Located 29 km south-west of St. Petersburg, Petrodvorets  is widely known as “the capital of fountains” and as one of the world’s most grandiose architectural and park ensembles.

The construction of the tsar’s seaside summer residence was started by Peter the Great in May 1714, when the foundation of the Monplaisir Palace and that of the Upper chambers were laid. In 1747 -1752 the Upper chambers were fully reconstructed and turned, to Rastrelli’s design, into the Grand  Palace. Frequently named Peterhof, (“Peter’s yard” in German), the palace gave its name to the whole palace and park complex and to a small nearby town. During WW II Peterhof was badly damaged  and a considerable part of the collections displayed in its palaces and pavilions was stolen by Nazis. At these days, due to great restoration that is lasting for over 60 years, very few traces of the war can be noticed there.
In 1944 the German name of the complex and the town was changed, for the evident reason, to Petrodvorets, which is the Russian equivalent for Petrhof.
In accordance with Peter’s wish the residence was planned to compete the splendour of Versailles. Quite evidently, several generations of the most talented architects, engineers and craftsmen made Peter’s wish a magnificent reality.

The Grand Palace and the Grand cascade are uniting the structures of Petrodvorets into a single whole. The façade of the palace is nearly 300 metres long. It is one of the world’ s most interesting history and architecture museums, displaying the unique Russian, West European and Oriental art collections. The grandiose cascade is decorated with 64 fountains, 37 statues, 29 bas-reliefs and over 150 small adornments. Totally, the world’s largest fountain water system of Petrodvorets numbers over 130 fountains.
Built on the sea shore, the Monplaisir Palace was Peter I’s favourite place for giving state receptions.  The Hermitage pavilion, as well as Marli pavilion and the Cottage palace, are also worthy visiting.

           

Open: 10:30 – 17:00

Closed on Mondays and on the last Tuesday of every month.

Address: 2, Razvodnaya street., Petrodvorets.
(It can be reached by local trains and by minibus # 404 from Vitebsky Rail Station in St.  
Petersburg, or by minibus # 420 from metro station  ‘Prospekt Veteranov’)

Phone: +7 (812) 420 00 73

www.peterhof.ru