Even though the straight-line distance from St. Petersburg to Peterhof is about 15 miles, because of the traffic and the angled coastline, it took us close to an hour to get there.
The view of the Grand Cascade with the palace in the background is truly magnificent. No matter where one is, inside or out, Peterhof is the Versailles of the north as it was intended to be by Peter the Great.
What we found amazing about the fountains is not only their beauty but their unseen mechanics. There are no electric pumps or other mechanical assists propelling this unique system of fountains: the pressure from the Gulf of Finland does it all. A hidden engineering marvel.
Peterhof Fountains and Gardens
The floors in the Palace, just like those in the Hermitage, are stunning examples of the finest woodworking design and craftsmanship.
To truly appreciate the magnificent palace(s) and gardens, one has to see an aerial view. On our return flight from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, our flight took us over the site and what a sight it was. This is an aerial photo from Wikipedia.
