Paired Fountains "Bowls" (Italian)

Italian, Aleksandriyskoye Highway, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198516

At the foot of the Grand Palace, in the center of the parterre flower beds, are the paired "Bowls" fountains, whose construction, according to the project of architect Nicolo Michetti, was completed at the end of 1722. The trial launch took place in the presence of Peter I. The oldest fountains of Peterhof, known for the power of their jets, received a second name – the "Great Fountains." Since the hydraulic work on the eastern fountain was carried out by the Frenchman Paul Soualem, and the western one by the Italians Giovanni and Giuliano Barratini, the western fountain is called the "Italian" fountain.

Imperial Parks of Peterhof

At the foot of the Grand Palace, in the center of the parterre flower beds, are the paired "Bowls" fountains, whose construction according to the project of architect Nicolo Michetti was completed at the end of 1722. The trial launch took place in the presence of Peter I. The oldest fountains of Peterhof received a second name – "Great Fountains" – due to the power of their jets. Since the hydraulic work on the eastern fountain was carried out by the Frenchman Paul Soualem, and the western one by the Italians Giovanni and Giuliano Barratini, the eastern fountain is sometimes called the "French" fountain, and the western one the "Italian" fountain.

Originally, the bowls and pedestals were carved from wood, covered with lead, and painted to resemble marble, but in the mid-19th century, the weathered wooden bowls and pedestals were replaced with new ones carved from Carrara marble by the masters of the Peterhof Cutting Factory.

The "Great Fountains" harmoniously fit into the design of the central parterres and emphasize the power of "Samson," being aligned with it.

Sources:

https://peterhofmuseum.ru/objects/peterhof/fontani_chashi

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On the central axis of the Upper Garden, closest to the Grand Palace, is the "Oak" fountain. In a round basin, on a tuff island shaped like a starfish, park visitors are greeted by the "Cupid Putting on a Mask." This sculpture was created in 1809 by the sculptor Rossi. Cupid is surrounded by six dolphins placed on the rays of the star, from whose mouths thin streams of water spout.

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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In the western part of the Lower Park, right by the slope, between the Lion Cascade and the Grand Palace, lies the Sand Pond. It was dug in 1724 for the construction of a new granite cascade, but the work was never completed. At that time, the pond became known as the "Sand" Pond. Only in 1738 was it decided to improve the reservoir. The pond was deepened, the banks were tidied up, and in 1740 a huge, brightly painted wooden sculpture "resembling a whale-fish" with a water feature coming from its head was placed in its center. Around it, fantastic lead sea bulls emerged from the water.

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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Chinese kindergarten

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

Miniature in size (only 685 square meters), devoid of dazzling brilliance and grandiose buildings, the Chinese Garden in Peterhof undoubtedly deserves a small separate story. Its elegant landscape design – secluded, protected from sea winds – breathes Eastern wisdom and tranquility.

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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Fountain "Sun"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

The "Sun" fountain is a complex hydraulic structure and one of the two mechanical fountains of Peterhof. It has an original shape that is not repeated anywhere else.

Fountain "Triton" or Orangery Fountain

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

The fountain in the form of an allegory tells the story of Russia's struggle to gain access to the Baltic Sea — about the first major victory of the Russian fleet over the Swedish fleet in the Battle of Gangut on July 27, 1714. The Triton symbolizes the young Russian fleet, while the sea monster represents the fleet of Charles XII. Four turtles, scattering in fear in different directions, remind us of the unfaithful allies of the Swedish king.

Fountain Gags "Little Sofas"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

The "Divanchiki" joke fountains are the oldest of the joke fountains that have survived to our time. The fountains look like typical 18th-century garden benches with lattice seats, painted white. The backs of the benches are decorated with masks of tritons and a tuff rock formation. They are located in the eastern part of the Lower Park of Peterhof, near the Monplaisir Palace.

Fountain joke "Dubok"

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The prank fountain "Dubok" is one of the prank fountains of the Peterhof Palace and Park Ensemble. It is located in the Lower Park near the Montplaisir Alley. The prank fountain was created in 1735, and its surface was originally covered with gold paint. The branched six-meter hollow tree trunk made of tin tubes was externally covered with lead, which imitated bark.

