Peterhof (Petrodvorets): photos, fountains, how to get there, prices, opening hours. Peterhof (Petrodvorets): photos, fountains, how to get there, prices, opening hours Palace fountains

Fountains is the original conduit device. Unlike Versailles, these grandiose structures operate without pumps and other water-pressure structures, and water is supplied to them from many natural and artificial ponds fed by underground springs and springs.

At first, Peter planned to build the Grand Cascade and several more fountains, the water for which was supposed to come from the reservoirs of the Upper Garden, but soon the tireless ruler, who personally explored the area, found additional sources of water that abounded in the surroundings of the future Peterhof Park. The nature of the relief made it possible to create a system of water conduits, through which water flowed by gravity from dozens of ponds located above the Lower Park and the Upper Garden.

So everything 4 cascades And 191 fountain Petrodvorets (including the water cannons of the Grand Cascade) are fed by the ponds of the Ropsha Upland, located at a distance of 24 kilometers, as well as English, Lugovoi, Holgin and other reservoirs (18 ponds in total) and many streams and springs. All these sources are interconnected by a complex system of locks and canals, the total length of which is 40 kilometers. The most amazing thing is that the system of water conduits, planned under Peter and with his personal participation, is still in operation today.

Grand Cascade

The main decoration of the Upper Garden can be called Fountain "Neptune", in the center of which the sea lord himself rises, leaning on a three-tiered pedestal, decorated with sculptural images of nymphs, dolphins, newts, corals, riders on sea horses and other monsters. The fountain is set in the middle of the central square pool, on the south side of which stands the statue of Apollo Belvedere. Neptune himself, along with his “retinue”, arrived in Peterhof from Germany in the 80s of the 18th century and was installed instead of the dilapidated lead “Neptunian Cart” by Rastrelli.

The most remarkable of all Peterhof fountains is considered to be grandiose and majestic Grand Cascade. This gilded splendor, including 255 sculptures, bas-reliefs and other architectural structures, as well as, no less, 64 fountains that soar up 138 sparkling water jets. The focus of the whole composition is the famous gilded "Samson tearing the mouth of a lion", and the center of the cascade itself - lower grotto with an observation deck, framed by grand staircases decorated with golden sculptures and marble bas-reliefs.

No less attention than the Grand Cascade attracts Alley of fountains, stretching on both sides of the Sea Canal, dividing the park in two and rushing from the foot of the Grand Palace to the Gulf of Finland. Under Peter along the canal was arranged 22 fountains with sculptures based on Aesop's fables and fountains in the form of vases. The vases themselves have not survived to this day, only eight stone pools located closer to the gateway remind of them.

Against the background of greenery, another cascading fountain, called Chess slide. Coming down the hillside 20m stepped chessboard with two mysterious grottoes, the entrance to which is guarded by three dragons, also called the cascade of Dragons. On both sides, the structure is flanked by two staircases decorated with white marble sculptures. At the beginning of the war, the sculptures were removed and hidden, and the cascade itself was completely destroyed by the Nazis.

Like many years ago, visitors to the Peterhof park are especially fond of moving fountains. They also include Fountain "Favorite" created in 1725. In its small pool, quacking ducks swim in circles all day long, which a small dog unsuccessfully tries to catch up with. To hit her with a coin on the back, and even so that the money lingers there, is considered a good omen: despite its modest size, the servants of the coin park from this fountain get much more than from other pools.

Fountain "Sun" not only resembles a celestial body in shape, but also rotates around its axis, sending its rays around, the role of which is played by water jets. Under Peter, the reservoir where the fountain is now installed was used for breeding fish, but in 1721 the emperor ordered the installation of a fountain in it, which was a water column surrounded by twenty jets of water. After 50 years, the place of the water column was taken by the "Sun" fountain, which plays the role of a shower in the royal bath, which the pool turned into. In those days, the reservoir was surrounded by walls, which were later demolished, but to this day the principle of operation of the central part of the fountain has remained unchanged: the “Sun” drives the wheel rotated by water.

