Photowalks around Peterhof - The first steps

about 4 years ago

Today I want to start a series of posts about my photo walk around Peterhof. The walk was a long one, and since I started to get involved in photography, I was here for the first time, I took a lot of pictures.

For those who don’t know, Peterhof is a city located on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland near St. Petersburg. In this city is the Palace and Park Ensemble Peterhof. This ensemble includes several parks and palaces. Its construction lasted almost two centuries.

It all started with the fact that in 1715, Emperor Peter I decided to build a suburban residence, and then the ceremonial imperial residence, capable of surpassing the famous Versailles. I have not been to Versailles, but what Peterhof is today is truly impressive!

Separately, it should be noted that during the Second World War the territory of Peterhof was occupied and Peterhof suffered severe destruction. In this regard, it is very pleasing how much effort has been invested in its restoration.

However, I am not strong either in history or in architecture, but only an amateur photographer, so I will mainly focus on photography in my posts. Please do not reproach me for the meager textual accompaniment.

So, my walk, like the walk of most tourists, began from the building of the Great Peterhof Palace. This is the main palace of the ensemble. Inside the palace, I got only at the end of the walk. I will talk about this later. In the meantime, I’ll just inform you that the length of the facade of the building is 286 m. And this facade is facing most of the park.

A large walking area with fountains and an interesting landscape design has been created in front of the palace windows.

But the most valuable and spectacular object in front of the imperial palace is the Grand Cascade of Fountains. It is an amazing construction from an engineering, technical and aesthetic point of view.

The fact is that pumps or other similar mechanisms have never been used for the operation of fountains here. Not far from this park on an elevation is a system of lakes, which continuously feeds fountains with water due to the difference in height.

The cascade includes many fountains of various sizes and power. And they are surrounded by gilded statues in the antique style.

Here is the facade of the palace from the level of the main cascade of fountains.

The slope of the terrace is covered with bright green lawn and decorated with small trees.

And directly from the level of the palace overlooks the Sea Canal. I believe that at the time when the emperors lived here, boats with guests from the Gulf of Finland sailed along it, leaving their ships there.

In the center of the cascade of fountains there is a bowl in the middle of which the main fountain is located. Fountain "Samson". Its main elements are the statue of Samson tearing apart the mouth of a lion.