So – Peter the Great began the city of St. Petersburg at the Fortress of Peter and Paul and extended into the ‘suburbs’ with Catherine Palace and a little palace at Peterhof referred to as Russia’s Versailles. Continuing to be impressed with the French, Peter built this magnificent 18th century palace set amongst beautiful fountains and parklands in the style of Versailles.

Peterhof sits along the Gulf of Finland west of the city atop a hill that tapers down to the water. The drive up to the palace is impressive – but nothing like the view out the back looking over the 150 fountains contained on the grounds. The pictures speak for themselves – –

Welcome!

This is only the front!!

Once again, there is more gold and artwork than you can imagine exists —

It appears there are hundreds of rooms.

For some reason the men’s beds were always smaller than the women’s?? So – this was Peter’s with his ‘throne’ just to the left (you, of course, know what ‘throne’ this was!!)

And now to the really beautiful part. The ‘backyard’ with the sweeping waterway to the Gulf of Finland. There is quite a ceremony that goes with the turning on of the fountains – all at once at 11AM daily. There are no pumps – all is done hydraulically with a complex system partially created by Peter, who was something of a scientist.

Our happy little group;-)

Needless to say, after the somewhat miserable rain of the first day, we were all ecstatic about this beautiful day to explore the magnificent grounds of Peterhof;-). Can hardly wait to see what tomorrow brings.

E & G thoroughly enjoying St. Petersburg