Location: Leningrad Oblast Map
Constructed: 1714
Peterhof Palace, also known as Petrodvorets, is a magnificent
imperial estate located on the southern shore of the Gulf of
Finland, approximately 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Saint
Petersburg, Russia. Often dubbed the "Russian Versailles," it
comprises a series of palaces, expansive gardens, and an intricate
system of fountains that symbolize Russia's 18th-century push toward
European grandeur and modernization. Founded by Peter the Great in
the early 1700s, the complex spans about 3,934 hectares and was
designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 for its cultural and
architectural significance. Today, it operates as the Peterhof State
Museum-Reserve, attracting millions of visitors annually to its
restored Baroque splendor.
Origins and Founding
The origins of Peterhof trace back to
Peter the Great (Peter I), who founded it in 1709 as a modest
country habitation during Russia's modernization efforts in the
early 18th century. This period coincided with the end of the Great
Northern War (1700–1721), which culminated in the Treaty of Nystad
in 1721, granting Russia access to the Baltic Sea through the Neva
River and Gulf of Finland. Peter's vision was deeply influenced by
his 1717 visit to the Palace of Versailles in France, prompting him
to transform Peterhof into a grand complex emulating French royal
grandeur. The site was strategically chosen on a 16-meter-high bluff
less than 100 meters from the shore, symbolizing Russia's newfound
maritime power and serving as a celebration of victories over
Sweden. Peter personally sketched early designs, reflecting his
hands-on approach to westernizing Russia.
Construction Phases
and Key Architects
Construction began in earnest in the 1710s,
blending Petrine Baroque style with French formal garden influences.
The complex was developed in phases, involving prominent European
architects and Russian artisans.
Early Phase (1714–1723): The
first major structure was the Monplaisir Palace, built based on
Peter the Great's own sketches. French architect Jean-Baptiste
Alexandre Le Blond, known for his work with André Le Nôtre
(Versailles' landscaper), designed the initial palace and gardens.
Domenico Trezzini served as the primary architect from 1714 to 1728,
establishing the foundational Petrine Baroque style that would
define much of St. Petersburg. During this time, the Upper Gardens
(Verhnyy Sad) were utilitarian, featuring vegetable plots and fish
ponds, while the Lower Gardens (Nizhny Sad, spanning 1.02 km²) began
taking shape with fountains and pathways.
Mid-18th Century
Expansions (1745–1755): Under Empress Elizabeth of Russia (daughter
of Peter the Great), the complex underwent significant enlargement.
Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli redesigned and
expanded the Grand Palace, adding prominent wings and elevating it
to its central status atop the bluff. The building's bright yellow
facade with white stucco decorations and gilt domes became iconic.
Rastrelli's Baroque style transformed the originally modest "Upper"
palace into a lavish residence.
Gardens and Fountains: The Lower
Gardens, laid out in the French formal style of the 17th century,
feature over 150 fountains operating without pumps, powered by
natural springs and reservoirs in the Upper Gardens. The centerpiece
is the Grand Cascade (Bolshoi Kaskad), modeled after Louis XIV's at
Château de Marly, with 64 fountains, a grotto (now a museum), and
the Sea Channel (Morskoi Kanal) bisecting the gardens. Notable
features include the Samson Fountain (designed by Mikhail Kozlovsky
in the 1730s, symbolizing Russia's victory over Sweden with Samson
tearing open a lion's jaws), the Golden Mountain cascade with marble
statuary, and the Chess Mountain with its chessboard-tiled slope.
Other pavilions like the Marly Palace, Hermitage Pavilion, and
structures in the eastern Alexandria Park (added in the 19th century
with Gothic Revival elements, such as the Kapella or Gothic Chapel)
rounded out the ensemble.
Interiors of the Grand Palace
highlight opulence, including the Chesma Hall (decorated with
paintings by Jacob Philipp Hackert depicting the 1770–1771 Battle of
Chesma), the East and West Chinese Cabinets (1766–1769, featuring
imported Eastern artifacts and lacquer work), and the Picture Hall.
Significant Historical Events
Peterhof served as a summer
residence for Russian tsars and a venue for grand celebrations. It
symbolized Russia's expansion toward the Baltic and Black Seas, with
elements like the Samson Fountain explicitly commemorating the Great
Northern War victory (installed on St. Sampson's Day, with the lion
representing Sweden's coat of arms). Throughout the 18th and 19th
centuries, it hosted imperial events, reflecting the opulence of the
Romanov dynasty.
