Peterhof Palace: A Surreal Excursion in St. Petersburg

Peterhof Palace is the highlight of St. Petersburg, Russia. It is also known as the Versailles of Russia, as Versailles was the inspiration behind the architecture of this palace. Among the many attractions, Peterhof tops the must-visit list. There are plenty of palaces in and around Russia, but there’s nothing like Peterhof. It is very easily accessible by anyone. It is on everyone’s bucket list when visiting Russia.

The unprecedented beauty of this palace captivates everyone’s heart. From majestic architecture to sprawling woods, splashing fountains, and lush green gardens, Peterhof Russia charms everyone. If you want to witness the grandeur and opulence of this palace, you are at the right place. We have shared everything you must know about this attraction in this post so you can experience it more yourself. Come, let’s learn more about Peterhof Palace, Russia.
 
A Brief History of Peterhof Palace

Peter the Great founded Peterhof, reflecting the famous Palace of Versailles emulation. Peter visited France in 1717, where he admired the Great Palace of Versailles. When he returned from that trip, he had many ideas to magnify his summer palace and grounds. He poured huge piles of money into the construction of the Peterhof properties and grounds, which looked similar to France’s Versailles.

During World War II, the palace almost got ruined. It was reconstructed again with nearly similar details as before. Today, Peterhof Palace is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that tourists fly to Russia for a single glimpse of the palace. Set in lavish settings on the southern coast of the Finnish Gulf, Peterhof Palace is a must-visit attractions in Russia.

Top Things to See in Peterhof Palace

Peterhof is a marvelous place to visit in Russia. This UNESCO Heritage Site has so much to offer to its visitors. There are plenty of things to see and explore that truly highlight the illustrious history of St. Petersburg. Touring this palace will take you on a delightful journey that feels like walking in a fairytale-like castle. There are many things to see at Peterhof Palace in St. Petersburg. If you don’t know about these things, go through the list below:

1. Gardens of the Palace

The best part of the whole palace is its gardens. They add more allure to the beauty of this place. Imagine walking through the gardens with bare feet and feeling the softness of the grass below you. The unparalleled beauty of these gardens offers the beautiful landscapes you must capture in your heart & device forever. The yellow & white exterior of the palace and green gardens with vibrant flowers create the perfect backdrop for travelers to click pictures. The palace has two types of gardens: the upper gardens and the lower gardens.

The upper garden is the first thing you will see when you enter the palace. This garden has a beautiful geometrical path between the trees and white marble statues. The lower garden is situated between the palace and the seashore. Both gardens are majestic and adorn the overall beauty of Peterhof Palace, Russia.
 
2. Peterhof Palace Fountains

Fountains are the most exceptionally beautiful things to see in the palace. There are over 64 fountains in the palace, captivating the attention of tourists. Among them, one of the biggest fountains is the Samson fountains. This fountain symbolizes Russia's victory over Sweden in the Great Northern War. These fountains are mostly open during the summer months. The unique thing about these fountains is their shapes. Every fountain has its own unique shape and size that differ from one another. The other great fountain after Samson is the Grand Cascade before the Grand Palace. It is the first thing for tourists to see when arriving at Peterhof Palace by sea.

3. Marly Palace

Marly Palace is one of the favorite places of Peter the Great. Located on the west side of Lower Park, Marly Palace is one of the beautiful palaces in Peterhof Palace. This palace is isolated from the other buildings of the palaces of Peterhof. The building is dedicated to his trip to Marly Le Roi, France, in 1717. He loved the idea of a peaceful retreat and wanted to build one. Peter enjoyed his quaint stays in the charming house whenever he wanted to spend quality time. Today, Marly Palace is converted into a museum that houses all the beloved things that belong to Peter.

4. Monsplaisir Historical Palace Museum

Monsplaisir Place is another beloved palace of Peter the Great. It used to be a place for informal gatherings and entertainment with his friends & advisors. This palace is one of the most enchanting places in Peterhof Palace. From exquisite fountains to surreal gardens to all the beautiful things, Monsplaisir Palace is no wonder one of the captivating places inside the Peterhof complex. Monsplaisir is also a place of cultural influences that reflect Peter’s exposure to multiple cultures. You will witness Dutch Colonial motif exterior, Chinese Gardens, and much more.
 
