Museum "Imperial Yachts"

VWQ7+X3 Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

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.

Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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

The history of Russian imperial yachts dates back to the Petrine era. From childhood, the future emperor dreamed of the sea, and later, during his travels in Europe, he mastered, among other skills, the profession of a shipbuilder. Russia’s access to the sea and its establishment on the Baltic coast led to the rapid development of Russian shipbuilding. Since 1702, court yachts were built at the Voronezh shipyard. After the first victories in the Northern War, the tsar began creating the Baltic fleet. In 1703–1704, several frigates and sail-oar shnyavas were built, among which the "Munker," made according to Peter’s own drawings (a model is displayed in the museum), is of special interest.

Yacht construction gained momentum during the reign of Catherine II, with a special flourishing occurring under Nicholas I. Among the 22 imperial, grand-ducal, and official yachts created in the 19th century at Russian and foreign shipyards, there were both small sailing vessels with modest decoration and comfortable ships with luxurious interiors. Each yacht had its own unique decor, special furniture, and distinct tableware sets.

In the second half of the 19th century, large comfortable yachts for long voyages began to be built, including those specially made for the heirs to the throne. Among them was the yacht "Shtandart," laid down in 1893 in Copenhagen and completed three years later. It was the largest ocean-going and most advanced yacht in terms of engineering and technical characteristics, belonging to Tsarevich Alexei, as evidenced by numerous photographs.

The post-revolutionary fate of the imperial yachts was sad: many were dismantled or turned into targets for testing anti-ship shells. The "Imperial Yachts" museum offers a unique opportunity to see them again.

Sources:

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

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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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The Upper Garden is the ceremonial entrance to the imperial residence, a splendid example of formal garden design. The garden was created based on sketches by Peter I, and its layout has changed only slightly since then. During the lifetime of the first Russian emperor, its ceremonial character was combined with practical purposes. Vegetables, fruits, aromatic herbs, and medicinal plants were grown here, and fish were bred in the ponds that served as reservoirs for the fountain system.

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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The Lower Park was created based on the model of formal gardens and has preserved all the features of its French originals. Although many decorative elements have disappeared over time, the wonderful architectural harmony of the garden, created by Jean-Baptiste Le Blond, a talented pupil of the creator of the Versailles gardens Lenôtre, has endured. The park is divided into three interconnected parts: the central (Parade), the western (Marlin), and the eastern (Montplezir).

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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The "Whale" Fountain of the Lower Park

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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

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

The sculpture of Neptune in Peterhof also holds a certain sacred meaning, as it is the first secular statue that marked the beginning of the "golden age" of Russian sculpture. According to legend, the image of Neptune was modeled by the emperor after an acquaintance, a merchant who was embarrassed by the paintings in the rooms of the Dutch House (Monplaisir) and blushed when looking at the naked bodies depicted there. As a joke, Peter decided to cast a sculpture based on this man.

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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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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.

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."

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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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.

Sculpture of Peter I holding the young Louis XV in his arms

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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..."

Venus Garden

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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.

Lion Cascade (Hermitage)

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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The idea behind the design of the Lower Park was based on the principle: each palace should correspond to a cascade of fountains. In 1721, the construction of the "Hermitage" pavilion began, and an alley leading to it was laid out. The cascade project, referred to as the "Moses Cascade" in Peter's sketches, was prepared by the architect Nicolo Michetti, but the original plan was not realized. Initially, statues of Hercules and Flora were used as sculptural decoration, but a year later they were replaced by bronze figures of lions, made based on Prokofiev's models. The cascade, named the Hermitage Cascade by its location, received its second, more famous name "Lion's" – after its decoration.

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.

Benois Family Museum

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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.

Grand Palace (Peterhof)

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof

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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.

Upper and Lower Grottos

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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" (Italian)

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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 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.

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.