What is Peterhof? State Museum-Reserve: a description of how to get there

Probably, the title of our article will be puzzled by many readers. The question of what "Peterhof" is, for someone, will seem strange. After all, the delightful palace and park complex, located in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, is known all over the world.

"Peterhof" is a symbol of the Russian imperial scope and refined taste. An exquisite pearl of Russian baroque, which is often called "Russian Versailles", a city of palaces and fountains - so describe Peterhof all who once managed to visit here.

The former residence of the Romanovs' Imperial House today continues its life as a unique palace ensemble of "Peterhof", an amazing museum-preserve with its history. Every year millions of tourists come here from all corners of the earth to see beautiful parks and gardens, majestic palaces and amazing fountains and cascades that have glorified this place to the whole world.

Petergof

This is a Russian city, which is a municipal entity that is part of the St. Petersburg Petrodvorets district. Peterhof is located in the south of the Gulf of Finland. Today it is a large scientific, educational and tourist center, located west of St. Petersburg.

The city of Peterhof was founded in 1710 as an imperial country residence. The status of the city he received in 1762. It is here that the priceless monument of palace and park art, the museum-reserve "Peterhof" is located.

Palace and park complex

In order to understand what "Peterhof" is, you need to plunge into the history of its creation. The appearance of this miracle is due to the Russian Emperor Peter I, who personally developed the most complicated water conduit systems.

The park begins at the Great Peterhof Palace. Here is the famous Grand Cascade. He and other fountains of the complex are dedicated to the victory of Russian troops in the Northern War - an important moment in the history of Russia, which made it an Empire. Initially in Peterhof was the residence of the imperial family, but after the revolution of 1917, all the buildings were given the status of museums.

Uneasy times in the history of the palace and park complex came during the Second World War. In these terrible years, it was almost destroyed by the enemy's artillery. Only thanks to the titanic efforts of the museum staff it was possible to take out about 8 thousand elements of palace interiors and fifty statues, which at that time was a small part of the untold treasures of Peterhof.

Revival of the complex

Restoring the ensemble "Peterhof" became immediately after the Great Victory (1945). Restoration continues to this day. The lower park was opened for visits in 1945, and a year later the surviving fountains were restored. Sasson's fountain was re-imaged in 1947. It must be said that the original sculpture was so beautiful that even the fascists did not dare to destroy it - they just took it to Germany.

The restoration of the Grand Palace in Peterhof began in 1952. Twelve years later (1964), the first halls of the restored museum received visitors.

Grand Palace

According to experts, this is the most outstanding construction of the Peterhof ensemble. The majestic building proudly towers over the leading cascade to the park. The very first construction began to be built on this place in 1714. It was built in the style of the Petrine Baroque. The works were completed in 1925. Then the palace in Peterhof was completed in the style of a mature baroque.

Park area

The park zone of the complex is divided into Lower and Upper Parks, where there are complexes of fountains, which are equal in number and beauty in the world. The lower park occupies one hundred and two hectares. It is fed by a water pipeline, a length of twenty-two kilometers. It originates from springs (underground) near Ropsha. From the Lower Park the palace is separated by the Grand Cascade. In the center of this grand design is the Samson fountain. Its stream rushes upwards by 20 meters, and on its two sides are located the French and Italian "fountains." Colonnades stand behind them, and we will talk more about this park later.

Upper Garden

This garden is located on the opposite side of the Great Palace above the slope. It occupies a relatively small area (in comparison with the Lower Park). This is a rectangle on three sides surrounded by a fence, which was created by Bartolomeo Rastrelli (XVII century).

The main feature of the Upper Garden is the ideal symmetry. The water of the five fountains feeds the Great Cascade. In the center are fountains Mezhemumny, Oak, Neptune. Two more structures are installed opposite the Petrodvorets wings, located on the side of the building.

The dominant feature of the Upper Park is the Neptune fountain. It is decorated with numerous medieval sculptures. The beautiful ornamentation of the Upper Park was the four marble sculptures of the Italian J. Bonazzza, which were installed in 1757 - Pomona, Zephyr, Vertum and Flora.

