Webcam Peterhof. Yard on Peterhofskaya Street (Leningrad region).
Peterhof is one of the largest palace and park ensembles in Russia and a state museum-reserve. It is located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. Peterhof is one of the top - 10 most beautiful palaces and park complexes in the world. The main symbols of Peterhof - are, of course, the fountains. Peterhof is often called the Russian Versailles.
The idea of building Peterhof came to Peter I after he returned from Paris. Great impression was made on the Russian Tsar of Versailles, and it was decided to create a similar place in Russia. Well-known architects of many countries - Russia, France, Italy - took part in the building of the palace and park complex. The system of water supply to all the fountains was designed and implemented by the Russian Tsar himself. Water flows from the Ropsha heights gravity flow into the fountains of Peterhof, while providing the necessary head. The system operates on part of the fountains to this day and is unique and not found anywhere else in the world.
The first launch of the fountains took place in 1721. The occasion was the victory of Russia in the Great Northern War. After the discovery of Peterhof, Peter Alexeyevich decided to move here the summer residence of the royal family.
During the reign of Nicholas I the foundation of several new parks (Lugovoy and Alexandria) was started, and the Belvedere and Gothic chapel were built. After Peterhof was nationalized in 1918, however, most of it fell into decay. In 1924, the ensemble suffered a flood. Restoration work began in 1926.
Peterhof was thoroughly destroyed during the Second World War. Work on the restoration began immediately after the end of hostilities and in the summer of 1946, all the fountains were functioning.
