| Peterhof Петергоф | ||
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Coat of arms and flag   | ||
| State | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | 48.3 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 85.717 (census 2020) | |
| Prefix tel | 7 812 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 198510, 198516, 198517 | |
| Time zone | UTC 3 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Peterhof (Петергоф, ex Petrodvorec/Петродворец) is a city of the Russia famous for the complex of palaces and gardens built by Peter the Great and known as the "Russian Versailles".
To know
The city is famous for a series of palaces and gardens known as the Peterhof Palace, set up by order of Peter the Great, and sometimes called the "Versailles Russia ", but also for the" Petrodvorets-Raketa Watch Factory ", which boasts 300 years of Russian watchmaking. The palace complex together with the city center is recognized as World Heritage. The area was heavily damaged during the Second World War during the occupation by the Germany Nazi. The reconstruction efforts began almost immediately after the war and are still ongoing. Peterhof also houses one of the two campuses of the State University of St.Pietroburgo.
Sometimes it is useful to talk about New Peterhof (Новый Петергоф or Novy Peterhof) which is located in the area of palaces and parks and Old Peterhof (Старый Петергоф or Stary Peterhof) which is that area to the west, on the way to Lomonosov.
Background
Peterhof is a word Dutch and German which means "Court of Pietro". Peter was fascinated by the West and assumed many of its customs at his court, passed on to the Julian calendar, and so on. The influence of the West.Western Europe it is abundant in the Peterhof. Peter played an active role in the layout and design of Peterhof which he began in 1714, although it continued to be developed after his death. In 1721 Peter the Great also founded Peterhof Fabric next to his palace which later became the "Petrodvorets-Raketa Watch Factory" which has been producing since 1962 the famous Russian watches under the "Raketa" brand in honor of Yuri Gagarin.
Before the occupation German of Peterhof, attempts were made to remove or bury the treasures of Peterhof. The efforts have been somewhat successful. Despite attempts, the area was extensively looted, vandalized and damaged during the war. It was renamed Petrodvorets (Петродворец, Peter's Palace) after World War II due to anti-German sentiment. In 1997 it was renamed Петергоф (Peterhof).
How to orient yourself
Peterhof (Russia): full screen map.
How to get
Visitors on a package tour are likely to have Peterhof on their itinerary.
By car
Highway 
running from east to west.
In Taxi it might be expensive, however you can use the Yandex.Taxi or GetTaxi mobile apps to get a fixed (and much lower) price.
Visitors can take a hydrofoil between Peterhof and St.Pietroburgo. Tickets can be purchased behind the Hermitage Museum (also known as the Winter Palace) on the Neva River. The time to reach Peterhof is approximately 45 minutes. It is the fastest and most expensive way (around 450 RUB for a ticket) to get from St. Petersburg to Peterhof. The trip is often advertised because it offers great views. Some, however, find this to be a disappointing exaggeration.
There are two hydrofoil companies (Russian Cruises, 450 руб one-way ticket e Vodokhod), each offering a discounted fare for a return ticket if their company's original ticket is present. However, from time to time one of them goes out of order, which leads to paying the full amount for the return trip as well.
If you arrive by hydrofoil and want to leave the lower park to eat out, there is a way on how to return without paying the entrance fee for the second time. Ask for details upon arrival at the ticket office at the pier.
On the train
Commuter trains depart frequently from Baltisky's station St.Pietroburgo, taking about 45 minutes. The most convenient station to disembark is 1 New Peterhof. Look carefully at the station signs and know the Cyrillic spelling in advance as there are no announcements or signs on the train. After getting off the train, take one of the buses that park in the square in front of the train station. The numbers are 350, 351, 352, 356. The fifth stop is the right one: the Peterhof parks. You can also walk from the station to the park in about 40 minutes. Look at the route in advance: there are no signs in the city.
Keep in mind that commuter trains from Baltisky station follow different routes, so you have to take the train to Oranienbaum 1 (Ораниенбаум 1), Kalische (Калище), Lebyazhye (Лебяжье) or directly to Nuovo Peterhof.
By bus
Buses run from Baltisky station to Peterhof. Tickets are cheap and buses run frequently. Bus number 200 takes you to the fountains and the palace.
