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Labyrinth

VWMH+RJ Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

The labyrinth in Peterhof is a picturesque garden composition with a fountain arranged at its center. The labyrinth is located in the eastern part of the Lower Park, between Marlinskaya Alley and the coast of the Gulf of Finland. It is a quiet corner, away from the main fountains of Peterhof, where you can enjoy tranquility and relax.
Imperial Parks of Peterhof
photo
Jermaine

The Labyrinth in Peterhof is a picturesque garden composition with a fountain arranged at its center. The Labyrinth is located in the eastern part of the Lower Park, between Marlinskaya Alley and the coast of the Gulf of Finland. It is a quiet corner, away from the main fountains of Peterhof, where one can enjoy peace and rest. The idea to create the Labyrinth belonged to Peter I, and it was built between 1722 and 1724 by the architect Nicolo Michetti (based on drawings, presumably, by Jean-Baptiste Le Blond). At that time, the Labyrinth was an almost square section of the park, with a rather large oval-shaped pool in the center. Eight paths radiated from the fountain and intersected with a circular alley. Thus, the entire area was divided into sixteen parterres (flower beds) where flowers were planted. Along the alleys and paths, a trellis of trimmed bushes was planted. Guests of the Peterhof Palace could find seclusion in green plant niches where benches stood. A canal and a path were arranged around the perimeter.

During the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, in the mid-18th century, Francesco Rastrelli added a fountain to the composition. According to his design, the pool was to be decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures in the form of vases and dolphins. However, the architect’s plan was not fully realized due to its high cost — only the fountain was installed.

Throughout the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century, the Labyrinth was maintained in good condition — the pool was regularly repaired, and trees and shrubs in the bosquets were renewed. For example, in 1783, the garden master Vasily Bashlovsky wrote: “In the sixteen parterres grew lindens, hazel bushes, red and black currants.”

In 1800, the canals were replaced with paths. The last record of funds allocated for the Labyrinth’s repair dates back to the early 1880s.

Lost by the beginning of the 20th century, the labyrinth was recreated based on archaeological research and preserved archival documents.

Source:

https://www.spb-guide.ru/labirint_v_peterhofe.htm

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

 

photo
Jermaine

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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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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Fountain "Sun"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Fountain "Triton" or Orangery Fountain

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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Fountain Gags "Little Sofas"

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Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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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
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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
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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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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

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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.
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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.
photo
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Paired Fountains "Bowls" (French)

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

Imperial Parks of Peterhof
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photo
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