On a hot summer day, it is even pleasant to suddenly find yourself under the jets of cool rain, but it is unlikely that such a surprise was to the liking of noble ladies and gentlemen of the Peter the Great era, dressed and pomaded, with outlandish hairstyles and expensive outfits. But it was they who had to be the first to experience the action Peterhof crackers, when the unsuspecting courtiers, sitting on a bench or sedately walking along the cobblestone pavement, were suddenly doused with jets of water. The most innocent of jokers - Fountain "Umbrella" resembling a giant mushroom on a thin stalk. As soon as you stand under its roof (or hat), 164 jets of water immediately begin to beat down along the perimeter of the umbrella, preventing you from getting out. "Sofas"- old garden benches - douse passers-by with jets flying out of the backs and seats, and the “wet” work is completed by fountains of water beating from the side of the path. The Sprinkling Table is located in the Lower Grotto, and in the park itself there are even water-sprinkling trees - "Christmas Trees"(although you won't be able to get close to them) and bronze "Oak", surrounded by tulip fountains and benches "with a catch". A comic “water” alley is also arranged on the approaches to the garden in front of the Monplaisir Palace, and a couple of crackers are installed on both sides of this garden. For children on a hot day, there is no better fun than walking barefoot along a rectangle lined with round cobblestones in search of a “magic” pebble that turns on water - and being soaked through.

Roman fountains
Cascade Chess Mountain

Fountains of Peterhof (St. Petersburg, Russia) - description, history, location, reviews, photo and video.

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In the design of his summer residence, which was supposed to be as luxurious as Versailles, Peter I assigned the most important role to fountains. The emperor in his decrees explained in detail how and where to build a fountain or cascade. Despite the fact that Peterhof was badly damaged during the Nazi occupation, many of the fountains from the time of Peter the Great have been operating for more than 300 years and their world fame does not fade. The last restoration was carried out in 1995. There are about 150 fountains and cascades in the Lower and Upper Parks of Peterhof. It is not possible to describe all of them, but we cannot fail to mention at least some of them.

A fantastic spectacle is the Grand Cascade, sparkling with gold sculptures and silver water jets. In the center of the water bucket, a powerful jet of the Samson fountain soars up, and the cascade is connected to the bay by the Sea Canal. The Grand Cascade is the most significant building of the Peterhof fountain system and a brilliant monument of Baroque art.

The fountain "Samson tearing the mouth of a lion" (1802) symbolizes the victory of Russia over Sweden, which took place on the day of St. Sampson, the emblem of which includes a lion.

Two large fountains of the "Bowl" are located on both sides of the Grand Cascade and compositionally support the huge water column of the "Samson". The ensemble of the parterre of the Lower Park consists of these powerful fountains, Large flower beds and marble Voronikhinsky colonnades, from the roofs of which jets beat from golden vases, flowing into semicircular bowls. Behind the western Voronikhinskaya colonnade is the amusing Favorite Fountain. In a small pool, 4 ducks and a pug chasing them are moving in a circle, while barking and quacking are heard. This fountain serves as an example of Peter I's plan to build 22 fountains along the Sea Canal with sculptural decorations based on scenes from Aesop's fables.

Behind the western Voronikhinskaya colonnade is the amusing Favorite Fountain. In a small pool, 4 ducks and a pug chasing them are moving in a circle, while barking and quacking are heard.

One of the most beautiful fountains in Peterhof is the Roman Fountains, named after the fountains in the square in front of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. A huge disk rests on a massive marble cubic pedestal, on it is a smaller pedestal with another disk, from the center of which five jets are beating. The fountains are decorated with colored marble, golden garlands, wreaths and mascarons. Next to the Roman fountains, the Chess Mountain cascade flows down the slope of the water, the steps of which are painted like a chessboard. However, at first the cascade was called the “Dragon Mountain”, since the entrance to the upper grotto is guarded by three dragons, from the open mouths of which powerful streams of water pour out.

