Peterhof Palace is located about an hours drive southwest of St. Petersburg. Simply amazing. To my mind it is like Versailles in Paris on steroids. Commissioned by Peter the Great and completed in 1829, this extravaganza of which I had never heard of up until a couple of weeks ago, is astonishing. Another exorbitant residence of a palatial grandeur with more gold decorated ball rooms, chandeliers, late 18th and early 19th century furnishings and paintings too numerous to mention. However there is one more feature which sets this estate apart. The 300 acre Peterhof Park with it's 37 guilded statues and 168 fountains is one of a kind. We marvel at spouting water canons, cascading around ornate statues, and hurry to take in as many of them as possible. All of the fountains to this day operate by the force of gravity. There are no pumps and most of the original pipes are still in use today. We could have spent the day here but have to get back for another outing.
We have been discovering this unique city by foot but this afternoon it is to be a canal tour, which is next on the itinerary. I always love going through the city centres by boat and this is no exception. Whether it be Amsterdam or Venice, the historical St. Petersburg has it's own special feel to it. We navigate many of the canals and the River Neva as we pass beneath some of the 320 bridges. Your eyes dart back and forth as another palace is passed or a park is encountered. More monuments and gardens. Another church and another canal bridge passed under. A jostling of river boats full of tourists and locals alike on a bright, warm sunny September afternoon. Just a wonderful day which will be remembered for years to come.
We have been discovering this unique city by foot but this afternoon it is to be a canal tour, which is next on the itinerary. I always love going through the city centres by boat and this is no exception. Whether it be Amsterdam or Venice, the historical St. Petersburg has it's own special feel to it. We navigate many of the canals and the River Neva as we pass beneath some of the 320 bridges. Your eyes dart back and forth as another palace is passed or a park is encountered. More monuments and gardens. Another church and another canal bridge passed under. A jostling of river boats full of tourists and locals alike on a bright, warm sunny September afternoon. Just a wonderful day which will be remembered for years to come.
Gawd! The luxury, opulence and richness of pre Cummunist Russia is unbelievable! The disparity between the rich and working class poor laid the groundwork for Lenin and his communist movement of early 20th century...
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