Fountain joke "Christmas Trees"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

The "Little Fir Trees" joke is a group of three small metal trees that spray water, located in one of the clumps near the Orangery. The original fountain was created in 1784 by craftsmen Keyzer and Strelnikov. The Little Fir Trees are situated in a clearing south of the Oak Grove and consist of three metal trees, which are very difficult to distinguish from real fir trees. When the elegantly dressed guests passed by, suddenly the water jets would douse the ladies and gentlemen.

Fountain joke "Umbrella" or "Mushroom"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

The prank fountain "Umbrella" is one of several prank fountains in the palace and park ensemble of Peterhof, located in the Lower Park near the Montplaisir Alley. It was created in 1796 by architect Brouwer and fountain master Keyser. It is believed that the court's fascination with China influenced its creation, which was also reflected in the construction of "Chinese" buildings in Tsarskoye Selo.

Fountains "Bells"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

In the center of each of the four parterres into which the Monplaisir Garden is divided, Peter planned to install the "Bells" fountains, adorned with gilded sculptures. These water jets were created between 1721 and 1723 according to Miketti's drawings, simultaneously with the central "Sheaf" fountain. The weathered lead statues were replaced with bronze ones in 1817. Wax models for them were made by I. Martos based on molds kept in the Museum of the Academy of Arts.

Miniature fountains "Tritons" or "Bells"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

The miniature "Tritons" fountains appeared on the shore of the Marlinsky Pond at the end of the 1720s. The sculptures of four identical boy-tritons holding flat bowls were cast in England in 1721 based on a drawing by the architect I. Braunstein. Originally, the "Tritons" were intended to decorate the Grand Cascade, but they were cleverly adapted for the construction of fountains, whose compositional design is simple and elegant. Four water jets spouted from the bowls above the heads of the "Tritons."

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

In the 18th century, among wealthy Europeans, a fashion spread for building special pavilions called "Hermitage" or "place of seclusion." These were two-story buildings; on the lower floor were cooks and servants who prepared and served food, which was delivered by lifts to the upper floor, where the close circle of the estate owner's guests gathered. In Russia, the first Hermitage was created in Peterhof by order of Peter I. It was built on the shore of the Gulf of Finland in the western part of the Lower Park. The very idea of its construction arose in Peter during his travels through European countries, where he first saw similar structures. The Peterhof seaside pavilion served as the prototype for all Russian "hermitages" built thereafter.

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

Peterhof is the only seaside residence of the Russian emperors, so it was quite natural that in 2004 the museum "Imperial Yachts" was opened on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. The exhibition showcases little-known aspects of the imperial family's life. Here you can see Peter I’s naval greatcoat and skipper’s jacket, Empress Catherine II’s uniform dress in the style of the navy, photographs and models of imperial and grand-ducal yachts, which were true "floating" palaces, yacht service sets, paintings and graphics, as well as various decorative and applied art items dedicated to the glorious history of the Baltic and Neva fleets.

Lion Cascade (Hermitage)

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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Grand Palace (Peterhof)

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

Great Architects: Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli

The main building of the palace and park ensemble "Peterhof," located in the eponymous town on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland in the Petrodvorets district of the federal city of Saint Petersburg. It was almost completely destroyed during World War II and restored in 1952.

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

The Upper and Lower Grottos, serving as the architectural center of the Grand Cascade of Peterhof, were built according to the design of Peter I. They are faced with tuff, decorated with fountains, marble, and gilded sculptures. The facade of the Grand Grotto is pierced by five tall arches adorned with gilded mascarons. Above this grotto is a terrace leading to the Small Grotto. The boundary between the grottos is marked by a marble balustrade with figures of two gilded bronze Tritons. Architects Jean-Baptiste Le Blond, Ivan Braunstein, and Nicola Michetti participated in the creation of the grottos, with construction taking place from 1716 to 1720. Entrance is through the arched doors of the Upper Grotto. According to Peter the Great’s plan, the walls of the underground structure are faced with tuff and shells, decorated with mascarons and ornaments.

Paired Fountains "Bowls" (French)

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

At the foot of the Grand Palace, in the center of the parterre flower beds, are the paired "Bowls" fountains, whose construction according to the project of architect Nicolo Michetti was completed at the end of 1722. The trial launch took place in the presence of Peter I. The oldest fountains of Peterhof, known for the power of their jets, received the second name – the "Great Fountains." Since the hydraulic work on the eastern fountain was carried out by the Frenchman Paul Soualem, and the western one by the Italians Giovanni and Giuliano Barratini, the eastern fountain is called the "French" fountain.