Many wonderful fountains are arranged in the Monplaisir Garden, adjacent to the Monplaisir Palace - the favorite brainchild of Peter, who wanted to see Petersburg, Kronstadt, and the northern shore of the Gulf of Finland from his windows. The largest of them is the Sheaf fountain, surrounded by bell fountains on four sides: sculptures of Psyche, Faun, Apollino and Bacchus are mounted on pedestals in the form of inverted bowls from which water flows. Two modest white benches in the Monplaisir garden are not as simple as they seem at first glance. As soon as you approach them, you will immediately be overtaken by thin jets of water. And these are not the only trick fountains in Peterhof. Here, for example, "Oak" - a tree surrounded by tulips, and two benches next to it. Those who want to see a blooming tulip so late are immediately doused with a stream of water, retreat under a tree only adds to the sputum of sensations, and flight to the benches, from which water also suddenly begins to beat, completes the job. There are a few more crackers in the Lower Park, but we will give you the opportunity to find out for yourself which ones.

Fountain opening hours

Fountains operate only in the summer, from late April to about mid-October. The fountains of the Grand Cascade are solemnly launched every day at 11:00 to the music of Gliere's "Hymn to the Great City" and turned off at 18:00. The spring festival of the grand opening of the fountains usually takes place in mid-May.

The season is also closed solemnly - with the Autumn Fountain Festival around mid-September. In mid-October they are turned off for the winter and turned on only at the end of April.

Address: St. Petersburg, Peterhof.

Like all tourists or just travel lovers, we started our visit to Peterhof from the upper garden. He met us with a riot of tulips of various shapes and colors. The manicured lawns, shady alleys, neatly trimmed trees amazed. On the territory of the upper garden were two small fountains, the first of all their diversity. The weather was beautiful, and against the background of the blue sky, the Peterhof Palace looked just great.

How to get there

• From Avtovo metro station: Minibuses: T-224, T-300, T-424 buses: No. 200, No. 210
• From the metro station "Leninsky Prospekt": minibuses: T-103, T-420
• From Prospekt Veteranov metro station: minibuses: T-343, T-639B
• From the Baltic railway station: train to the New Peterhof or Oranienbaum station from the station in New Peterhof 10 minutes by bus: No. 344, No. 348, No. 350, No. 351, No. 352, No. 355, No. 356

I will leave the main topic a little, but it is necessary to write that from time to time we are worried about the same thing. So, all the toilets are located in remote parts of the park. Therefore, especially if you are with children, we advise you to solve all the pressing problems at the entrance to the park, so that later nothing interferes with your pleasant time. Well, immediately about something else. A visit to the park will take you all day, no less. Food in the park is very expensive, it is worth stocking up on sandwiches and water (although the latter runs out very quickly). Two of us couldn't stand the hunger strike and "smashed" a burger using the last "cash" (they don't take cards) - and this explains why we got home by bus. If you expect to make purchases (souvenirs, etc.) - take cash.

Let's continue. After admiring the fountain "Samson tearing the lion's mouth" from above, we decided to go down directly to the fountain itself. And then we were interested in an invitation to the tour "Grottoes of the Grand Cascade". I will not describe the manipulations in which we bought tickets without passports, but we did it. The tour is very unusual - you must take it. But this is a separate story, and read about it in our separate article.

Then we went down to the "Samson". Samson is amazing. The statue itself symbolizes the power of Russia, the victory over both Sweden and Nazi Germany. By the way, during the war with fascism, "Samson" was destroyed and rebuilt. The jets of the fountain rise proudly. Beauty is extraordinary. And if you are at the fountain in good weather, take a closer look - you will see a rainbow. We would have admired more, but the time for the tour has come.