By subway
Take the metro to the "Avtovo" station (red line), cross the street and take one of the many minibuses, eg. К424, К300. Or take the metro to "Leninskiy Prospekt" station, К224. They all have a big sign "ФОНТАНЫ" which means "fountains". The minibus will take you directly to the Parco Superiore entrance in 30 minutes. Don't forget to tell the driver where you want to get off the bus. The minibus will cost around 55 RUB.
How to get around
Walking is the most practical way to get around Peterhof.
By car
There is a gas station in Novy Peterhof (near the old watch factory, which used to be called Petrodvortsovy Chasovoi Zavod).
What see
The historical ensemble of Peterhof offers the visitor a suburban atmosphere with many parks, gardens, fountains and palaces to see.
- 1 Upper park (Also known as Upper Gardens).
Free visit. This area constitutes the terrestrial approach to the whole. Originally, the upper park was quite functional: vegetables were grown and the ponds were supplied with fish. By the mid-18th century, however, it would become more like a formal garden. The paths of the upper park are decorated with statues and pergolas. The area was heavily damaged during the German occupation in the early 1940s. - 2 Lower park (Also known as the Lower Gardens). Russian citizens admission: 200 RUB, substantially higher foreign admission.
Mon-Sun 9: 00-19: 00. Mostly everything closed on the last Tuesday of each month. Visitors arriving by hydrofoil from St.Pietroburgo they will come to a pier at the end of the sea channel and approach the large palace from the lower park. In the lower park it is the centerpiece of the entire ensemble. A small ridge forms the southern border and the Gulf of Finland forms the northern border. The fundamental principle of the design is symmetry. In between are the grand palace, the grand waterfall and the sea channel that goes to the Gulf which divides the park into eastern and western sections. On the east side is the Monplaisir complex and on the west side is the Marly palace. 
Free visit. This area constitutes the terrestrial approach to the whole. Originally, the upper park was quite functional: vegetables were grown and the ponds were supplied with fish. By the mid-18th century, however, it would become more like a formal garden. The paths of the upper park are decorated with statues and pergolas. The area was heavily damaged during the German occupation in the early 1940s.
Mon-Sun 9: 00-19: 00. Mostly everything closed on the last Tuesday of each month. Visitors arriving by hydrofoil from 
- Palaces
Many of the palaces are now museums. Opening hours and days vary, however almost everything is closed on the last Tuesday of each month.
- 3 Peterhof Grand Palace. Tue-Sun 10: 30-18: 00; ticket office: 10: 30-17: 00. The large three-story mansion sits atop the ridge that separates the upper and lower parks. What is seen now is what was seen in the time of Peter the Great. In his day there was only a small royal villa on the site. Only after his death (and over two centuries) was the site expanded, modified and improved to become what is seen today.
- 4 Marly Palace. May-September: Mon-Sun 10: 30-18: 00, October-April: Sat-Sun 10: 30-17: 00. This is the main structure of the lower park. Three avenues radiate from the palace, one that crosses the Canale del Mare. Refined examples of antique furniture inside; an old lady stands guard in every room, some even with a smile.
- 5 Monplaisir Palace. Mon plaisir means "my pleasure" in French. It is located near the Gulf. It also has three roads that radiate from it. This palace welcomes visitors arriving by hydrofoil. The Peterhof ensemble started with the construction of this palace. Peter the Great sketched the design and gave it its name.
- Waterfalls
- Great waterfall. Directly below the palace is an artificial cave which has five arches. Decorated stairs are on each side and go up to the cave. The great waterfall starts here and enters the Sea Channel, which flows into the Gulf of Finland.
- Dragon waterfall (Chess Hill). An impressive waterfall where water comes out of brightly colored dragons and flows through a series of checkerboard steps.
- Marly waterfall. Also known as the Golden Hill waterfall and is located on the western side.
- Lion waterfall. The last to be built in the park and the last to be restored.
- Fountains
The fountains operate from May to mid-October on time: Mon-Sun 11: 00-17: 00.
- Fountains of Adam and Eve. Along the Canale del Mare there is Adam on the east side and Eve on the west side.
- Dragon and chessbord cascade. It is located in the eastern part of the lower park. The water falls on the black and white marble arranged as on a chessboard. The ten statues flanking the waterfall were buried to keep them safe from German occupation during World War II.
- Fauno and Kid Cloche fountains. They are located in the Monplaisir Garden.
