Peterhof - Upper Garden & Lower Park, St. Petersburg

Peterhof often called the “Russian Versailles,” is one of Russia’s grandest royal estates and a lasting symbol of imperial ambition. Located about 30 km west of St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland, it was founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1710 as a summer residence. The layout and design, inspired by the grandeur of Versailles instantly reminded me of my previous visit to Versailles in August 2014 (Read here). Peterhof combines Baroque elegance with remarkable engineering ingenuity.

Aerial view of Peterhof.
Photo, courtesy of an online source.

The Grand Cascade.
Photo, courtesy of an online source.

The Peterhof complex covers a massive 1,000 hectares (around 10 sq. km.), encompassing its grand palaces, vast gardens, ornate fountains, and sweeping parklands. Painstakingly restored after the devastation of World War II, Peterhof today stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each summer, thousands of visitors flock here to marvel at its dazzling water displays, architectural splendor, and meticulously designed landscape.

It was just before 10:30 a.m. on 16.09.2025 when we arrived at Peterhof, ready to explore this remarkable symbol of imperial heritage. Our visit began at the Upper Garden, a beautifully laid-out 15-hectare formal garden featuring symmetrical flowerbeds, tranquil ponds, and elegant fountains inspired by the French style of Versailles. After taking in its refined beauty, we proceeded through the paid entrance to the Lower Park - the heart of Peterhof’s grandeur, where the famous Grand Cascade and glittering fountains awaited.

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From the entrance at the Upper Garden, we followed a gently descending path that led us toward the vast Lower Park, which spans about 102 hectares. This magnificent park stretches all the way to the Gulf of Finland, adorned with more than 150 fountains, cascades, and gilded statues that shimmer in the sunlight. What makes Peterhof truly remarkable is its ingenious fountain system - an 18th-century engineering marvel that operates entirely without pumps. Instead, it relies on a network of underground pipes, gravity, and the natural pressure of nearby springs to power every fountain in perfect harmony, just as it did in Peter the Great’s time.

The local guide explained in detail the ingenious gravity-fed fountain system of Peterhof - one of the greatest achievements of early modern hydraulic engineering. Conceived by Tsar Peter the Great in the early 18th century, the entire network operates without pumps, relying solely on gravity to power over 150 fountains across the gardens.

Water is sourced from natural springs in the Ropsha Heights, about 22 km south of Peterhof and nearly 90 m higher than the palace. This elevation provides the pressure needed to drive the powerful water jets. From the heights, water flows through aqueducts, canals, and underground pipes to the Upper Gardens, where it is stored in ponds serving as regulating reservoirs. A network of conduits then channels the water to the Lower Gardens, supplying the Grand Cascade, the Samson Fountain, and other displays. The elevation difference generates enough pressure to propel jets up to 20 m high.

Even today, after centuries of restoration, the Peterhof fountains still function on the same gravity-fed principle envisioned by Peter the Great - a remarkable union of art, architecture, and natural science.

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Interestingly, we noticed numerous nude male and female sculptures displayed throughout Peterhof - a striking contrast to the conservative religious imagery associated with the Russian Orthodox faith so prominent in Moscow.

The figures themselves, often depicting gods, goddesses, and mythological heroes, reflect the Greek ideals of beauty, harmony, and human perfection. These classical themes had long been central to European art, symbolizing intellectual refinement and cultural sophistication. Yet, the manner in which these sculptures are presented at Peterhof - gilded, incorporated into elaborate fountain ensembles, and set within richly decorated interiors - reveals the influence of French Baroque and Rococo styles, inspired by the grandeur of Versailles.

Ultimately, these works embody a fusion of classical Greek and Roman artistic traditions with French Baroque elegance, mirroring Peter the Great’s deep admiration for Western Europe and his ambition to showcase Russia as a modern, enlightened empire.

Majestic oak trees line the walkways of the Lower Park, their fallen leaves carpeting the ground in shades of gold and brown. Our guide cheerfully asked us to pick a few dry oak leaves as keepsakes - a simple yet charming souvenir of Peterhof’s beauty.

Peterhof extends all the way to the shore of the Gulf of Finland.