After the tour, we went obliquely to the right (if we are facing the Gulf of Finland from Samson on the left) and ended up on a shady alley, where we met a cute charming squirrel, who was nibbling a nut intently, paying little attention to the children attacking her from all sides. Very quickly we came to the square of the cascade "Chess Mountain". There are also two beautiful fountains. On the same square, by the way, there are toilets and numerous fast food kiosks.

In total, there are 147 active fountains on the territory of the complex.

After a short break, we moved on. Our path lay to the fountains of "crackers". It turns out that Peter had a certain sense of humor and he liked to suddenly douse his guests with water. The fountains include the "water road", the "Oak" and "Umbrella" fountains. The whole "trick" is that walking along the road, admiring the oak tree or sitting on the bench of the "Umbrella", you run the risk of getting wet from head to toe at the most inopportune moment. The kids really like it. The principle of operation of these fountains is known to us, but we will not disclose it to you. The most curious, turning their heads in all directions, will understand what the secret is.

Having walked along the alleys of the park, we naturally decided to head towards the Gulf of Finland. On the way we met the fountain "Sun". In general, there were many fountains, we simply cannot describe everything. Each fountain is remarkable in its own way. "Sun" because a ball is installed at the top of the fountain, from which streams of water are ejected and, as it were, rays are obtained. The ball is slowly rotating.

Our way to the Gulf of Finland was violated by the sign "Labyrinth". Since none of us were there, we decided to look at this miracle of engineering technology. Along the way, we had a chance to admire swans and ducks in a closed enclosure. Regarding the labyrinth - of all the labyrinths, this is the most “not a labyrinth”. There is nothing to do there. Don't waste time.

And finally, the Gulf of Finland. It got cold right away. The Gulf of Finland is always cold, so in Peterhof a swimsuit is not included in the mandatory “dress code” in summer. But on the other hand, a beautiful view of the city opens up, on the cable-stayed bridge (in clear weather). We walked along the road along the Gulf of Finland, periodically dodging the overtaking ubiquitous electric cars with sightseers, and took pictures on all the lawns and near all the streams "because we want to."

So gradually we reached the “Dutch Courtyard”. Peter, as you know, loved Holland and recreated her tiny corner here. A small courtyard is planted with amazingly beautiful scarlet tulips. In the center, of course, a fountain. In a corner of the courtyard there is some kind of entertainment for children, where they are poured with water. But we didn't go there. Who will go with children - try it, just take a raincoat for your child.

Tired, having worn out our last shoes and experiencing incredible pleasure from walking, we decided to head home. We made our way back in the same order. At the same time, our tireless photographer continued to take pictures. Why we did the return trip by bus, we already wrote above, but we don’t advise you to do this in any case - only a fixed-route taxi.

And in the end I would like to write the following: no matter how many times you come to St. Petersburg, the same number of times you will definitely go to Peterhof. In order to admire the majestic jets of fountains, enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the park, walk along its shady alleys, see beautiful meadows with flowers, stand on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, or simply feed a small fluffy squirrel.

During a visit to France in 1717, Peter I visited Versailles, and this palace and park ensemble made a great impression on him. The emperor decided to do something similar in Russia, so the famous palaces, parks and fountains of Peterhof. This iconic place is included in their routes by all tourists visiting St. Petersburg.

The dominant feature of the complex is the Great Peterhof Palace, which connects the Lower Park and the Upper Garden into a single whole. It took 11 years to build, resulting in a very modest building in the style of "Peter's" baroque. This residence did not suit Elizabeth I, and she began its restructuring, setting a difficult task for the architect B. Rastrelli: to preserve the walls of her father's palace, harmoniously fitting them into the new concept. The great Bartolomeo brilliantly coped with this by increasing the number of storeys and completing the galleries with adjoining side buildings.

