Peterhof Palace and Estate - St Petersburg

One of St. Petersburg's most famous and popular visitor attractions, the palace and park at Peterhof (also known as Petrodvorets) are often referred to as "the Russian Versaille", although many visitors conclude that the comparison does a disservice to the grandeur and scope of this majestic estate. Versailles was, however, the inspiration for Peter the Great's desire to build an imperial palace in the suburbs of his new city and, after an aborted attempt at Strelna, Peterhof - which means "Peter's Court" in German - became the site for the Tsar's Monplaisir Palace, and then of the original Grand Palace. The estate was equally popular with Peter's granddaughter, Empress Elizabeth, who ordered the expansion of the Grand Palace and greatly extended the park and the famous system of fountains, including the truly spectacular Grand Cascade. Improvements to the park continued throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Catherine the Great, after leaving her own mark on the park, moved the court to Pushkin, but Peterhof once again became the official Imperial Residence in the reign of Nicholas I, who ordered the building of the modest Cottage Palace in 1826. Like almost all St. Petersburg's suburban estates, Peterhof was ravaged by German troops during the Second World War. It was, however, one of the first to be resurrected and, thanks to the work of military engineers and over 1,000 volunteers, most of the estate's major structures had been fully restored by 1947. The name was also de-Germanicized after the war, becoming Petrodvorets, the name under which the surrounding town is still known. The palace and park are once again known as Peterhof. The grounds of Peterhof Palace and Estate. The huge golden fountain. Marina standing infront of the church and fountain. The large canal. The Church. Balancing on the roofs - The Gulf of Finland. Marina relaxing on the rocks. Suzanne standing in front of the Peterhof palace and fountain. Suzanne and Jenni at the pyramid fountain. Peter the Great statue. The grounds of the Peterhof Estate. More fountains! Suzanne, Jenni and Marina standing on the bridge at the Peterhof Palace and Estate. The duck and dog fountain. Suzanne and Marina on the beach - Peterhof Palace and Estate. More beautiful buildings in the Peterhof Palace and Estate. Suzanne in front of the fountain and the palace and museum. The golden turtle fountain. Suzanne under the novelty fountain. Jenni infront of the fountain. Suzanne on the wharf at Peterhof Palace and Estate Look at all the gold. The lovely beach. The view from above the fountain. The amazing Peterhof Palace and Estate Museum Suzanne, Jenni and Marina on the boat to the Peterhof Palace and Estate.