Peterhof

I'm sitting on the Hydrofoil to Peterhof, another palace. Finding this one should be easy - just walk off the pier.

Peter the Great had a place built here in the 1720's. The park is based on french garden design. The main fountains were based off Versailles. The ponds in the palace were stocked with fish that were trained to eat bread from a hand at the ringing of a bell.

The grounds contain 2 palaces, one by Peter the Great as a retreat and the second by Empress Elizabeth for state functions.  Like the Catherine Palace, The Italian master Rasterelli was commissioned to build Elizabeth's palace and it was later remodeled by Catherine the Great.

Photo of the Grand Cascade by Alex Florstein

Catherine the Great was being held in semi-captivity here at the time she came to power. The guide describes the coup as 'taking over for her husband'.

Most of the palaces and grounds were destroyed in World War 2 as it was just 500m from the front lines. Almost everything is the result of restoration. 

Taking photos or video of the inside is not officially allowed. This one is off the "net".

For other interior pictures there are some good ones at these sites.

http://www.saint-petersburg.com/peterhof/grand-palace.asp

http://www.peterhof-express.com/about_peterhof/great_palace
(click on the small images for larger pictures)

You can also Virtual tour the exterior of this site through Google Street View.

Peterhof Gardens