you get sick of the gardens and fountains, you can explore the palace as some rooms are open for visitors. Also, there is a beach directly in front of Peterhof, so a whole day could be spent there relaxing and having fun. Everyone can have a great day at Peterhof, and you get the most amazing postcard-like photos from there.

From journal Weekend Trip to St Petersburg

Peterhof Palace and Gardens

  • July 7, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Wasatch from heber ctity, Utah
Peterhof, the Tsar’s summer place on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, is about 15 miles west of St
Petersburg. Peterhof consists of 7-8 palaces and churches set in a large park, English garden on the ocean
side of the Great Palace, a French garden on the other side. Our tour took us through Catherine Palace (not
to be confused with THE Catherine Palace in the town of Pushkin), because, according to the guide, there
was not enough time to tour the Great Palace. In addition, we saw the Great Cascade and the English
garden with its fountains and follies. If I had to do over, I would leave the tour and go through the Great
Palace and visit the Grand Cascade, which is next to the Great Palace. Catherine’s Palace was too modest.
I’d rather see the Grand Palaces ostentatious display of gold and velvet.

Restoration of WWII damage to the Grand Palace is only about half finished. By contrast, there was no
damage or looting of the palace after the Communist Revolution because the revolutionary government
quickly declared Russians great historic buildings and museums to be protected property, to preserve the
nation’s heritage, but I suspect it more to have the Tsar’s extravagance on hand to show to the common
folks to justify the revolution.

The star of the show is the Grand Cascade, with its gold plated fountains on the Gulf of Finland side of the
Grand Palace. There are a number of other fountains and flower gardens scattered around the park.

This Catherine Palace has a number of small richly decorated, but by Tsarist standards, far from elaborate,
rooms.

Restrooms are in and around the parking lot, 10 rubles.

From journal Three Days in St. Petersburg

Editor Pick

Peterhof, via hydrofoil

  • October 31, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by akakd from , Arizona
Peterhof, via hydrofoil

Located just 19 miles west of St. Petersburg, 30 minutes by hydrofoil from the Hermitage, is Peter the Great's palace complex reminiscent of Versailles. Construction began at Peterhof in 1704. It is said to be "especially evocative of the turbulent, highly creative age of Peter the Great". The centrepiece of the Great Cascade in front of the palace is the Samson Fountain to commemorate the Russian victory over the Swedes on St. Samson's Day in 1709. Numerous fountains are found on the complex, the ones near the little palace of Monplaisir ("My Pleasure") are trick fountains that spray you w/ water if you sit on a particular bench or stand on a particular stone. In addition to the Great Cascade, my favorite fountains were the Neptune Fountain, Revolving Sun Fountain, & trick Oak Fountain. Allow the better part of a day to explore Peterhof. Restaurants, cafes on site.

From journal St. Petersburg--A Window on Europe

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