Visit the Peterhof Palace and Gardens and the Catherine Palace.

Hello.

After a long hiatus due to busy schedules, we continue our journey through Russia. Recalling our previous visit to the Winter Palace during the afternoon, we encountered rain mixed with cold air, forcing us to grab umbrellas and don raincoats, creating a unique atmosphere. Today's itinerary includes a visit to the Summer Palace (Peterhof) and the town of Pushkin, where we will admire the Catherine Palace.

Before we begin our exploration, let's delve into the history of the Peterhof Palace, also known as Petergof or Petrodvorets in Russian. This magnificent palace, situated in the quaint town of Peterhof, approximately 30 kilometers from Saint Petersburg, stands as a testament to the grandeur of the Russian Empire. Nestled near the Gulf of Finland, Peterhof offers a captivating blend of architectural brilliance and natural beauty, promising an unforgettable experience for all who visit its grounds.

The morning atmosphere is still gloomy, the sky is not bright, but the air is cold.

The sky is blue again outside the city.

The entrance to the Royal Palace

The interior of the building after entering the palace grounds.

The first building boasts a vibrant color scheme, featuring a golden dome roof reminiscent of a crown.

Walking continuously, there are connected buildings. Today the sky is clear, the weather is still cold.

Outside, people are waiting in a long queue for the opening to see the inside.

The history of Peterhof Palace dates back to the reign of Peter the Great, who envisioned the construction of St. Petersburg. Recognizing the strategic importance of the location on the Gulf of Finland, Peter commissioned the palace as a summer residence and oversaw its expansion. Inspired by French gardens, the surrounding grounds boasted elaborate landscaping. Sadly, Peter only enjoyed two years at Peterhof before his passing.

The scene was filled with people playfully taking photos, with a wide-open space in front. Visitors lined up to enter the interior, where admission was strictly controlled. Visitors had to deposit their coats at a designated point, walk through a scanning machine, and have their cameras and mobile phones inspected. Photography inside was strictly prohibited (unfortunately, this means there are no photos to share). Groups were limited to a maximum of 30 people.

The building boasts a multitude of beautifully decorated rooms, each showcasing a unique style. The predominant color is a luxurious golden yellow, adorned with intricate carvings and embellishments. These include a guest reception room, a recreation and dance room, a dining room, a room dedicated to paintings, a Chinese-style room adorned with Chinese artifacts, and a bedroom. Every space is breathtakingly beautiful and visually stunning. Unfortunately, photography was not permitted, preventing us from capturing these magnificent sights.

The window is beautiful.

After spending a considerable amount of time exploring the building's interior, we emerged outside just as the palace's fountains were activated.

This canal flows into the Gulf of Finland in front of the palace. King Rama V once stayed here during his visit to Russia.

Front garden

The construction of this palace took nearly a decade, as it was continuously expanded after the death of Peter the Great. His daughter, the second in line, played a crucial role in overseeing the transformation and expansion of the palace to its current grandeur. She commissioned architects to improve the gardens and build fountains, which were later destroyed during a war. The current structures are reconstructions.

The unique feature of the fountain is that it is said to be built using natural principles and mechanisms, utilizing the water pressure from the Baltic Sea. The fountain is activated by a system of pipes that gradually decrease in size, culminating in small spouts that release water in the form of a fountain. During winter, the water freezes, preventing the fountain from operating.

The fountain will be turned on at 11:00 AM and will run for 1-2 hours.

Little Russian girl

We had lunch at a Chinese restaurant on the way (forgot to take a picture of the restaurant).

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In the afternoon, visit the Catherine Palace.

The front area (which is the entrance to the back gate of the palace)

Waiting for the door to open, the cold seeps in...

Catherine Palace, located in Pushkin, approximately 25 kilometers from St. Petersburg, is a magnificent structure adorned with intricate stuccowork and classical architectural elements. The palace served as a summer residence for Empress Catherine I and was later gifted to her daughter, Empress Elizabeth. Throughout history, the palace has undergone numerous renovations and expansions. Its grandeur and beauty are a testament to its rich history.

Entrance

A spacious courtyard inside the entrance.

The spires of the royal palace often have similar crowns.

The building is painted in a sky-blue hue, accented with crisp white trim. Its facade is adorned with sculptures framing the doorways and windows.

Buildings surround the open courtyard.

Strict cleanliness regulations are enforced for visitors to the interior, who must wear dust protection equipment.

Coats must be checked at the cloakroom before entering, but photography is permitted.

Looking out from the inside

The opulent beauty of each room.

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Upon exiting the interior, one enters a garden that serves as the front of the palace.

As we left, the sky began to darken, casting a somber mood over our journey.

The phenomenon of rain... Thais are excited, but Russians consider it ordinary.

In the evening, we had a program to watch a performance and have dinner at the Nicholas Palace. However, the weather was bad and the traffic was very congested.

Stay tuned for the next episode.