5. St. Peter and Paul Cathedral

St. Peter and Paul Cathedral is one of the most-visited sites in Peterhof Palace, St. Petersburg. This orthodox cathedral is one way to Peterhof’s upper garden. The highlight of this palace is its marvelous architecture, which resembles St. Basil’s Cathedral. One of the reasons why it is most popular among tourists is because it is the burial site of Peter the Great.

Top Things to Do in Peterhof Palace

Peterhof is so big, vast, and unique that everyone would love to explore it. From various palaces to beautiful gardens to exceptional fountains to architecturally rich cathedrals, Peterhof offers everything you want to experience in this majestic palace complex. If you are wondering what you can enjoy at this palace, here is the list of things you must do:

1. Witness the beauty of Grand Cascade

Peterhof has hundreds of beautiful fountains and waterfall cascades. The water fountains are the main attractions in Peterhof. At the Peterhof Palace, you will see water splashing in multiple directions from the unique statues and fountain bases in the garden. One of the most unique fountains in the palace complex is where the Greek God is opening a lion’s jaws. It is located at the center of the Grand Cascade. It was established in the early 18th century and honors Russia’s victory against Sweden during the Northern War.

2. Admire the Interiors of the State Museum Preserve

The Peterhof Russia was built again after the end of World War II. The architects of this palace kept the interiors in their original state. The palace has lavish architectural art that blends Neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance facades. The interior of the palace looks as gorgeous as its exterior. Every inch of its interior depicts the ambiance of a luxurious life, finely etched with golden-glided artistic detail. Each room of the palace is creatively designed and adorned with elegant chandeliers. Admiring the pleasing architecture and interiors of Peterhof Palace is one of the best things to do.

3. Get Fresh Splash at Water Road

As there are so many fountains in the palace, tourists enjoy the splash of water everywhere as they walk inside the palace complex. One of the most enchanting waterworks is at Water Road, near the Monsplaisir Palace in the Lower Park region. There is a famous trick fountain that gets triggered by body sensors. It is the most significant architectural marvel of Peter the Great and his architect, N. Michetti. If you love to get soaked in water, it is one of the best things to do in Peterhof Palace, Russia.

4. Stroll within the Majestic Gardens of Peterhof

The gardens of Peterhof aren’t like the public or private gardens you see in the city. These gardens inside the complex are one-of-a-kind and please everyone with their vibrant hues of nature. There are three gardens in the Peterhof Palace’s complex: Upper Gardens, Lower Gardens, and Alexandria Park. The Lower Gardens were created by Le Blond, the architect. It is a significant attraction of the Palace that features historical buildings, waterfalls, and fountains. Next is Upper Gardens, which is smaller and adorned with flower beds around the large pools. It is located in front of the Grand Palace entrance. Last but not least is Alexandria Park, the most peaceful and romantic garden among the three. The main attractions in Alexandria Gardens are the wealth of greenery and the Gothic Chapel.
 
5. Try Russian Cuisine Near the Palace

The next thing you would love to do is eat the delicious food after exploring Peterhof Palace. For this, you must know the delicious cuisines you must try in Russia. Some famous Russian dishes are Blini, Borscht, Pelmeni, Kasha, etc. There are many more cuisines that you can try, but these are the most popular among tourists and locals alike. Some well-known places to eat near Peterhof are Kladovaya, Trapeza, Kolonnada, Gastropub Duck & Drake, etc.
 
Best Time to Visit Peterhof Palace, Russia

Although tourists can explore Peterhof throughout the year, some attractions remain open only during a certain period. And they are the water fountains. The popular water fountains are only open during the summer season. Therefore, the best time to visit Peterhof Palace in St. Petersburg is during the summer months. The fountains in the palace complex are in operation between May to October.

However, summer is the most crowded season. During the summer, most tourists flock to the palace. They make long queues for many attractions within the complex. The Peterhof Grand Palace timing is between 10:30 am and 7:00 p.m., except on Mondays.

Peterhof Palace Awaits Your Arrival!

You don’t know how only one visit to Peterhof can make you fall in love with it. Coming to this palace will always be a memorable experience. The sheer grandeur of this palace can mesmerize anyone. If you also want to experience the splendor of this palace, you should check out Dook’s St. Petersburg tour packages. We have a wide range of travel packages specially designed to provide our travelers with the best experience. Our travel experts ensure that tourists have the best time of their lives without any hassle. So, don’t look anywhere else and book Russia Trip with Dook!

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