In the era of Catherine II, the splendor of baroque went out of fashion, and Grand Palace changes the internal appearance in accordance with the style of classicism.The last significant changes in the Peterhof Palace took place under Nicholas I, who, in honor of the marriage of his daughter Olga, ordered that a floor above the eastern building be completed. All the time, until the October Revolution, the Grand Palace was one of the favorite summer residences of Russian emperors, and since 1918 it has become a museum.

Peterhof is known not only for palaces, but to a greater extent for its park ensembles with their famous fountain cascades.

At first it was a gilded "Neptunov's Cart". But over time, it fell into disrepair, was dismantled and replaced with a new group. This "Neptune", already without a "cart", but with dolphins and lead oak garlands, has survived to this day.Near the main gate of the Upper Garden there is the Mezheumny fountain, which received its name due to the frequent changes in the sculptural decor.

The latest version is represented by a bronze sea dragon and 4 dolphins, from which jets of water soar.

The lower park was immediately formed as a regular one from 1714 to 1723. Architects and garden craftsmen created it in the French manner, and although many decorative details were lost, the main concept was preserved.The park is divided into 3 logically interconnected parts: Front, Marlin and Monplaisir. Each alley of the park ends with a palace or a fountain.

The main building of the western part of the park is the Marly Palace, named so in memory of the visit of Peter I to the residence of Louis XIV.

The emperor himself made sketches of the architectural features and decoration of this building. The result is a Dutch-style palace with austerity both externally and internally.

Collections of Western European painting and Chinese porcelain were placed in Monplaisir. The tsar's office was decorated in the style of a marine theme, from its windows a wonderful view of the Gulf of Finland, Kronstadt, St. Petersburg, Peterhof. Family celebrations, celebrations in honor of the victories of Russian weapons, receptions of foreign ambassadors were held in the restrainedly beautiful Grand Hall of the palace. After the death of Peter I, Monplaisir became a museum, where his personal belongings are still kept.

Main attraction decorating Peterhof - park fountains, an indescribable water extravaganza. Initially, it was planned to build cascades of fountains in Strelna, but later this idea was abandoned due to the inevitable flooding. Peterhof became an ideal option because of its diverse relief.

It only remained to find a reliable source of water supply, which was soon discovered on the Ropsha Upland. Peter I instructed to dig a canal that would supply water fountains of Peterhof. At the same time, ponds were arranged in the Upper Garden, where it was supposed to accumulate.

This is how the Peterhof fountain system was born, which developed until the middle of the 19th century. It turned out about 40 km of canals, through which water enters 18 reservoirs with a total area of ​​​​more than 100 hectares, and then it is fed through pipes to fountains. This hydraulic masterpiece works without the use of pumping equipment due to the height difference.

The huge supply of underground waters of the Ropsha Upland allows Peterhof fountains to work from May to October for 8 hours a day.

Opening fountains in Peterhof is a luxurious holiday attended by thousands of people. The Grand Cascade, located at the foot of the Peterhof Palace, always wakes up first.

Its center is the famous Samson tearing the lion's mouth.

Initially, according to the plan of Peter I, there should have been a sculpture of Hercules killing the hydra, but this idea was not realized. During the time of Anna Ioannovna, they returned to the idea, and in honor of the 25th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Poltava, a fountain was built. But instead of Hercules, on a 3-meter pedestal, surrounded by dolphins, the biblical hero Samson fights with a grinning lion, from whose mouth water beats 20 meters high.

In the Monplaisir part of the Lower Park there is a cascade "Chessboard Mountain". It got its name thanks to the drain steps, painted like a chessboard.

Away from the ceremonial ensembles is the most abundant fountain "Pyramid". It was created according to the plan of Peter I and is made in the form of a 4-sided pyramid, the shape of which is created by 505 water jets.

The Sheaf Fountain, one of the oldest, fits in no less harmoniously with the composition of the eastern part of the Lower Park. It is made in the form of a bunch of ears of corn, from which a stream of water shoots.

Along the axis of Marlinskaya Alley, Peter I ordered the installation of paired fountains "Adam" and "Eve".