Impact During World War II
Peterhof
suffered immense damage during World War II. German forces captured
the site on September 23, 1941, during the invasion of the Soviet
Union. A Soviet naval landing attempt on October 5, 1941, involving
510 marines near Alexandria Park, failed disastrously due to heavy
artillery, disorganization, and isolation; resistance ceased by
October 7, with many marines killed or captured (some reportedly
attacked by released German Shepherd dogs). Under occupation, the
palace was partially exploded and burned, fountains were destroyed,
and treasures looted—including the original Samson statue. Efforts
by museum staff to bury sculptures failed, resulting in
three-quarters remaining exposed and damaged.
Post-War
Restorations
Restoration commenced immediately after the war,
with the Lower Gardens reopening to the public in 1945. A replica of
the Samson Fountain was installed in 1947. Efforts have continued
for decades, focusing on reconstructing palaces, gardens, and
waterworks. Recent initiatives include restoring the original formal
tree clipping in the Lower Gardens to match 18th-century
appearances.
Current Status
Today, Peterhof is managed by
the Peterhof State Museum-Reserve and remains one of St.
Petersburg's premier attractions, drawing millions of visitors
annually. It encompasses the Grand Palace, cascades, gardens, and
fountains, with ongoing maintenance to preserve its hydraulic
systems and structures. As a UNESCO site, it exemplifies Russian
Baroque architecture and landscape design, serving as a testament to
Imperial Russia's cultural and artistic achievements.
Peterhof Palace, also known as Petrodvorets, is a grand ensemble of
palaces, gardens, and fountains located in Petergof, near Saint
Petersburg, Russia. Commissioned by Peter the Great in 1709 as a
response to the Palace of Versailles, it was expanded significantly
after his 1717 visit to the French court, earning the moniker "The
Russian Versailles." The complex was designed in the Petrine Baroque
style by architects such as Domenico Trezzini, Jean-Baptiste Alexandre
Le Blond (who laid out the gardens), and later Francesco Bartolomeo
Rastrelli, who expanded it between 1747 and 1756 for Elizabeth of
Russia. Inspired by André Le Nôtre's work at Versailles, the layout
integrates Baroque waterworks with natural elevation for dramatic
effect. The entire site, including the palace-ensemble and Saint
Petersburg's city center, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in
1990 for its cultural significance.
The overall structure is centered
on a 16-meter-high natural bluff overlooking the Gulf of Finland. The
Lower Gardens (Nizhny Sad), spanning about 1.02 km², lie between the
bluff and the shore, extending roughly 200 meters east and west, and
house the majority of the fountains, cascades, and smaller palaces. Atop
the bluff sits the Grand Palace, with the smaller Upper Gardens (Verhnyy
Sad) extending south behind it. To the east of the Lower Gardens is
Alexandria Park, featuring 19th-century Gothic Revival structures like
the Kapella (Gothic Chapel). A key engineering feat is the water system:
fountains operate without pumps, powered by natural springs and
reservoirs in the Upper Gardens that use gravity from the bluff's
elevation. The Sea Channel, a grand Baroque water feature, bisects the
Lower Gardens, serving as a marine entrance and connecting the Grand
Cascade to the gulf.
The Grand Palace (Bolshoi Dvorets) is the architectural centerpiece,
positioned atop the bluff near the middle of the Lower Gardens,
overlooking the Grand Cascade. Though imposing with a facade stretching
nearly 300 meters, it is relatively narrow and not overly large when
viewed from the gardens below or above. Originally a modest structure
known simply as the "Upper" palace, it was elevated to prominence with
the addition of wings by Bartolomeo Rastrelli between 1745 and 1755. The
palace's exterior dominates the ensemble, blending Baroque elegance with
its elevated position for panoramic views over the Lower Gardens and the
sea.
Internally, the palace spans about 30 rooms, organized into a
ceremonial enfilade (a sequence of aligned rooms) for official purposes,
accessible via the Guest Entrance in the western part and the Grand
Staircase (designed by Rastrelli in 1751). This staircase, in Rococo
style, features gilded statues, carved bouquets, caryatids, and rocaille
cartouches, leading to the state rooms. Key halls and rooms include:
Chesma Hall: A waiting room for officials before entering the Throne
Room, adorned with paintings by Jacob Hackert depicting the Battle of
Chesma (1770), where the Russian fleet defeated the Turks. It serves as
a historical tribute to naval victories.
