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St Petersburg: Petergof Lower Park and Grand Palace
- Duration
- 6 Hours
- Prices:
- On request
Peterhof is Russia's answer to Versailles. The place where you will find hundreds of fountains and statues. Some people call it The Kingdom of fountains.
Located on the southern shore of the Finnish Gulf 14 miles (29 kilometers) away from St. Petersburg, it is a place to visit during the summer when the fountains are operating and in good weather but equally impressive in winter.
The history of Petrodvorets begins in 1704 when Peter I built a wooden house on the Gulf while overseeing the construction of the nearby Kronstadt Fortress. In 1713 he began transforming the area into an imperial residence. The palace was inaugurated in 1723 and later expanded by Empress Elizabeth.
With its commanding views of the Baltic, it is the perfect expression of triumphalism. Originally designed by Jean Baptiste Le Blond, the Grand Palace (1714-21) was transformed during the reign of Elizabeth when Bartolomeo Rastrelli added a third storey and wings with pavilions at either end. He tried to preserve Le Blond's early Baroque exterior, but redesigned the interiors, indulging his love for gilded Baroque decoration. The palace stands at the centre of a magnificent landscaped park, with both French and English gardens.
Duration: 6 Hours
Departs: 8 a.m. - Returns: 2 p.m.
From: St Petersburg