- Fountain of fairy tales. It is somewhat hidden and appears to be a rag chasing ducks, apparently inspired by La Fontaine's fable "The Ducks and the Dog" (in FrenchLes Canes et le barbet).
- Fountains of Menager. They use relatively little water with great effect due to the nozzle design. These fountains are located in front of the Marly waterfall.
- Intermediate fountain (In the upper park.).
- Fountain of Neptune (In the upper park.).
- Ninfa and Danaide fountains. In the north-west and north-east corners of the flower beds there are two female figures. The eastern side is a copy of Christian Daniel Rauch's Danaid. The western side is the classic statue of the nymph.
- Fountain of the Orangerie (In the center of the Orangerie garden). It depicts Triton fighting a sea monster. The fountain was completely destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt in 1956.
- Oak fountain (In the upper park).
- Pyramind Fountain. It is made up of 505 jets that form a large pyramid of water. This fountain was badly damaged during World War II, but returned to operation in 1953.
- Roman fountains. Destroyed during the Second World War. Part of it was restored, the rest had to be recreated.
- Samson Fountain. It depicts Samson opening a lion's jaw and symbolizing Russia's victory over Sweden in the Great Northern War. The lion is part of the Swedish coat of arms and one of the victories during the war was achieved on St Samson's Day.
- Sofa fountain (In the Monplaisir Garden). It is one of the fountains of the games.
- Sheaf fountain (At the center of the Monplaisir Garden).
- Shell fountain (In the Chinese Garden).
- Square foutains for swimming pools (In the upper park). These small fountains surround the figures in the center of the pools.
- Fountain of the sun (At the heart of the Menagerie Pool). This fountain consists of a large disk.
- Triton Cloche fountains. There are four of these Triton fountains that hold a large disc above the head.
- Umbrella fountain. Another fountain with water features.
- Fountains of the Voronikhin colonnades (Located on the roof).
- Fountain of the whales. Another fountain in the western part that uses the same nozzle as the Menager fountains. There are four small dolphin fountains around this fountain.
Other parks
- 6 Alexandria Park (East of the Lower Park and the Gulf of Finland). Construction began in 1826. The park includes a small palace and a neo-Gothic church. A favorite place for Tsar Nicolas II.
- Strelna Park. Another of Peter the Great's projects.
- Petrodvorets Watch Factory (Raketa), ☎ 7 926 633 7368, @[email protected]. Mon-Fri 9: 00-15: 00. It is the oldest working factory in the Russia. It was founded by Peter the Great in 1721 and the watches have been produced under the Raketa brand since Gagarin's space flight in 1961. It is best to call the factory in advance to arrange a visit. Both are worth visiting in one day, Peter's Palace and the watch factory. He is one of the last watchmakers in the world to produce their own movements from A to Z, and certainly the last in Russia.
- Peterhof Church (Directly opposite the entrance to the upper park). Beautiful church.
- World War II Memorial (Known locally as The Cannons) (Old Peterhof, at the T-junction of the A121 and Petergofskaya Ulitsa -Петергофская Улица-). On the east side there is a small cemetery and an obelisk and on the west side some disabled artillery pieces.
Events and parties
What to do
Walk up and down the street to St.Pietroburgo and admire the palace, gardens and fountains for which Peterhof is known.
- 1 Bicycle Museum (Музей велосипедов), Alexandriyskoe Highway, 1, ☎ 7 812 450-52-87.
- 2 Playing Cards Museum (Музей игральных карт), Pravlenskaya Street, 4. Closed for reconstruction
- 3 Imperial Yachts Museum (Музей Императорские яхты).
- 4 Collectors Museum (Музей коллекционеров), 11 Pravlenskaya Street, ☎ 7 812 450-52-87.
- 5 Benois family museum (Музей семьи Бенуа).
Shopping
- Russian watches. Most of the "Russian watches" sold in tourist shops in Russia they are fake and most likely manufactured in China. So take the opportunity to be in the city of the famous Russian watch factory "Raketa", to buy a real one. The gift shop sells real ones.
How to have fun
Where to eat
Most of the kiosks along the route and near bus stops are very likely to offer alcoholic beverages.
Average prices
- 1 The large greenhouse (Большая Оранжерея) (In the lower park of the Peterhof ensemble in the greenhouse), ☎ 7 812 427 9106.
