Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»
Location
29km west of St Petersburg
SIGHTS
PARK
ARK
LOWER PARK
9am-8pm, fountains 10am-6pm)
The vast palace and grounds you see today are a far cry
from the original cabin Peter the Great had built to oversee construction of his naval
base at Kronshtadt. He liked the place so much that he built a villa, Monplaisir, and
then a series of palaces across the estate. Now it's the palace grounds - with an in-
credible symphony of gravity-powered golden fountains, beautiful waterways and in-
teresting historical buildings - that make Peterhof St Petersburg's most popular day
trip.
Sadly, however, it's not cheap. Instead of buying one ticket to the entire park,
you're charged a general entry to the grounds and then again for every single thing
you'd like to see. You'll also pay at least 100% more than locals, so choose carefully.
Inexplicably, many museums also have different closing days, although all buildings
are open Friday to Sunday. All tours and posted information are in Russian, so buy an
information booklet at the kiosks near the entrances. Almost all of the buildings re-
quire an extra ticket to take photographs or videos.
CANAL
ANAL
WATER AVENUE
Crisscrossed by bridges and bedecked by smaller sprays, Water Ave is a canal leading
from the hydrofoil dock to the palace. It culminates in the magnificent
Grand Cas-
himself. The central statue of Samson tearing open a lion's jaws celebrates - as so
many things in St Petersburg do - Peter's victory over the Swedes at Poltava. Shoot-
ing up 62m, it was unveiled by Rastrelli for the 25th anniversary of the battle in 1735.
HIST
HISTORIC
ORICAL B
AL BUILDING
UILDING
GRAND PALACE
OFFLINE MAP
