The Summer Palace and Garden, also called the Peterhof Summer Palace and Garden
(Petrodvorets), is a former Russian royal residence located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Located on the bank of the Fontanka River, across from the
Peter and Paul Fortress the Summer Palace was constructed between 1710
and 1714 for Tsar Peter the Great.
Designed by Domenico Trezzini , the Baroque-style, masonry palace is surprisingly modest by Russian Imperial standards containing just 14 main rooms. The palace and park was commissioned by Peter the Great in the style of Royal parks that were popular in Western Europe at the time. The mansion was
designed as an entertainment center and was intended for warm weather use only having no heat.
Peter moved into the partially completed palace in 1712 and spend summers here until his death in 1725. Peter occupied the lower level while his wife Catherine preferred the upper rooms.
The park contains over 80 original marble statues and fountains remain in the gardens. The gardens, which were originally more formal than the current landscape, were the site of Imperial “assemblies,” lavish parties which often included balls, feasts, and fireworks.
The palace was damaged during the Great Patriotic War (World War II) and was
later restored. The palace is now a museum and both the house and gardens are open to the public.
See also
