The most unique cultural heritage of our country is Peterhof, which has been showing and proving its greatness for many years now. It is called the pearl of the elegant Russian Baroque. The "Russian Versailles" is located in a forested area on the way to the city of St. Petersburg.
The history of the farm palace in Peterhof begins in 1709, which corresponds to the period when the construction of the summer residence of Emperor Peter the Great began. At that time, access to the B altic Sea had already been acquired. The symbol of the greatness of the Russian state in the Gulf of Finland was embodied in the construction of this complex, beautiful and powerful at the same time. With the construction of the palace, Peter wanted to surpass the grandeur of Versailles itself, and he succeeded. Fountain structures have gained the status of world significance.
Fountains and water cascades
The first version of the "Russian Versailles" was planned in Strelna. To do this, it was necessary to change the level of river water by ten meters. However, the houses of local residents could be destroyedduring flooding. And so this idea had to be abandoned. The construction of fountains in Peterhof was built by the best specialists in hydraulic engineering for about a hundred years. The complex includes 173 fountains and 4 water cascades.
During the Second World War, the fountains were almost destroyed. It was possible to take out about 50 statues, also part of the interior of the palace. Large sculptures were buried, so they were partially preserved. Most of the sculptural works were destroyed by artillery shelling and bombing. Some were stolen by the Nazis and taken abroad. At the end of the war, it became possible to start the restoration, which is carried out to this day. The Grand Palace, Monplaisir and Marly Palace are being restored.
The "Big Cascade" fountain, which is the hallmark of Peterhof, is considered popular among tourists. The statue of the figure of Samson fighting a lion is at the head of the composition. A fountain spouts from the lion's mouth. The figure of Samson is symbolic and was placed as a memory of the battle of Poltava. The lion was depicted on the flag of the enemy. Samson defeats the lion.
The fountains of Peterhof use a water supply system from nature itself, which is regulated by locks and canals according to the law of communicating vessels. Pressure is created by using the difference in the water level in the reservoir and the height of the fountain itself. That is why the fountains in the upper park are low, while in the lower park the height of the fountain reaches more than 15 meters.
The pride of cultural Russia - Peterhof has magnificent parks, wonderful fountain installations, beautiful ponds and unforgettable palacefacilities.
Palace interiors
After almost a hundred years, a farm palace in Peterhof was erected for Alexander II in the town of Alexandria. The interior of the palace is made in the neo-Gothic style. He retained moments of the charm of a dacha outside the city. The reconstruction of the dacha was carried out specifically for the wedding celebration of the emperor. Two floors with an attic were built above the house, the female and male halves appeared in the royal chambers. As a result of the reconstruction, the house became like a palace.
In terms of the backyard plot, a platform was provided with flower beds around the veranda, greenery, beautifully wrapping around the columns. In the center of the garden there was a composition of a fountain with a pool and a bronze statue "Night".
Interiors of the hall
- The atmosphere in the rooms of Maria, the wife of Alexander II, is uniquely, comfortably and harmoniously conveyed. The clarity and expressiveness of style are reflected in the imperial chambers. The grandeur of the Blue Cabinet is striking; the decoration of the ceiling has remained in its original form to this day. The blue cabinet "saw" the ministers, "heard" the discussion of military battles.
- To this day, there are things that never left this place. In the chambers of the Empress, it is worth admiring the marble bathroom. In the same place, the elevator manual mechanism has preserved its originality.
In the farm palace of Peterhof
The emperor's family spends the summer months here, eating food from their farm. Here the emperor calmly retires and rests.
And this is where history is made with a capital letter. Here,in the Farm Palace in Peterhof, the famous Manifesto on the abolition of serfdom in Russia is being created.
Legend house
Initially, in Alexandria there was only a dairy farm with a small country house. The farm performed the function of raising livestock. The farm had attendants, consisting of German cowsheds and a shepherd. The management of the household was entrusted to the English housekeeper.
One wing of the house was occupied by cows, the second wing was occupied by a boy, the future Emperor Alexander II. The cottage next door was occupied by his father, Nicholas the First, Emperor of Russia. For all the inhabitants of the legendary house, then it was the Alexandria dacha with all the buildings adjacent to it.
The English-style farm palace in Peterhof was founded by Emperor Alexander the First. He spent the happiest days in the palace with his family. The heirs lived two people in one room. As adults, they became the heirs of their six acres.
Here they lived in a simple way, as anyone is comfortable. The two halves of the house were independent of each other. The only common room was the dining room.
Different times, different hosts
Address of the farm palace in Peterhof: Alexandria Park, 19, Peterhof.
In 1828-1831 became the starting point. The construction of a pavilion commissioned by Alexander Nikolayevich, Emperor of Russia, is underway. The house is constantly being rebuilt and becomes a country palace for Alexander II.
Before the revolutionary events of 1917, grown-up children and grandchildren of Alexander II and Maria Alexandrovna, Alexander III and his son Nicholas II, lived there. The revolution turned the palace into a museum object, later - into a rest home for workers. During the Great Patriotic War, a German headquarters with a bunker was made from a farm palace.
In peacetime, until the seventies, the Farm Palace in Peterhof serves as a hostel for the working people, and after the seventies it is empty and dilapidated. In the eighties, the Farm Palace acquired the status of a "museum" and became part of the museums of Peterhof.
After 2011, the palace found its second life. The building appeared almost one to one to the original version. Detailed descriptions of the interior were found, the original painting on the ceilings was partially preserved. There are spare rolls of original wallpaper in the attic.
Working hours of the Farm Palace in Peterhof
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday are days off. Saturday, Sunday - 10:30-17:00.
Conclusion
You can travel for hours and take photos of the Farm Palace in Peterhof. Together with the photographs, the light mood of the life of the village will remain in the memory. Household items tell about interesting stories of those times, reveal the secrets of the life of the imperial family from an unofficial point of view. Gifting a few pleasant hours spent in the cozy Farm Palace of St. Petersburg is a great idea for yourself and your loved ones.
It will be useful to read reviews about the Farm Palace in Peterhof, which are filled witha variety of emotions and impressions of those who have already been lucky enough to visit this wonderful place. Among the reviews you can find a lot of things that concern not only the appearance of the palace, but the interior decoration. It is worth noting that there are no negative impressions regarding this building. It is also worth saying that there are a lot of interesting things inside, so it will be useful to take children here on an excursion. They will not only be able to walk through the imposing halls, but also get acquainted with the history of the eighteenth century.
