Peterhof Palace and Parks Tour 80 €

  • duration: 5 hours
  • price: 80 €
  • order: Book

Guided Tour to Peterhof Palace and Parks with Fountains, situated 29 km South-East from St. Petersburg on the shore of the Gulf of Finland is a tour by hydrofoil to a former official summer palace of the Russian Tsars, is often referred to as "the Russian Versailles", (believe us, much more impressive!). It is an ensemble of gardens, palaces, fountains rich with water, gilded sculptures and trimmed trees.

The Peterhof Grand Palace (which means “Peter’s Court”) is a former royal summer residence by Peter the Great and Russian Tsars ascending the Russian throne in 18-20 centuries. The idea of the location and the original appearance of the palace belonged to Peter the Great himself in 1714 and was realized by architects Johann Friedrich Braunstein, Jean Baptiste Le Blond and Niccolo Michetti.

In the middle of the 18th century the palace was extended with two galleries and during the reign of Peter’s daughter Elizabeth her court architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli extended the palace by the wings - St Peter and St Paul Church Wing and the Coat of Arms Wing.

Peterhof St Peter ans St Paul Church

Celebrations, receptions, balls and masquerades, inviting for up to three thousand guests, took place here. In the Palace Church they held wedding ceremonies, baptized their children and served prayers in honor of military victories.

During Peterhof Grand Palace and Parks Tour you will be told about the history of the palace, constructions works, tastes if owners of the palace and historical events taking place in the palace.

You will enjoy the panorama of the Lower Park and Upper Garden with numerous fountains and sculptural compositions. You will see The Grand Cascade and Samson Fountain.

Peterhof lower park Samson

Peter the Great built and expanded the Peterhof Palace complex as a part of his goal to modernize and westernize Russia. It was one of his favorite creations and he took part into sketches with many architectural details which were fulfilled later by his favorite architects.

You will discover why Peter's favourite small Monplaisir Palace located in the Lower Park of Peterhof was not touched by German troops during World War II

Peterhof Grand Palace and Parks are the sea symphony of Peter the Great where dearest dreams of him were reflected.

The greatest technological achievement of Peterhof is that all of the fountains operate without the use of pumps. Water is supplied from natural springs and collects in reservoirs in the Gardens.

Among interiors of the Grand Peterhof Palace you will go through the Chesma Hall, Ball Room, Grand Throne Room, Dining Rooms, Picture Hall, Chinese Cabinets and the Oak Study of Peter the Great with his authentic possessions.

Peterhof Fountains

Peterhof, like Tsarskoye Selo, was captured by German troops in 1941 and held until 1944. The occupying forces of the German Army largely destroyed Peterhof. Restoration work began almost immediately after the end of the war and continues to this day.

Tour to Grand Peterhof Palace lasts 5 hours and during this time you will:

  • learn which exhibit was the first to be evacuated from the palace when the Second World War started
  • see the favorite place of Peter the Great in Peterhof residence
  • learn where Peter the Great, the founder of Peterhof and St Petersburg, interrogated his own son before imprisoning him
  • fresh yourself by famous trick fountains and pass through the amazing water arch
  • learn what allegories are reflected in the numerous sculptures compositions decorating fountains of Peterhof residence
  • be told why Peterhof is the sea symphony of Peter the Great and what happened here in June 1762.

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