Gorod Sankt-Peterburg Things to Do Tips by eugini2001

Peterhoff, the palace and the park, is an outstanding landmark of Russia's artistic culture. Founded in the beginning of the 18th century by Peter the Great, Peterhoff was built to become the most splendid official summer residence of the Russian Emperors. The famous Russian Tsar himself chose the position of the palace on the coast of the Gulf of Finland and determined the general characteristics such as locations for the Upper and Lower Parks, the structure of the Grand Palace, the fountains and cascades. After St. Petersburg was founded, Peter the Great was determined to build a lot of palaces in the city's surroundings reminiscent of those he visited in France. Although Peterhoff is called "the Russian Versailles", this residence differs from the real Versailles by its own very special features and does not look exactly like the residence of "the Sun King". In 1705 during the erection of the Kronstadt fortress on the Kotlin Island, the tsar built a small wooden house in order to observe the construction. Later it was replaced with Monplaisir Palace built in Dutch style (also known as the Small Maison) by Johann-Friedrich Braunstein. This was the beginning of the Peterhoff palace-and-park ensemble.

This city was a dream of the tsar that came true.This dream cost a lot for him & his people.Don't miss to see this fairy tale-"Window into Europe". But don't try to swim in the fountain a security man will whistle! Only one thing you can do is to step on a certain stone & water goes from it.Enjoy your shower!And don't forget extra clothe!

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Directions: It's out of the city,it's the SUMMER palace!You can reach it by river cutter or taking a bus from Winter Palace!

It's a nice place too.You will need a day to see it,because it's out city too.You can take a blanket & food with your & have a picnic over there.Palace is beautiful!It's my favorite!Blue one with golden decoration!But garden & pond is something special in this whole World!You can see rare trees in the queen's garden & small ducklings with their mom!

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The most important monument of St. Petersburg is the Winter Palace, the official winter residence of the Russian royal family. Right after the Russian revolution of 1917, the walls were painted in deep red. Later on the color of the uprising was replaced with turquoise green, and in 1980s more blue was mixed into the wall paint.The Winter Palace has quite a long architectural history. The first foundation stone of the Tsar’s residence was laid in 1711. In the next four decades the palace was rebuilt several times, turning from wood to stone and changing appearance radically. Its final baroque design was suggested in 1754 by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, an architectural genius of the time. This project was approved by Empress Elizabeth I, the daughter of Peter the Great. Over four thousand people were employed in the construction. The facade was vividly decorated, which was very characteristic of Rastrelli. The entire system of outer decorations was focused on emphasizing the height of the building, which was truly impressive at the time. Elizabeth I, however, did not live long enough to enjoy the magnificent palace. When the construction was finished in 1762, Peter III moved into the palace, but was quickly replaced by Catherine II in 1763. By 1766 the new building was finished.Catherine II used the north wing of the building for entertaining gatherings with all kinds of performances where guests had to participate. The Small Hermitage hosted royal art collections consisting of paintings, sculptures and jewelry that were displayed in parallel galleries on the garden’s sides. Catherine II was very proud of that collection and believed that she had to show the enlightened Europe that Russia deserves to be called a European power.
A little later Catherine II ordered a new building of the Large Hermitage to be erected in line with the north wing of the Small Hermitage.

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