Petergof, City municipality on the Baltic Sea coast near Saint Petersburg, Russia
Peterhof is a former imperial residence on the Baltic Sea coast near Saint Petersburg and encompasses both a grand palace complex and extensive gardens with 150 fountains. The grounds extend over terraced terrain with waterworks connected through a gravity-operated system.
Peter the Great founded the residence in 1711 after visiting the French court and designed it as a response to the Palace of Versailles. The palaces were heavily damaged during World War II and rebuilt in the decades that followed.
The Grand Palace exhibits Petrine Baroque architecture through decorated facades, gilded statues, and ceremonial halls with period furniture. The interiors preserve the design of imperial receptions with handcrafted parquet floors and ceiling paintings.
The museum complex operates daily from April through October and offers guided tours in multiple languages for both palace and garden areas. The fountains run during warmer months and the best visiting times are weekdays outside summer peak periods.
The Grand Cascade uses natural water pressure from springs located 22 kilometers away to power its 64 fountains without any pumping mechanisms. The entire water system has functioned since the early 18th century without mechanical assistance through purely hydraulic principles.
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