Throne Room: The largest
space at 330 square meters, used for receptions, balls, and concerts.
Originally opulent, it was redesigned in 1777 by Yury Felten in a more
modest classical style.
Audience Room: Designed by Rastrelli for
Empress Elizabeth's small receptions, it's noted for its lavish gold
decoration, reportedly ordered to impress noble merchants who valued
opulence.
Dance Hall (formerly Merchants Hall): Occupying 270 square
meters in the western half, this room features tiered windows, mirrors,
paintings, and intricate parquet floors of oak, maple, and walnut. It
was also tied to legends of Elizabeth's gold-heavy designs for merchant
audiences.
White Dining Room: For festive meals, redesigned by Felten
in 1774–1775 in strict classical style; centered around a large table
with a 30-person porcelain set by Josiah Wedgwood.
Painting Hall: The
oldest room, dating to Peter I's era, decorated with French tapestries
and 16 Italian paintings; initially designed by Nicolo Michetti and Le
Blond, later modified by Rastrelli.
The private half, accessible
only to close confidants, includes bedrooms, offices, and salons with
abundant gilding, mirrors, paintings, symmetrical arches, plafond
paintings, and precious wood parquet, creating a festive yet intimate
atmosphere.
East and West Chinese Cabinets, decorated in 1766–1769,
feature imported Eastern objects, imitation Oriental patterns, and
lacquer paintings. The central Picture Hall adds to the artistic focus.
Located south (behind) the Grand Palace atop the bluff, the Upper Gardens are smaller and more utilitarian in origin. Initially used for growing vegetables and maintaining fish ponds (originally three), they now serve as a formal ceremonial area with ornamental hedges, lawns, ponds, statues, fountains, and a rose garden. Crucially, they contain reservoirs that collect water from natural springs, providing the pressure needed for the Lower Gardens' fountains via the bluff's elevation difference—no mechanical pumps are required.
The Lower Gardens form the expansive core of the complex, laid out in
the formal 17th-century French style between the bluff and the Gulf of
Finland shoreline. They feature overgrown trees (with formal clipping
along allées being restored), a shrub labyrinth, and the site's most
creative water features. The gardens are bisected by the Sea Channel,
one of the most extensive Baroque waterworks, which starts at the foot
of the Grand Cascade and flows into a semicircular pool before reaching
the gulf. This channel, along with 63 km of canals, connects hundreds of
fountains across the site.
Prominent elements include 150
fountains and three cascades, echoing the three main palaces. Notable
fountains are the 'Adam' and 'Eve' statues. Other cascades on the bluff
include the Golden Mountain (west of the Grand Palace, with marble
statuary and gilded figures) and the Chess Mountain (east, tiled in
black and white like a chessboard).
The Grand Cascade (Bolshoi Kaskad) is the focal point, modeled after Louis XIV's at Château de Marly. Positioned on the bluff's northern face below the Grand Palace, it consists of layered terraces, an artificial two-story grotto (now a fountain history museum) faced in hewn brown stone, and 64 fountains flowing down into the Sea Channel's semicircular pool. The pool features the Samson Fountain, with a 20-meter-high jet depicting Samson tearing open a lion's jaws—symbolizing Russia's victory over Sweden in the Great Northern War (the lion from Sweden's coat of arms, victory on St. Sampson's Day). Created by Mikhail Kozlovsky, it was looted during WWII and replicated in 1947. The cascade includes 225 sculptures of Biblical characters, animals, and Russian rivers.
Beyond the Grand Palace, the complex includes several smaller palaces
and pavilions, primarily in the Lower Gardens:
Monplaisir Palace
(1714–1723): Peter the Great's personal seaside retreat, based on his
own sketches and designed by Le Blond. It features the Grand Hall and a
seafront garden, serving as his suburban residence.
Marli Palace: A
Baroque mansion in the Lower Gardens, surrounded by water with a
fish-feeding pond and the nearby Golden Hill Cascade.
Hermitage
Pavilion: A secluded pavilion in the Lower Gardens, built during Peter
the Great's initial phase.