Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
Большой дворец
; adult/student R500/250, audioguide R500; 10.30am-noon &
2.30-4.15pm Tue-Sun, closed last Tue of month)
The Grand Palace is an imposing edifice,
although with 30-something rooms, it's not as large as many tsarist palaces. It's open
to foreign tourists only between 10.30am and noon, and 2.30pm to 4.15pm, so come
here first if you're interested in going inside. Tickets are sold near the lobby where
you pick up your
tapochki
(slippers to wear over shoes to avoid damaging the wooden
floors).
While Peter's palace was relatively modest, Rastrelli grossly enlarged the building
for Empress Elizabeth. Later, Catherine the Great toned things down a little with a re-
decoration, although that's not really apparent from the glittering halls and art-filled
galleries that are here today. All of the paintings, furniture and chandeliers are origin-
al, as everything was removed from the premises before the Germans arrived. The
Chesme Hall is full of huge paintings of Russia's destruction of the Turkish fleet at
Çesme in 1770. Other highlights include the East and West Chinese Cabinets, Picture
Hall and Peter's study.
After WWII, Peterhof was largely left in ruins. Hitler had intended to throw a party
here when his plans to occupy the Astoria Hotel were thwarted. He drew up pompous
invitations, which obviously incensed his Soviet foes. Stalin's response was to pre-
empt any such celebration by bombing the estate himself, in the winter of 1941-42.
So it is ironic but true that most of the damage at Peterhof occurred at the hands of the
Soviets. What you see today is largely a reconstruction; in fact, the main palace was
completely gutted, as only a few of its walls were left standing.
HIST
HISTORIC
ORICAL B
AL BUILDING
UILDING
MONPLAISIR
OFFLINE MAP
(
Монплезир
; adult/student R360/180, combined ticket for 3 buildings adult/student R1000/
500; 10.30am-5pm Tue & Thu-Sun May-Sep, Sat & Sun Oct-Apr)
This far more humble,
sea-facing villa was always Peter the Great's favourite retreat. It's easy to see why:
it's wood-panelled, snug and elegant, peaceful even when there's a crowd - which
there used to be all the time, what with Peter's mandatory partying ('misbehaving'
guests were required to gulp down huge quantities of wine).
(
Екатерининский корпус
; adult/student R360/180; 10.30am-6pm)
, which was built
by Rastrelli between 1747 and 1755. Its name derives from the fact that Catherine the
Great was living here - rather conveniently - when her husband Peter III was over-