Lower park

This park is known all over the world due to the location of the most outstanding sculptures, fountains and architectural monuments. The prototype for the creation of the Lower Park was Versailles. It was from here that strict symmetry, an unusual form of bushes and trees, a lot of pavilions and sculptures was borrowed.

In the Lower Park there are several self-sufficient architectural and park ensembles with fountains and palaces. In the center of the main one is the Grand Palace and the cascade. A large greenhouse, the palaces of Marley and Monplaisir are the centers of the remaining ensembles.

The park grows trees brought from different regions of Russia and from abroad. The best flower gardens in the world were broken by the most eminent masters. It should be noted that the parks of Peterhof have always been carefully taken care of, so today everyone has the opportunity to take a walk in the parks created in the 18th century and appreciate the beauty of the flower gardens decorated in the style of that time.

After the Second World War the Lower Park was recreated literally bit by bit. The trees were re-planted, flower gardens were restored. Restoration has not yet been fully completed and continues to this day.

Features of Peterhof fountains

The palace and park complex is visited by all tourists who come to St. Petersburg. "Peterhof" is included in all excursion routes. The fountains of this ensemble have their own characteristics, which essentially distinguish them from the Versailles. These grandiose designs work without the use of pumps and other water-pressure mechanisms. Water is supplied to fountains from numerous artificial and natural ponds, which are fed by underground springs.

First, the great reformer Peter I planned to build the Great Cascade and a few smaller fountains. He thought that the water in them would come from the ponds of the Upper Garden. But soon the indefatigable emperor, personally exploring the area, discovered additional sources of water. As it turned out, they abounded in the neighborhood of Peterhof Park. The special nature of the relief made it possible to build an original system of water conduits: water flowed along them by gravity from dozens of ponds.

As a result, 4 cascades and 191 Peterhof fountains feed the reservoirs of the Ropshinskaya Upland, which is located at a distance of twenty-four kilometers. In addition, the water system of the ensemble involved Lugovoy, English, Holguin and other ponds (total 18) and many sources and streams. All of them are connected by a complex system of channels and locks. Their total length is forty kilometers. It's amazing, but the water conduit system planned under Peter the Great is still valid today.

Closure of fountains in Peterhof

Everyone who attended this extraordinary event assures us that nothing more impressive has ever been seen.

Knowing what Peterhof is, you will not be surprised to learn that this is one of the most popular sights of Petersburg. The most important miracle of the complex is undoubtedly its extraordinary fountains, located throughout the park. To see and understand this Russian miracle, thousands of professionals and tourists from all over the world come here every year.

Fountains pleases the eye of visitors all summer, but the brightest events in the park are opening and closing them in Peterhof. Fountains open in the early spring and close in the fall. These are always very bright and memorable events, accompanied by military parades and musical performances. Usually this is a light show. In addition, a small musical accompaniment is always present at the daily opening of the fountains (at 11 o'clock).

In 2015, the closing of the fountains in Peterhof took place on 11 and 12 September. These days everyone could see a grandiose laser show with fireworks, fireworks, etc. Everyone who has been lucky enough to see the opening or closing of fountains at least once in his life thinks that this is a fantastic sight. Sometimes all this seems so unreal, that you feel yourself in a fairy tale.

How to get there

You can use the train, which departs from the Baltic Station. They leave at intervals of about 60 minutes. The road to the station "New Peterhof" will take approximately 30 minutes.

If you decide to go by minibus, then you should know that they stop at the metro station "Avtovo" or "Baltiyskaya". Marshrutka No. 424.

We hope that those who did not know what Peterhof is after reading this article received minimal information about the city and the museum complex. Nevertheless, we want to assure you that no article and no photos will be able to convey all the splendor of this place. Therefore, if you happen to come to St. Petersburg (St. Petersburg), Peterhof, visit necessarily.