Around each of them hit 16 seven-meter jets.

In the western part of the Lower Park there is a beautiful "Golden Cascade", so named because of the vertical parts of its drain steps, decorated with gilded copper sheets. This splendor is guarded by sculptures of ancient heroes made of Carrara marble.

The height of their jets is 15 m, but at the same time the water consumption is minimal due to the design features proposed by Peter I himself.

The last, fourth, called the "Lion" cascade was built instead of the lost Hermitage and is located on the lower terrace, and not on the slope, like its 3 counterparts.

During the Great Patriotic War, Peterhof was captured by the German invaders, who ruthlessly destroyed it. Cut down gardens, plundered and blown up palaces, that's what he was turned into Peterhof, photo war years - the memory of that terrible time. So that the German name would not cut the rumor, in 1944 the city was renamed Petrodvorets.

And only after more than half a century, he was finally returned to his original name - Peterhof.

Fountain art of the 18th - 19th centuries was reflected in the fountains of Peterhof. Here are the most bizarre types and shapes of fountains. You can admire single-jet and multi-jet fountains, water bells and bowls, fountains that are grouped in separate rows, solo or double fountains. Each type of fountain has its own patterns of jets, they can be in the form of fans, curtains, bouquets. Even the sounds emitted by the jets are taken into account - this can be a menacing growl of stormy streams or a slight rustle.

It is not possible to describe all the splendor of fountain compositions, because in Peterhof there are 4 cascades and 176 fountains! Below you can find a description of the most famous fountains, but believe me, the fountains left outside of this page deserve no less attention. Each fountain of Peterhof is a pearl in its unique and luxurious collection. Do you want to feel like you are in a real fairyland? Come to Peterhof, take a walk in its magical parks among the fountains.

Grand Cascade

This fountain structure is exceptional in terms of the abundance of water, the splendor of the decor and the variety of water cannons. The large cascade is one of the symbols of Peterhof, because in the center of the pool stands the figure of Samson, tearing apart the mouth of a lion, which has become truly legendary!

In total, this baroque composition includes 255 bronze sculptures, bas-reliefs (a sculptural convex image of something) and mascarons (a sculptural decoration of a building in the shape of a human or animal head). In total, there are 64 fountains in the Grand Cascade, which begin to beat simultaneously in early May, at exactly 11 o'clock to the hymn to the Great City, by Reinhold Gliere.

The idea of ​​the Grand Cascade belonged to Peter I, its construction began in May 1716, and in July 1721 a test water supply was made. The sculpture of Samson was made later, in 1735, by the sculptor Carlo Rastrelli, on the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Poltava.

In 1941, the Grand Cascade was practically destroyed by the fascist invaders, but through the efforts of Soviet restorers, everything was restored and it is still the main one in the fountain system of Peterhof, constituting a single whole with the Grand Palace, which begins the prospect of the Sea Canal.

Cascade "Golden Mountain"

If you stand at the foot of this cascade and look at the sculpture of Neptune on the upper wall, it seems that a golden stream is flowing. This effect is due to the gilded copper sheets that trim the vertical parts of the steps. The fourteen-meter cascade is placed near the Marly Palace and started by the architect N. Mikketi, and completed by M. Zemtsov in 1732.

The sculptural composition plays out the ancient Greek tragedy about the sacrifice of Andromeda in order to propitiate Poseidon, who sent a sea monster to the country, for the boastful speeches of Cassiopeia. The architect N. Benois restored the cascade in 1870, lining the drain steps with marble and replacing the lead sculptures with marble ones from Italy.

During the Great Patriotic War, the complex was badly damaged, but through the efforts of restorers, the historical appearance was recreated.

