Petergof – Park of Golden Fountains – 2015

So about palace itself:

Petergof (Peterhof in German, “Peter’s yard”), which from 1944 to 1997 was called “Petrodvorets”, is a “city within the city” located in the Peterhof district of St. Petersburg. Located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. This is a major tourist, scientific and educational center to the west of St. Petersburg, 29 km by railway.

Peterhof was founded in 1710, for 200 years it was the main summer residence of emperors and is strongly bound with the history of Russia. The seaside paradise was built as a grandiose triumphal monument, glorifying the Greatness of Russia, which in the course of the Northern War conquered the much-needed and desired access to the Baltic Sea. Peterhof has city status since 1762, as a Science Center since 2005.

The project itself can be called “the child” of Peter the First himself - more than ten of his hand-written drawings relating to Peterhof, and even more drawings with corrections and notes have been preserved. Even after the death of the emperor, for one and a half centuries transforming the summer residence, the architects not only carefully saved, but also continued to embody all the basic plans of Peter the First.

Peterhof is a Monument of World Architecture and palace and park art. It includes the palace and park ensemble of the XVIII — XIX centuries - the former suburban royal residence, which was turned into a museum after nationalization on May 19, 1918.

The Museum got its current status in 1990.

There is something to see at Peterhof

• Grand Peterhof Palace (30 rooms, including richly decorated ceremonial halls, marble, painted ceilings, inlaid parquet and gilded walls).
• Upper garden (15 hectares, 5 ponds, 5 fountains and a cascade, statues and gazebos).
• Lower Park (102 hectares on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, more than 150 fountains and 4 cascades).
• A lot of other parks and cottages etc. - Alexandria Park, Cottage Palace, Farmers Palace, Gothic chapel, Nicholas II Lower Dacha, Kolonistsky Park and much more.

If you come to Peterhof, here are some interesting tips for you!

• Peterhof is not just a park with fountains, it is a big city with a population of over a hundred thousand people.
• Peterhof is actually an open-air museum. There are 5 huge parks, more than 15 museums from small pavilions to magnificent palaces, dozens of monuments, sculptures and, of course, an amazing number of fountains in the Upper and Lower Park.
• Entrance to the Upper Park is free. You can also get to the Lower Park and its museum (except the Grand Palace) for free. The second Sunday of the month, members of large families, students and schoolchildren pass free of charge upon presentation of an identity document.
• In all cafes located near the park, prices are inadequately overpriced because summer is the high season, when a huge amount of money is earned. I recommend either to take food with you, or not to be lazy and walk a couple of stops away from the park and eat at a normal restaurant or cafe.
• It is not possible to see all of Peterhof in one day. Even the Lower Park with all the museums is too much for one day. So make sure to plan the route before and places that you definitely want to see in advance.
• As a free entertainment, you can visit the farm with animals 5 minutes drive from Peterhof.
• Prices for hotels in Peterhof are mega high. But in 10-20 km from Peterhof in Leningrad region - there prices are much lower.So if you are driving by car and the distance is not a problem for you.
• On the day of registration(wedding day), the bride and groom are entitled to free visits to the Lower Park, Alexandria and Oranienbaum.
• You can get to Peterhof by car, train, taxi, bus, shuttle bus and even a meteor from the Admiralty Embankment!
• In the Cathedral of Peter and Paul you can climb to the very top of the panoramic platform. From there there is a great view of Peterhof and the surrounding area.
• You can ride a carriage ride through Peterhof and even take a personal guide.
• In winter, the entrance to the park is free for all categories of visitors.
• There are a lot of squirrels in the park, so grab the nuts. :D
• Golden autumn in Peterhof parks is no less beautiful in Peterhof summer.
• Most people in the park at the weekend. The last thing is Monday, but this day the Grand Palace is closed.
• Souvenir shops near the palace are designed for foreigners. Magnets with the image of Peterhof in kiosks a kilometer from the park are cheaper than three times.
• Parking In Petergof is a trouble. But you can leave the car in a nearby yard, and nothing will happen to it.
• Without comfortable shoes, you will cry in an hour or stay in Peterhof for a night, because distances need to be overcome huge.(even though I managed with high heels but not all are such superheroes :D)
• On the day of the city of Peterhof and on May 9, you can watch gorgeous fireworks. Salutes are also happening on the days of the opening and closing of the fountains in Peterhof, but to see them, you don’t have to buy a ticket. You can just go to the entrance to the Lower Park.
• Peterhof is in the TOP three of the most beautiful places in Russia.
• And Petergof is not a copy of the French Versailles, it is much more spectacular and larger!