We started at Peterhof, the summer palace of Peter the Great, although it was not completed in his lifetime, and he never stayed here. He wanted a palace and a garden as grand as Versailles, with extensive fountains and waterworks. But he required that the fountains not be dependent on pumps, as Versailles' are. (In fact the water pressure at Versailles was so poor that the fountains only operated while the King was walking by.)
We think he got what he wanted. The Grand Cascade from above...not quite underway...
NOW!
and below.
Looking back at the palace.
We took a walk through the gardens, to the Gulf of Finland.
The Peterhof Hermitage was designed to be used as a private dining room. It was originally designed to have a two-person lift to carry guests from the ground floor to the second floor dining room, and a table lift, so that the entire dining table could be lowered to the ground floor. It would be laid with food, serving pieces and table settings, then hoisted to the second floor, where the guests could enjoy themselves without intrusion by servants.
Beyond is the Gulf of Finland, and, faintly, Finland itself.
No comments:
Post a Comment