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Voronikhin Colonnades of Peterhof

Razvodnaya St., 2, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198510

How bright, how emerald-dark In the shade of its dense gardens, And how sparkling, and how transparent Is the water-dripping Peterhof.” P.A. Vyazemsky
Petersburg: Unusual Monuments and Places
Samson Sukhanov: Master of Stonework
Imperial Parks of Peterhof
Great Architects: Andrey Nikiforovich Voronikhin
photo
Jermaine

"How bright, how emerald-dark

In the shade of its dense gardens,

And how shining, and how transparent

Is the water-dripping Peterhof."

Pyotr Vyazemsky

By the order of Emperor Paul I in 1801, the construction of the famous fountain colonnades in the Lower Park in front of the Grand Palace began, later named the Voronikhin Colonnades.

The project of the colonnades was designed and all construction works were supervised by A.N. Voronikhin. The construction was carried out by the artel of Grigory Kopylov, brother-in-law of Sukhanov. Samson Sukhanov was appointed as the "overseer," who supervised the workers and personally performed various subcontracted tasks with the owner. It was there that Sukhanov became acquainted with and gained great trust from Voronikhin.

In 1801, Grigory Kopylov undertook three contracts. The first contract was signed in winter for the "repair" of the plinths for the colonnades and stairs with polished steps made from "wild sea stone," the "edges of the pools in front of the gazebo windows," and the "pedestals under the columns and pilasters." At the beginning of summer, contractor Kopylov pledged to refurbish eight old marble columns with bases and capitals, taken from the dismantled Round Gazebo at the Pink Field in Tsarskoye Selo, and to produce twelve new columns from Serdobol granite, including their bases and capitals. In addition, he committed to carve cornices, balustrades, fountain basins, and pools from "Pudov stone," as well as "platforms" for the floor from "Putilov slabs." At the end of summer, Grigory Kopylov undertook the obligation "to carry out carpentry, joinery, masonry, and plastering work for two colonnades in Peterhof."

Beyond these contracts, by order of the President of the Academy of Arts Stroganov, Kopylov's artel quickly carved eight lion figures from "wild sea stone" based on models by sculptor I.P. Prokofiev. In 1803, the fountain colonnades in the form of open galleries ending with rectangular pavilion-gazebos were constructed. The entrances to the galleries were decorated with granite lions placed on either side of the stairs. For the magnificent project and its realization, Voronikhin was awarded the title of architect. Contemporaries were enchanted by the exquisite beauty of the colonnades.

Svinin in his book "Memorable Places of Saint Petersburg and Its Surroundings": "...Built in the Lower Garden opposite the terrace on which the palace stands, are two colonnades made of Pudov stone on a granite foundation; at both ends of each are gilded domes with spires, from which water jets, irrigating the domes and then cascading into the basin; this produces a wonderful effect on the imagination when sitting under the gallery roof and seeing the clear, bright sky before you, while above your head you hear the sound of pouring rain."

Sources:

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

https://к-я.рф/tag/voronixinskie-kolonnady/

photo
Jermaine

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Neptune Fountain, Upper Garden

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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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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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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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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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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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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Enclosures

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Chinese kindergarten

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Statue of Neptune

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Fountain "Pyramid" ("Pyramidal")

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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.
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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.
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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.
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Fountain joke "Dubok"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Miniature fountains "Tritons" or "Bells"

Menagerie Fountains, Eikhenskaya St., Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198516

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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The "Hermitage" Pavilion — the first post-war museum of Peterhof

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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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Garden of Bacchus

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
The Garden of Bacchus in Peterhof was designed by Nicolo Michetti in the 1720s as part of the ensemble of the Marly Palace in the western part of the Lower Park. Three paths connect it to the Garden of Venus, located between the Gulf of Finland and the Marlin Pond.
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Sculpture of Peter I holding the young Louis XV in his arms

Nizhnyaya Dor., 13x, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198516

Imperial Parks of Peterhof
A few days later, Peter wrote to Catherine: "I inform you that last Monday the local little king paid me a visit... a child quite remarkable in appearance and stature, and for his age fairly sensible, who is seven years old..."
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Venus Garden

VVQX+J8 Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Imperial Parks of Peterhof
In the northern part of the Marly Palace ensemble by the Marly Pond is the Garden of Venus, which is separated from the Gulf of Finland by a special retaining stone wall more than 3 meters high and about 250 meters long. Along the wall runs an alley from which one can admire the sea landscapes and view the three gardens of the Lower Park. The garden got its name thanks to the statue of Venus Medicis located here, modeled after the famous ancient Greek sculpture. The garden layout was designed by architect Nicolo Michetti.
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Museum "Imperial Yachts"

VWQ7+X3 Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

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.
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Lion Cascade (Hermitage)

VWQ3+23 Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Imperial Parks of Peterhof
Great Architects: Andrey Ivanovich Stakenschneider
Great Architects: Andrey Nikiforovich Voronikhin
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The Grand Cascade is the most magnificent fountain structure of the Peterhof ensemble.

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
The Grand Cascade is the most magnificent fountain structure of the Peterhof ensemble and one of the outstanding structures in the world. The idea to complete the maritime ceremonial entrance to the royal residence with the Upper Palace and a cascade with grottos at its foot belonged to Peter I. The Grand Cascade consists of three waterfall staircases and two grottos, 75 fountains, and 255 bronze sculptures, mascarons, and bas-reliefs, as well as other decorative details. The construction of the Grand Cascade began in May 1716, involving architects Jean-Baptiste Le Blond and Nicola Michetti, Mikhail Zemtsov, and hydraulic engineering masters Pieter Soulema and Vasily Tuvolkov.
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Benois Family Museum

Dvortsovaya Square, 8, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198510

Imperial Parks of Peterhof
There are many world-famous artists, but artistic dynasties are few. Among them, the Benois family rightfully holds a special place. This lineage has French origins. As often happened with many foreign families in Russia, the Benois family, combining French and German blood, became Russified and became the progenitor of numerous Russian figures in the arts.
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Grand Palace (Peterhof)

Razvodnaya St., Building 2, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198516

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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Upper and Lower Grottos

Bolshoy Cascade, Pravlenskaya St., Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198510

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.
photo
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Paired Fountains "Bowls" (Italian)

Italian, Aleksandriyskoye Highway, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198516

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 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.
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Paired Fountains "Bowls" (French)

French Fountain, Alexandriyskoye Highway, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198510

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.
photo
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