The Peterhof Palace

The Peterhof Palace is a collection of palaces and gardens in Petergof, Saint Petersburg, Russia, commissioned by Peter the Great as a direct reaction to Louis XIV of France's Palace of Versailles. Originally intended for country dwelling in 1709, Peter the Great planned to extend the property following his visit to the French royal court in 1717, earning it the nickname "The Russian Versailles." Domenico Trezzini was the architect between 1714 and 1728, and the style he used provided the foundation for the Petrine Baroque style that was popular across Saint Petersburg. The gardens were also planned in 1714 by Jean-Baptiste Alexandre Le Blond, who was likely chosen because of his past work with Versailles landscaper André Le Nôtre. From 1747 to 1756, Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli constructed an enlargement for Elizabeth of Russia. The palace complex, along with the city center, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A 16-meter-high bluff less than 100 meters from the shore is the most prominent natural feature of Peterhof. Lower Gardens (Nizhny Sad), which account for the majority of Peterhof's land area, are constrained between this bluff and the coast, reaching east and west for around 200 meters. The majority of Peterhof's fountains, as well as various tiny palaces and outbuildings, are housed here. The Alexandria Park, located east of the Lower Gardens, contains 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture like the Kapella.

The Grand Palace is located in the center of the Lower Gardens (Bolshoi Dvorets). Upper Gardens are located behind (to the south) of it (Verhnyy Sad). The Grand Cascade is located on the cliff face beneath the Palace (Bolshoi Kaskad). This, together with the Grand Palace, serves as the complex's focal point. The Sea Channel (Morskoi Kanal), one of the most significant waterworks of the Baroque period, begins at its foot and bisects the Lower Gardens.

Location: Petergof, Saint Petersburg, Russia