Upper Gardens of Peterhof, Imperial gardens at Petergof, Russia
The Upper Gardens of Peterhof form an expansive park laid out with symmetrical patterns, multiple fountains, sculptures, and flower beds arranged around the Grand Palace. The site displays the formal structure of a baroque garden with geometric pathways and cultivated green spaces throughout.
Construction began in 1714 and continued for several decades as the gardens grew into a major expression of imperial power and wealth. Leading European architects shaped the spaces using models from the great western European gardens.
The name reflects the site's location above the palace complex, where visitors can see the formal arrangement of pathways and green spaces laid out with precise symmetry. This baroque design remains the dominant visual language that shapes how people experience and move through the gardens today.
Plan for a full exploration on foot, as the site covers considerable ground with much to discover along the pathways. Comfortable shoes matter, and visiting in early morning or late afternoon helps avoid crowds and provides better lighting for viewing the fountains and sculptures.
The water system relies on natural gravity flow from Ropsha Heights, allowing fountains to operate without mechanical pumps since the beginning. This engineering approach meant the fountains could function automatically and continues to work this way today.
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