Peterhof

Carol From California · December 10, 2011

Taking a Baltic cruise next summer and trying to decide between these two excursions to Peterhof. Both are free (we are going on Regent). Any advice would be appreciated.

1. Peter the Great's Grand Palace-Peterhof

Peterhof, the magnificent residence of Peter the Great, lies in the flat, forested countryside outside of St. Petersburg. It features a commanding view of the sea down a Marine Canal that allowed the tsars to sail between Peterhof and the Gulf of Finland. Inside the main palace, you will see a wealth of spectacular sights, such as the intricately gilded main staircase, the opulent Throne Room adorned with royal portraits, a fabulous exhibit of Russian porcelain, the royal bedchamber, furnished with a huge Turkish sofa from Catherine the Great, and Peter's oak study, which has survived unaltered from the original design. Lavish period furniture, chandeliers and paintings are found throughout the residence. After touring the palace, a guide will escort you through the gorgeous Peterhof Gardens, which features both French and English influences, and is punctuated with ornamental ponds and cascading fountains.

2. Exclusive Peterhof Pavilions of Russian Tsarinas

This wonderful half-day excursion takes you to what is thought by many to be St. Petersburg's most well-known and spectacular attraction, Peterhof. Often referred to as the Russian Versailles, this marvelous complex, consisting of a magnificent palace set amongst beautiful fountains and parklands is truly a magical place to visit and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Those who take this tour are provided with the opportunity to visit the most recent acquisitions in the Peterhof Palace and park complex by touring the newly restored and absolutely lovely Pavilions that Emperor Nicholas I ordered built for his wife Alexandra and youngest daughter Olga. Both of these superb architectural masterpieces were designed by the famous architect Andrej Shtakenshneider and were built on two small islands in Olga's pond, opposite the Peterhof Upper Garden. Following the revolution of 1917, both Pavilions were neglected and were nearly completely destroyed during 1941-1944 when the ****s had their observation post there.

The design of the Tsarina's Pavilion reflects the style of ancient Pompeiian villas and includes decorative elements from several different cultures, such as ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantian. Thus, the dining room of the Tsarina's Pavilion has an original mosaic floor from the excavations of ancient Pompeii and Alexandra's study is adorned with two unique Byzantine mosaic columns from the 12th century. The Pavilion also houses an extraordinary collection of porcelain, bronze, clocks and vases, as well as marble and bronze sculptures.

Visiting Olga's Pavilion, you will find that it is of a very different style than the one built for her mother. This Pavilion was constructed in a style typical of 18th-century southern Italy and was intended to remind Olga of Palermo, a city she once visited with her parents. The interior design is considered more modest than that of her mother's Pavilion and also more delicate. Here you will find exquisite stucco moldings and inlaid parquet floors, marble fireplaces and wonderful ornaments. In the Dining Room and Pantry, different items from Olga's dowry, such as silverware, porcelain and linens can be found.

Following your time at the Pavilions, you'll travel to the Lower Gardens, a 300-acre park filled with fountains, pavilions and palaces that overlook the Gulf of Finland. The park is home to around 150 fountains which include four cascades that are decorated with gilded statues of mythological characters. The Grand Palace itself commands a breathtaking view of the Grand Cascade, the largest fountain ensemble in the world that is justly considered the main delight of these marvelous grounds. The water from the fountains as it cascades in broad sheets amidst glittering gilt statues and bas-reliefs creates an incredibly gorgeous effect. Dominating the Grand Cascade is the famous statue Sampson Tearing Open the Jaws of a Lion which is a symbolic representation of Russia's victory over Sweden in the Poltava Battle of 1709.

Although the fountains were largely destroyed during World War II, they were lovingly restored after the war and are enjoyed today by visitors from around the world. Interestingly enough, water is provided to the numerous fountains of the Lower Gardens by means of a nearly 14-mile long gravity-fed water system that skillfully exploits the natural slope of the terrain from the springs of Ropsha toward the sea. This innovative system was constructed by Vasilij Tuvolkov, the first Russian hydraulic engineer.

cruiselen · December 10, 2011

In case you also have a visit to Catherine's palace in your itinerary I'd recommend the second choice of the tour, because the Grand Palace in Peterhof and Catherine's palace are similar in some ways. If you are not going to visit Catherine's palace in Pushkin, then go for the first tour choice in Peterhof.

Giantfan13 · December 10, 2011

HI Carol

FREE is always good, so whichever one you choose, you simply cannot go wrong.

Peterhof is simply a magnificent place, but the outside is what attracts most of the visitors. as was said, the insides of Peterhof are very similar to the insides of Catherine Palace, another place you should not miss. I would do a tour that enable me to see more of the outside and grounds of Peterhof and if you have time, try and book a tour that will take you to Catherine's Palace also.

Here are a few of my pics of Peterhof to show you how exciting it really is.

Looking up at the main Palace with all the fountains in full 'bloom'

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe730.jpg

On the first tier, looking out towards the Sea of Finland

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe721.jpg

Some of the other buildings that make up Peterhof

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe718.jpg

You will get to walk the gardens also, a very attractive stroll

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europemaster742.jpg

As you wander about the grounds there are many other fountains to view

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe751.jpg

One of the main fountains, that shoots water some 50 feet in the air