The cultural capital of Russia - St. Petersburg -almost always associated with numerous museums, monuments, movable bridges, canals and stretched all night long twilight, which is commonly called white nights. However, in addition to cultural and natural wealth within the city, there are also beauty and architectural ensembles located in the suburbs. Tsarskoe Selo, Gatchina, Vasilievsky Island, Pushkin and many other places surrounding Peter are an undeniable and very valuable part of the history of not only the cultural capital, but the entire country as a whole.
I would like to dwell on one of thesesuburbs, where in the warm season all tourist groups strive to get there. This is Petrodvorets in St. Petersburg. Photos of this delightful place are often found on the spreads of world magazines about culture, art and architecture. However, not only tourists, but also the residents of the city are happy to spend their weekend at this place.
Magnificent unity of all art trends
The Capital of Fountains and Peterhof are also calledPetrodvorets in St. Petersburg. On its territory there is a delightful in its beauty park ensemble, a huge number of statues of ancient heroes, made of gilding and marble, and, of course, numerous fountains. All this combined with lush greenery turns the suburbs of the cultural capital into the most attractive tourist sightseeing place.
Petrodvorets in St. Petersburg is known for the wholepeace. The modern name was acquired after 1944. Prior to this, this ensemble was called Peterhof. The palace and park group is one of the greatest achievements of Russian national culture. It should be noted that architectural, cultural, sculptural and engineering solutions harmoniously combine here. This place is located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, thirty kilometers from the city, in a village called Peterhof.
Innovator and founder
Not only the park group itself is interesting, but alsothe history of its occurrence. Museum Petrodvorets in St. Petersburg was built in the early eighteenth century. He became a kind of witness to Russia's victory in the Northern War and its access to the Baltic Sea. The founder of the idea of creating a palace and park ensemble is the tsar and the emperor Peter I. His innovative ideas were famous all over the world. Thanks to him on the territory of the country there are many monuments of history and culture. It was Peter the Great who owned the artistic decisions and plans for the ensemble's design.
Construction and opening
In 1705, Peter I built on the Gulf of Finland socalled track mansions. Their appearance marked the beginning of the "Capital of Fountains". The first brick in the construction of the summer residence was laid in 1714. And its opening took place nine years later - in 1723. During this time, the Upper Garden and the Lower Park, the main elements of the Grand Cascade, the Grand Palace and the Monplaisir Palace were erected. Builders, architects, engineers, gardeners and many other professionals made a huge feat, erecting an unprecedented beauty of the monumental group in a relatively short time. To supply the fountains of the park ensemble, a special water conduit system was built, the basis of which were storage ponds. The author of this project is engineer Vasily Tuvolkov. The main feature of the water system of Petrodvorets is the complete absence of any pressure or pumping elements. The movement of the liquid is due to the difference in levels at which the fountains and storehouses are located.
State ownership
Petrodvorets in St. Petersburg owes itsthe emergence of thousands of mercenary workers, serfs, masters from all over the country. Caster, jewelers, artists, sculptors and other creators have put a piece of their soul into the creation of the ensemble. Petrodvorets in St. Petersburg continued its development for two centuries. New monuments, monuments appeared, the first elements of the palace and park group were renewed and restored.
In the mid-fifties of the XVIII century aroundThe complex began to appear various princely and royal residences, among which stood out Znamenka, Alexandria, English Park and Own Dacha. The February Revolution of 1917 introduced changes not only in the political, but also in the cultural development of the country. Thus, many monuments of art became state property. Petrodvorets in St. Petersburg did not avoid this fate either. Fountains, ponds, buildings and structures - all this became museum exhibits.
Nazi power
The park ensemble went through great difficultiesduring the Great Patriotic War. The sudden invasion of fascist troops was a shock to the government and civilians. It was ordered to evacuate all possible values from Petrodvorets as soon as possible. Monumental works of art, if possible, hidden in the ground. However, not all managed to save. On September 23, enemy troops occupied Peterhof. For more than two years, the historical heritage was under the rule of the fascists. Great and English palaces, Grand Cascade, Marley - it all turned into ruins. The Hermitage and Monplaisir suffered to a lesser extent. Every estate was ransacked, magnificent parks were cut down, waterworks were blown up. What worked for two centuries, died. After the retreat of the Nazi groups of Peterhof as a historical and cultural monument did not exist.
Risen from the ruins
In 1944, the ensemble was renamed.With the new name, the new life of Peter the Great began. Talented restorers have recreated their former glory. One of the greatest monuments of art is today Petrodvorets in St. Petersburg. Excursions are conducted both in the Grand Palace and in the Lower Park, as well as in the territory of the fountain group.
Journey and price of excursions
Ticket prices vary depending onage, benefits and citizenship. For foreign tourists, the price of an adult ticket is 550 rubles (for visiting the Grand Palace) and 500 rubles (Lower Park and fountains). This is 150 and 100 rubles. more than for Russian residents. Trips to the Grand Palace are held six days a week, except Mondays. Every last Tuesday of the month is also a holiday. You can visit this place from 10:30 to 18:00. However, it should be borne in mind that the ticket office closes at 17:00.
Фонтаны работают лишь в теплое время года.As a rule, the season starts in May and ends in September. On weekdays, you can visit the Lower Park and the fountains from 9:00 to 19:00, and on weekends the walk increases by an hour.
Enjoy great beauty and elegance.the historical complex, to see amazing sculptures and stunning fountains, Petrodvorets in St. Petersburg allows to touch the art of the XVIII century with benevolent generosity. The address where the ensemble is located is easy to remember: st. Adjustable, 2. You can get here by electric train, bus, taxi.