Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
queue. The menu is packed with Russian classics and there's also a good cake selec-
tion.
RUSSIAN
SSIAN
MONPLAISIR CAFÉ €
OFFLINE MAP
(mains R200-350; 10am-6pm)
For a quick sandwich or snack, head to this pleasant
cafe next to Peter's favourite retreat. A few outdoor tables catch the breeze off the
Gulf.
RUSSIAN
SSIAN
KAFE DVORTSOVOYE €€
OFFLINE MAP
(
Кафе Дворцовое
; mains R350-700; 10am-6pm)
If you want to eat in the palace it-
self, then this fancy cafe is for you. Prices are high, but you're paying for the location
- a stone's throw from the entrance to the Grand Palace.
STRELNA СТРЕЛЬНА
The small village of Strelna, about 6km east of Peterhof, is the site of another
palace dreamed up by Peter I. Although construction began in the 18th century,
current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin deserves credit for completing this project.
Peter's original plan was to construct a small palace surrounded by water, for
use as a summer home. He commissioned Jean Baptiste LeBlond to build the
palace and park, but the famed French architect died before he made much pro-
gress on the project. Work came to a standstill when Peter turned his attention
to Peterhof, as that site was better suited for his fountain fantasy. Years later, at
the request of Empress Elizabeth, her favourite architect Rastrelli attempted to
expand and elaborate on the existing palace at Strelna. But he too was distrac-
ted - this time by construction at Tsarskoe Selo - and it was never really fin-
ished. In 1797 Emperor Paul I presented this half-built palace to his son, Grand
Duke Constantine Pavlovich. Construction of the Konstantinovsky Palace was fi-
nally completed several years later.
