ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

Peterhof was conceived by Peter the Great to rival Versailles in splendour. Nowadays the residence, with its parks and fountains, is included in the UNESCO list of the world’s most precious historical sights. Several hours could be spent enjoying the extravaganza of the dazzling fountain display.

A short coach ride and then a 30 minute journey by hydrofoil will take us to Peterhof – one of the summer residences of the Russian Tsars – 18 miles from St Petersburg. It is located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. Peterhof was conceived by Peter the Great to rival Versailles in splendour. Nowadays the residence, with its parks and fountains, is included in the UNESCO list of the world’s most precious historical sights. Several hours could be spent enjoying the extravaganza of the dazzling fountain display. A true wonder of engineering, the fountains are fed by underground springs of the Ropsha Hills some 21 kilometres (13 miles) away. From the sea we can enjoy the majestic panorama unfolding before us, with the Grand Palace towering on a natural terrace 16 metres (52 feet) high. The Grand Cascade glistens with gilded sculptures and silvery water jets. In the centre of the pool in front of the Grand Cascade, The Samson Fountain, Rending the Jaws of a Lion – a symbolic representation of Russia’s victory over Sweden in the Northern War – spurts upwards. From there, the water of the Cascade flows along the canal, straight as an arrow to the sea. The canal is lined by 22 fountains and divides the park into two parts – the west (Marly) and the east (Monplaisir). The Grand Cascade comprises three waterfalls and an avenue of 64 fountains and 37 gilt statues. Their powerful jets make a majestic crystal-like colonnade. We will walk to parts of the Lower Park to see the great variety of fountains there – including the Chessboard Hill Cascade. Four sloping cascade terraces are patterned with black and white squares – giving the cascade its name. On the topmost terrace three dynamic figures of dragons can be seen. To the west of the canal is another fountain ensemble – The Golden Hill Cascade. Its construction began by order of Peter I after he saw a similar construction in Marly Park near Paris. This cascade has 22 steps covered with copper gilded laminas and antique statues. The parks are brought to life with numerous pavilions, sculptural compositions and intricately shaped foot-bridges. In the depths of the park there are two similarly decorated fountains that were elements in the original layout, so are the earliest (over 250 years old). Adam is in the east and Eve in the west. The sculptures adorning the fountains are copies of Antonio Rizzi’s works which decorate the Doge’s Palace in Venice. The return to our ship will be by coach.

This tour is not suitable for passengers with limited mobility or wheelchair users. We will be walking or standing for approximately two hours and have at least 60 steps to negotiate. The terrain in the Park is uneven, gravel and cobblestones. There is usually a charge to use toilet facilities – in 2007 this was 50 cents ($ / €). Please note that it cannot be guaranteed that the fountains will be functioning during our visit, due to unforeseen circumstances. We may arrive by coach and return by hydrofoil if necessary, and if the conditions are too rough we will make both journeys by coach instead. It should be noted that the Palace is not visited.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2008 SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC CRUISES