Why go
Peterhof Palace rewards attention to scale, orientation, and setting. The Peterhof Palace (Петерго́ф, Petergof) is actually a series of palaces and gardens, laid out on the orders of Peter the Great. Before leaving, compare one close detail of Peterhof Palace with its broadest public view.
What to look for
- Peterhof Palace: Take in the whole composition before choosing a focal detail.
- Peterhof Palace: Observe repeated windows, columns, arches, or garden axes.
- Peterhof Palace: Frame the site together with its nearest public space.
The full story
The Peterhof Palace (Петерго́ф, Petergof) is actually a series of palaces and gardens, laid out on the orders of Peter the Great. These Palaces and gardens are sometimes referred as the ""Russian Versailles"". The palace-ensemble along with the city center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Layout The dominant natural feature of Peterhof is a sixteen-metre-high bluff lying less than a hundred metres from the shore. The so-called Lower Gardens (Nizhny Sad), at 1.02 km² comprising the better part of Peterhof's land area, are confined between this bluff and the shore, stretching east and west for roughly 200 metres. The majority of Peterhof's fountains are contained here, as are several small palaces and outbuildings. East of the Lower Gardens lies the Alexandria Park with 19th-century Gothic Revival structures such as the Kapella. Atop the bluff, near the middle of the Lower Gardens, stands the Grand Palace (Bolshoi Dvorets).
Useful to know
- Check the current admission calendar for Peterhof Palace before building an interior visit around it.
Your next visit
Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.
Outdoor visit · 30–45 min
World planning estimate; admission, opening, visit duration and access need checking.