Peterhof fountains, parks, museums.
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Peterhof offers the visitor a suburban atmosphere with plenty of parks, gardens, fountains, and palaces to see.
The Peterhof ensemble.
Upper Park. This area forms the land approach to the ensemble. Originally, the upper park was somewhat functional: vegetables were grown and ponds were stocked with fish. By the middle of the 18th century, however, it would become more like a formal garden. The paths of the upper park are decorated with statues and arbored trellises.
Lower Park. Also known as the Lower Gardens. In the lower park is the centerpiece of the whole ensemble. A small ridge forms the southern boundary and the Gulf of Finland forms the northern boundary. The fundamental principle of the design is symmetry. In the middle is the great palace, great cascade, and sea channel going to the Gulf dividing the park into eastern and western sections.
Palaces
Many of the palaces in Peterhof are now museums.
Great Peterhof Palace. The three storey great palace sits on top of the ridge that separates the upper and lower parks. What is seen now is what was seen in Peter the Great's time. In his time there was only a small royal mansion at the site. Fine examples of antique furniture within; an old lady stands guard in each room, some even with a smile.
Monplaisir Palace. It is located near the Gulf. It also has three avenues radiating from it.
Cascades in Peterhof
Great cascade. Directly below the palace is an artificial grotto which has five arches. Decorated stairs are on each side and go up to the grotto. The great cascade starts here and goes into the Sea Channel, which goes out into the Gulf of Finland.
Lion cascade.
Marly cascade. Also known as the Golden Hill cascade and is located on the western side.
Fountains
The fountains operate from May to mid-October every day of the week from 11AM-5PM.
Adam and Eve fountains, Dragon and chessbord cascade, Faun and a Kid Cloche fountains, Fable fountain, Menager fountains, Midway fountain, Neptune fountain, Nymph and Danaid fountains, Orangery Fountain, Pyramind fountain, Roman fountains, Samson fountain, Settee fountain and many others.
