In 1714 Tzar Peter the Great made a decision to create a new countryside residence, which would impress the whole Europe and would not
be inferior to Versailles. According to the documents, which survived till the present days, historians and architects can claim
that Peter I designed the most part of the settlement himself. It took just several years to build the whole ensemble of Peterhof and in
August of 1723 the residence was officially opened. The residence consisted of parks,
fountains, small and big palaces.
During the WWII Peterhof was occupied by the German troops and a lot of structures and
fountains were ruined.
After the war the fountain system was revived and all the
fountain sculptures were reconstructed.
People from all over the world admire the magnificent Peter's residence - Peterhof.
Major sights
1. Peterhof Grand Palace
Peterhof Grand Palace is considered to be the center of the whole architectural ensemble in Peterhof.
The first building was created at the times of Peter I by the German architect Brownstein.
The first palace was small and its width equaled the width of the main cascade.
The palace was redecorated and made larger in the days of Emress Elizabeth, daughter of Peter I.
Elizabeth's favourite architect Rastrelli was commissioned to work in the palace.
Rastrelli was a master of baroque style, so we see a lot of rooms designed in baroque style.
He added side-galleries and two pavilions to the palace. One pavilion was a church and the other one
was used to accommodate guests and relatives of the royal family.
In the days of Catherine II the tastes changed and the interiors were remodelled in late classicism by the
architect Felten.
Peterhof Grand Palace was turned into museum in 1918.
It was one of the most popular museums in St.Petersburg before WWII.
Unfortunately during the occupation the palace burnt down. Peterhof Grand Palace suffered more than any
other palace in the suburbs of Saint Petersburg.
The restoration began in 1951 based upon the documents from the archives evacuated before the war.
Nowadays about two thirds of the original rooms are opened for the visitors.
2. Catherine's Block
Catherine's Block was a small building which was used as a place for balls,
mascarades and playing cards. The famous architect Rastrelli
constructed this residence bu later it was completely reconstructed.
It was built for the Empress Elizabeth, but later it was called after Catherine
the Great as her husband Peter III used to keep her there as a prisoner. In this particular palace Catherine planned
the plot against her husband Peter III.
3. Peterhof Fountain "Grand Cascade"
This Peterhof fountain ensemble is considered to be one of the biggest fountains in the world.
The Cascade together with the Grand palace
create a single entity. The whole ensemble consists of 64 fountains, 255 bronze sculptures,
bareliefs and other decorative parts. The Cascade
has got three waterfall staircases, which are united by the grotto with five arches.
On both sides of the grotto
there are two cascade staircases, which are decorated with statues and vases.
In the middle of the whole ensemble one can see the
statue of Samson tearing the jaws of a lion.
Transport:
By car/bus: Peterhof is accessible by road, the distance
from Saint Petersburg is about 25 km.
Opening hours:
Peterhof Lower park: from 09:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Peterhof Grand Palace: from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Peterhof Grand Palace is closed: on Monday and on last Tuesday of each month.
The museum closes at 4.00 pm on holidays and preceding days
Timetable is subject to change without prior notice.
You can find a tour to Peterhof in our selection of St. Petersburg tours and St. Petersburg excursions.
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