- Dvoika (Двойка), Санкт-Петербургский проспект, д. 49/9 (On the way to St.Pietroburgo), ☎ 7 812 450 6093. A small cafe and bar with a strange name (dvoika, which is a rather low score in Russian schools). The menu also includes theEnglish, but some translations are strange. The word "dvoika" implies a not very sharp person, someone who scored "2" in many classes. In this particular case, the word "dvoika" comes from the Soviet era, when all the shops in each city had their own unique numbers. Cafe Dvoika is located on the premises of the old grocery store No. 2, hence the name.
- 2 Cheburechnaya Brynza (Чебуречная Брынза), st. Marine troops, 3, ☎ 7 812 450-67-5. Chebureks 230/300 RUB, seconds 300/500 RUB. One of the largest establishments near the entrance to the Lower Park. Pan-Asian cuisine with a touch of Russian. The quality of the food is worse than in St Petersburg from other chain representatives.
- 3 Cafe Linea, Prospect St. Petersburg, 46, ☎ 7 812 450-78-78. Business lunch 220 RUB. Good feedback.
- 4 Aviator restaurant-bar, Perspective St. Petersburg, 60, ☎ 7 812 420-67-08. Main courses 400 / 1,000 RUB.
Where stay
There are a few hotels in Peterhof. St.Pietroburgo, however, many facilities to choose from.
Average prices
- 1 SPA Hotel Grand Peterhof (СПА Отель Гранд Петергоф), Gofmeysterskaya street, 2A (Between Peterhof and Strelna), ☎ 7 812 334-86-90, 7 812 334-86-91. From 5,900 RUB in the low season. It offers the opportunity for a combination of relaxing treatments, wellness and educational relaxation. For all guests staying at the hotel, free access to the SPA complex: 20 m swimming pool, fitness area, spa area, 4 types of baths and saunas. The children's room. Author excursions in the Lower Park "Kaleidoscope of fountains and palaces" with a visit to the Grand Palace / Bathhouse / Tsaritsyn and Olga pavilions; walking tour of the author "Unknown Strelna" with a horseback ride in Orlovsky Park or with a visit to the Konstantinovsky Palace.
- 2 Samson hotels (Отель Самсон), St. Petersburg pr., 44A, ☎ 7 812 334-71-55, 7 812 334-71-57, @[email protected]. The hotel has 3 single rooms, 32 double rooms, 14 rooms with extra bed, 3 Junior Suites and 7 Suites. All rooms have: bathroom, hairdryer, mini fridge, air conditioning, telephone, safe, satellite TV, Internet access - Wi-Fi. The suites and junior suites are equipped with a DVD player. Samson restaurant with 90 seats offers to taste authentic Russian and European cuisine accompanied by live music in classical and jazz styles. For connoisseurs of Russian cuisine, the Tsar's menu will be proposed, whose dishes are prepared according to the recipes of the 18th-19th centuries, carefully preserved in the archives of the Palace.
- 3 New Peterhof Hotel (Отель Новый Петергоф), Perspective St. Petersburg, 34, ☎ 7 812 319-10-10. Double room: from 3.500 RUB. Opened in 2010. 150 rooms. Air conditioners, safe, satellite TV, telephone, Wi-Fi, table, chairs. Bathrooms feature bathtubs, phones, and hair dryers.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Internet
There is a free "Obit" Wifi point around the building; both in the lower park and in the upper garden.
The territory of the city is covered by the networks of all mobile phone operators a St.Pietroburgo.
Around
- Koporye - A small town west of Peterhof where a dilapidated hundreds of years old fortress stands along the road. The fortress can be fully explored in under an hour, however a visit may take longer. A sign (in Russian) at the ticket office provides a brief history of the fortress. Local legend says there are catacombs below.
- Lomonosov - The namesake of Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov. The city is located west of Peterhof. It is also the birthplace of Igor Stravinsky. You can get there by train, bus or car. The city was Orangebaum (in German orange) and you can still hear it named as such.
- Pushkin - A small suburb to the south and east on the way to Veliky Novgorod (is Moscow).
- St.Pietroburgo - Although most visitors come to Peterhof from St. Petersburg.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Peterhof (Russia)
Commons contains images or other files on Peterhof (Russia)
