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| Theres a masonic symbol on this chapel on the edge of the palace |
first up confession....this is as close as I got. Sadly wasn't informed they were closed for cleaning so never saw inside. What a shame...still...some facts. Built by Peter the Great - to escape his wife no doubt who he ensconced in another palace about 30mins away by today's motorway....far longer by horse and carriage in those days- it was expanded by his daughter Empress Elizabeth.
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| Winter restoration work |
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| The entrance |
Bringing in her favourite architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli ,who had splashed gold all over her other palaces, he went heavy handed with the shiny stuff on this one as well.
But the piece de resistance of this palace actually lies outside- in its ornate gardens.
The Grand Cascade in the middle of the formal gardens stretches out to the sea- with Finland on the other side. 170 fountains and canals powered by a gravity fed pump ensures a spout of water higher than the trees comes out of the lion's mouth at the top of the cascade, his jaws being held apart by Samson to signify Russia's defeat of Sweden in 1709.
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| The Grand Cascade |
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| Doesn't look like much during winter with all the trees boarded up and sculptures covered |
Anyhow- good to see the outside, easy to walk around some of the 300 acres given there were no tourists...but the below is how it looks like in summer when they turn on the fountains and have bus loads of people visiting.
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| The fountains showing the lion |
Worthwhile inclusion in the
1000 places to see before you die book. Well, apparently this is the best palace to see...so yes!
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