Peterhof Museal Reserve, Museum reserve complex in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Peterhof Museal Reserve runs along the coast of the Finnish Gulf with parks, palaces and 176 fountains connected by a 96-kilometer network of water channels. The grounds include several gardens, pavilions and smaller buildings spread over a wide area.
Peter the Great started building this residence in 1714 with the goal of creating an estate that would show Russian power after the victory in the Northern War. Over the following decades different architects expanded the grounds and added new pavilions and water features.
The Grand Palace holds 30 rooms furnished with chairs, tables, paintings and ornaments from the era that show the lifestyle of the Russian imperial court in the 18th century. Walking through the galleries and reception chambers brings the habits and tastes of that time to life.
The fountains work every day from May to October between 10:00 and 18:00, and guided tours in several languages are offered through audio devices. The grounds cover a large area, so wearing comfortable shoes and allowing enough time to move between sections is a good idea.
The fountain system runs without pumps and relies only on natural water pressure created by the elevation differences between the springs on the grounds. This design follows the original plan from the founding period and still works today.
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