| Peterhof, Russia is a small suburb of the | | | | gardens one could hope to see. Peter and |
| former Imperial capitol of Russia. It is | | | | later Tsars were well served by some of the |
| located a pleasant one hour hydro-foil ride | | | | most talented architects that ever lived. The |
| across a portion of the Baltic Sea from St. | | | | illustrious list includes Alexander Le Blond, |
| Petersburg. In the winter one needs to go by | | | | Johann Braunstein, Niccolo Michetti, and |
| electric train or by some sort of wheeled | | | | Mikhail Zemstov. The grounds are sprinkled |
| transport. It is a fact that Peterhof has | | | | with the sculptors of Carlo Bartolomeo |
| literally thousands of sister city | | | | Rastrelli and one of the greatest fountain |
| relationships across the world. Peter I | | | | masters of all time, Paul Sualem. The |
| started it all when he chose the spot on | | | | fountains form a wonderful combination of |
| which his palace rests as a recreational spot | | | | whimsical and changing pattern of water jets |
| when sailing the Baltic. It is for sure that | | | | and streams that culminate with the Samson |
| once upon a time it was a favorite spot for | | | | Fountain and the Grand Cascade. The Grand |
| him to use as a duck hunting spot. His | | | | Cascade consists of 241 statues and other |
| interest in Peterhof began in 1705 and in | | | | forms of world class sculpture. Even though |
| 1714 he began to build his fabulous palace | | | | German invaders stole some of the most famous |
| complex.On 15 August, 1723, Peter celebrated | | | | originals they have been painstakingly |
| the opening of the grand cascade and the | | | | recreated. The Neptune Fountain in front of |
| sixteen fountains that to this day still | | | | the palace is a little like the German |
| dominate the landscape. In the last three | | | | fountain at Ludwigsberg but larger and more |
| hundred years ongoing work has made this one | | | | grand.The Monplaisir Complex consists of a |
| of the most famous in the world. The palace | | | | number of small pavilions erected by Peter |
| is a fantastic and beautiful example of | | | | the Great and was one of his favorite |
| Russian Baroque architecture filled with | | | | recreational places. To be able to see this |
| beautiful rooms and marvelous art. From the | | | | marvelous combination of architecture and |
| very beginning Peterhof was a source of | | | | nature in full bloom is a treat that makes |
| amazement to both foreign visitors and | | | | the trip to Russia more than worth while. The |
| Russian alike. I have been there on dozens of | | | | same may be said of the brilliant fall colors |
| occasions and in all seasons of the year. I | | | | and the stately white blanket of snow that |
| have never been disappointed and felt as if I | | | | covers everything in winter. There are |
| had seen enough of this spectacular | | | | several fish ponds built on the grounds as |
| setting.As beautiful and endearing as the | | | | well as a small Hermitage. There are just too |
| palace is what makes this one of the finite | | | | many beautiful features to list in this |
| wonders of the world is the ingenuity and | | | | newsletter but believe me Peterhof must be |
| planning that went into the magnificent | | | | seen to be believed! I only hope as many |
| fountains and the grounds. The grounds are a | | | | people that can go to Peterhof will take |
| marvelous combination of nature allowed to | | | | advantage of this marvelous |
| flourish and grow in a natural state mixed | | | | opportunity.Michael E. |
| with the most beautifully groomed formal | | | | |