Cascade "Lion"

Modest water design, simplicity of ancient forms, without gilded decoration - this cascade falls out of the general perception of the Peterhof ensemble. It was built in the style of late classicism, at the end of the 18th century. The architect A. Voronikhin deliberately gave it a modest charm of sovereignty. It is located between Marlinskaya and Berezovaya alleys. Only by 2000 was it possible to repair all the damage received during the war.

Square Pond Fountains

In 1719, according to the plan of J.-B. Leblon to the right and left of the Upper Chambers of Peter I dug two deep ponds in order to accumulate water for the Lower Park. In 1737, I. Blank and I. Davydov arranged fountains in them, Diana was installed in the western one, and Alpheus with Proserpina in the eastern one, and along the edges of the figure, six dolphins throwing out arc jets. At the end of the 18th century, the central statue was removed due to dilapidation and replaced with a vertical jet. in general, the composition was broken and in 1929 I installed marble statues of Spring and Summer.

During the war, the control device of the ponds and the underground water conduit were blown up by the enemy. Dolphins have been kidnapped. After the war, everything was restored, and the dolphins became bronze.

Fountain "Mezheumny"

The second name of this unusual fountain is "Indefinite", because of the frequent change of scenery. First, in 1739, the architect I. Blank put up a sculptural composition of Andromeda made of lead, then Andromeda herself was removed and only a mythological monster in the form of a sea serpent and four dolphins remained. Half a century later, the snake was removed and the figure of a "starlet" was placed. In 1925, a cast-iron vase was put in its place, taking it from the Oak Basin. A jet of water spouted unevenly from it, and visitors liked it.

While repairing the fountain after the war, in 1958 they decided to restore the scenery according to the picture of the 18th century, and again we can observe the sea monster surrounded by dolphins.

Fountain "Neptune" with the cascade of Apollo

It is noteworthy that this sculptural composition of the older Peterhof is about 50 years old. It was created by German sculptors at the end of the 17th century, wishing to mark the end of the Thirteen Years' War. The Germans were unable to provide the fountain with the necessary water pressure, and therefore, without installing it, they kept it in Nuremberg.

In 1799, Emperor Paul 1 bought it and ordered to replace the fountain "Neptune's cart (chariot)", installed in 1737 and fallen into disrepair. Simultaneously with the "Neptune Chariot", a three-stage cascade with the statue of "Winter" was arranged on the south side, which was replaced with a copy of the statue of Apollo Belvedere in the early 19th century.

"Neptune" is the central fountain of the Upper Garden of Peterhof and today tourists have the opportunity to admire the god of the seas with a symbol of his power - a crown and a trident, surrounded by his marine subjects: nereids, sea dragons and hippocampus riders.

Fountain "Favorite"

A unique fountain, which also has the second name "Favorite". This is the only surviving "plot" fountain from the 17th century. He conveys the meaning of the fable of J. Lafontaine, and earlier Aesop's "Ducks and Poodle", where ducks tease the dog that they say she can chase them, but not catch them.

This fountain is located behind the western Voronikhinsky colonnade and was erected by order of Catherine 1 in 1725. Figures of three ducks and a drake circle non-stop in the pool, followed by a figure of a pug. Initially, the figurines were carved from oak, but in 1726 they were cast from copper and brightly painted. The fountain is quite complicated. By means of a mechanism hidden under the pool, fountain figures are set in motion and voiced, the dog barks, the ducks quack.

After the occupation of Peterhof, only one duck survived, which was found at the bottom of the Sea Canal in 1946. The water supply device was fixed in 1957, and the fountain again filled the neighborhood with the quacking of ducks and the barking of a restless dog. They say it's a good omen to hit a pug on the back with a coin, and cheerful tourists tirelessly compete among themselves in accuracy.

Roman fountains

Two fountains, like two twin brothers, stand in front of the "chessboard" cascade and the exit to the Monplaisir alley. They are copies of Italian fountains in the form of bowls in Rome, in Piazza San Petro. The material for them was originally wood and lead, according to the idea of ​​architects I. Blank and I. Davydov in 1739. Later, in 1763 f. Rastrelli installed them on stone plinths and painted over the tree to look like marble.

