During the communist reign in Russia, architectural styles could best be described as bland. Fortunately, the summer palace of Peter the Great wasnt affected.
Peterhof
Known as Peterhof, the summer palace of Peter the Great is a very impressive area. The palace is arranged with a central rectangle format over roughly two or three acres. This area is then surrounded by areas of wood and nature as the Russians call it. Peterhof stands out like a jewel among the bland communist structures found in greater St. Petersburg.
Fountains, Fountains, Fountains
At the time of construction in 1715, Peter the Great was clearly in his fountain phase. Peterhof isnt so much a palace as a collection of some of the most impressive fountains youve ever seen. There are fountains in the front, back, each side, in the bathroom and so on. All of them are impressive and worth a look.
Foremost of the fountains of Peterhof is the Great Cascade. Arriving from St. Petersburg by boat, one is offloaded on a long pier at the end of the Grand Canal. The Grand Canal cuts through the woods surrounding Peterhof directly to the front of the palace. As you proceed, you start to...