The weight of Samson is 3,5 tones, the hight is 3 meters.

The Great Cascade accomplished with The Sea Channel, which is leading about 1 cubic meter of fresh water to The Gulf of Finland.

“Italian” and “French” fountains.

Originally, the creating of this fountains were commissioned to Italian brothers and to French master, who worked under command (lead) of architect Braunshtein, but soon Italian brothers had to leave their work and turn back to Italy. So, both fountains were finished by French master, but, despite of absolutely identical look, they have different names: the western one is called Italian, the eastern one is called French.

The first fountains were made of wood, that’s why they felt into disrepair soon. By the middle of 19 century they were changed with the white Carrara marble once, after the design of architect Shtackenshnaider,they were created on The Peterhof Granit Fabric. The total weight of each one is about 17 tones.

“Adam” and “Eva” fountains.

The sculptures for fountains were commissioned to Venetian master Giovanni Bonazza by Peter in 1717. The sculptures are the free replicas of the figures on the same subject, which are situated in The Doge’s Palace.

The allegory of Adam and Eve sculptures is clear for everybody. Adam and Eve were the first human on Earth. Peter and his wife Catherina were the first persons in the country, moreover, after the victory in Northern War, Russia got the status of Imperia and Peter became the first emperor in the history of Russia.

The original project of fountain was belonged to Miketti, it was finished by Braunshtein, but was not without Peter’s corrections. The Adam Fountain was finished in 1721, The Eve was finished only in 1726. It means, that Peter didn’t the sculptural allegory of his wife. He dead in 1725.

The pavilions (summerhouses) made after the Rastrelly project.

In 1941, before Nazi occupation, the sculptures were burred into the earth, thus they were saved.

“Monplaisir”. The eastern part of The Lower Garden.

Mon Plaisir (the French for “my pleasure”)- this name was traditionally given to the private 18- century country houses as opposed state residence. This palace, which is extending along coast of The Gulf Of Finland was the tsar’s favorite summer residence. He chose the site for it’s construction and gave the ideas of it’s design. Tsar was a solder, craftsmen, seamen, he had very strong temper (nature), he never did something without purpose. So, his favorite private “shelter” must be corresponded. And Mon Plaisir looks quite utilitarian, without baroque expressions, without different decorations on the facade.

Today, in the palace’s pavilions the collection of art is housing. The pictures was collected by Peter himself, during his several journeys in Europe and it reflects the artistic taste of its owner (host). There is among the pictures one work of Rubens, another works are housing in The Hermitage Museum.

The small “Monplaisir” garden in front of the palace was also planned by Peter. There are 5 fountains, the main is “Sheaf” fountain, which is in the center of the garden, surrounded by 24 water jets, arranged in 2 tiers, it formed the “sheaf” pattern of fountain. This fountain, in a shape of heavy sheaf is an allegory of wealth, prosperity and might of the Russian Empire. The “sheaf” fountain was made after the sketch of Peter.

As you can see the garden divided into 4 parts, in the center of each quarter the sculpture by Michetti installed. There are 2 copies of antic works- Apollo; Faun with a Kid. From another side there are the figures of Psyche and Bacchus. To the left from the Monplaisir there was another one small garden, where Peter grew the vegetables and potatoes, which he brought from Netherlands or Saxon. Later, his daughter Elizabeth ordered to build at the place of garden the stone two- storey house, which was created by architect Rastrelly in baroque style. The baroque interior and exterior doesn’t save d for nowadays. But we know, that when Catherin (future Catherin The Great) had been only a grand duchess she lived in the small wooden wing of this building and it was from the 28 June 1762,when she left Peterhof and went to St.Petersburg with one of the 5 brothers Alexey Orlov to lead the coup, that placed her on the throne. In memory of this event the building was named Catherin Block. Later, she ordered to reconstructed it in Neo-Classical style by Giacomo Quarenghi.

To the right from Monplaisir palace there is a small complex of buildings, dating from the 18^th 19^th century- this is The Bathhouse Block. From the early building in Peterhof, Peter ordered to make the wooden bathhouse, later it was rebuild in stone under the reign of his daughter. Under the reign of Emperor Alexander II, the Bathhouse block was redesigned again for his wife Maria Alexandrovna, who suffered from consumption and she was prescribed for the hydrotherapy.

The Pyramid Fountain.

In 1717Peter visited French suburb residence Versailles, where he was impressed with the fountain, made in a shape of pyramid. After his returning to Peterhof he described to Micketti this amazing fountain and after his words architect created the sketch of Russian Pyramid Fountain. The construction of fountain was lasted for 3 years, because of numerous changes, which were did by Peter. In result this fountain is significantly different from Versailles’s one. It is 4-sided pyramid (in Versailles 3-sided); there are 550 water jets; the high is 8 meters; faced with marble.

In the beginning of 18 century, there was a tradition in Russian Army to installed the obelisks in the places, where the battles was or in the end point of the way of army, so from the distance, it resembles an obelisk celebrating the end of the Northern War.

Under Peter I at the place, where “Sun” fountain is now located, the pound was dag, where the fish- farm with sturgeons were. Under Catherin II at this place the pool with a small fountain was constructed and later it was reconstructed again by Yury Velten, there are a lot of water jets (187) and 2 wheels. This hard construction was named “Sun” fountain.

Date: 2016-01-05; view: 926