Now the fountains are made of colored marble of various types, and their panels are decorated with forty-eight golden garlands, wreaths, mascarons and shells.
Tourists are delighted, because fleetingly you can feel like a tourist in Rome.

"Pyramid"

Or "Pyramid", located in the Monplaisir part of the Lower Park of Peterhof, i.e. in the eastern part. It is located separately, on the pyramidal alley, which violates the ensemble tradition of Peterhof. The location of the fountain is planned in such a way that it appears unexpectedly before your eyes when you come close to it. And then a huge eight-meter water pyramid, sparkling in the sun with all the colors of the rainbow, against the background of centuries-old lindens, strikes your mind.

"Pyramid" is one of the oldest fountains in Peterhof, and is rightfully considered one of the most magnificent. The triangular obelisk in Versailles was taken as the basis of the idea, and in 1724 the architect N. Michetti created it. The fountain has four water cascades oriented to the cardinal points, which symbolizes Russia's victory in the Northern War, because then there was a tradition to install pyramid-shaped obelisks in battlefields.

"Adam" and "Eve"

"Adam" and "Eve" are paired fountains of the Lower Park of Peterhof and they stand on the axis of the main alley - Marlinskaya, which runs along the coast of the Gulf of Finland. "Adam" was placed in the eastern part of the park, and "Eve" in the western part, on small platforms, from which large and small alleys diverge. In this part of the Peterhof park, "Adam" and "Eve" are the main fountains, they are located at central points so that they can be seen from almost anywhere.

The originals from which these fountains were made still stand in Venice, on the stairs of the Doge's Palace. Sculptor G. Bonazza, making them, easily made his own changes to the details, while maintaining the overall composition. Using baroque elements, he brought such a fusion of styles that he delighted Peter 1. Otherwise, the fountains are very laconic, the pools are in the shape of an octagon made of granite, in the center of the sculpture on pedestals, around them there are sixteen seven meter jets.

These fountains are the only ones in Peterhof whose compositions have never changed. For more than three hundred years they have been standing, symbolizing Peter 1 and Catherine 1 - the progenitors of the imperial house of the Russian Empire.

Fountains - crackers

Today, the trickster fountains of Peterhof are the only examples of fountains for water fun of the nobility, common in the 17th and 18th centuries. There were many playing places in Peterhof park. In the Monplaisir garden there were "sofas", in the Grotto of the large cascade - a "table with spray", on the ruined cascade there was a "bridge with a waterway"

"Sofas"

"Sofas" were the first, they were installed in 1723. These were two plain white benches, adorned with golden tritons. All cracker fountains are located in the eastern part of the Lower Park, it was in this part that the festivities of the royal guests were held.

"Umbrella" ("Mushroom")

On the Monplaisir Alley there is the "Umbrella" fountain, installed in 1796. After restoration in the 19th century, it became known as "Fungus". A wide umbrella, standing on a mighty stand, around which a bench was installed, this is how this joke fountain looks like. There is a cut bump at the top of the umbrella, and along the edges there is a jagged border in which 164 tubes are hidden, spewing streams of water down. After the war, the fountain was restored according to the drawings of the 18th century.

"Oak" and "Tulips"

On the other side of the Monplaisir alley stands the Oak complex. A round platform with a stream running around it. On it rises a six-meter oak, made of hollow tubes, to which oak leaves are welded. Under it are five fountains - "tulips". Along the edges of the clearing there are two benches, in which forty-one hollow tubes are hidden.

"Christmas Trees"

On a winding path from the "Dubka" you can get to the "Yolochki". These three metal trees were installed in the park in 1784 and restored in 1958. Steel tubes minted under the bark, branches made of brass, needles made of tin. From a distance, they look exactly like the real ones. But, it is worth getting closer, as they treacherously douse you with streams of water.