Tour of Magnificent Peterhof Palace and its Spectacular Fountains

The magnificence of Peterhof, Peter the Great's summer imperial palace on the Gulf of Finland on Baltic Sea, is somewhat reminiscent of Versailles near Paris. Peter the Great visited Versailles in 1717 and he returned to Saint Petersburg with many ideas for enhancing his own summer palace and grounds, which were already under construction. Peterhof Palace sits in 1500-acres of formal gardens and park 18 miles from Saint Petersburg, and its 173 glorious fountains are fed by underground springs that are 14 miles away. Like the Catherine summer palace, Peterhof was almost in ruins following World War II. However, many photos of Peterhof allowed reconstruction of the magnificent palace and park.Most visitors to Peterhof come with an organized group or guide for a half-day tour, riding a hydrofoil for 45 minutes along the Neva River one way and a tour bus the other. As shown in these photos, Peterhof and its park are well worth the visit.

Most visitors to Peterhof travel the 18 miles to the Grand Palace and Park with an organized group. The groups use a hydrofoil such as this one to zip down the Neva River to Peterhof's setting on the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea. The hydrofoil trip takes about 30-45 minutes. Seeing the Peterhof Grand Palace, fountains, and park from the water is breathtaking.

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Peterhof Park and Formal Gardens at Peterhof Palace

The grounds of Peterhof are filled with statuary and fountains.

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Peterhof Grand Palace

Exterior View of Peterhof — Peterhof Photo (c) Linda Garrison

Much of Peterhof was designed by Rastrelli, the architect of the Winter Palace (Hermitage Museum) in St. Petersburg, so the style is similar.

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Main Staircase at Peterhof

Walking up the staircase in Peterhof's Grand Palace brings thoughts to mind of the thousands of imperial guests and royals who also entered the same palace.

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Throne Room of Peterhof

Every palace must have a throne room!

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Imperial Dining Room at Peterhof

One of the many elaborate dining rooms in the Grand Palace at Peterhof.

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Peterhof - Drawing Room with Ornate Wallcovering in the Grand Palace at Peterhof

Can you imagine what this wall covering might cost today?

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Entryway and Main Staircase of Peterhof

Every grand palace must have a grand entry, and Peterhof certainly has its share of gold leaf.

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Peterhof Breakfront Cabinet and Ceramic Stove in the Peterhof Grand Palace

Breakfront Cabinet and Ceramic Stove in the Peterhof Grand Palace near St. Petersburg, Russia — Peterhof Photo (c) Linda Garrison

These ceramic stoves were very popular in imperial Russia and are seen in many grand palaces such as Peterhof, the Catherine Palace, and even in Uglich.

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