Catherine & Peterhof Palaces

#Catherine_Peterhof_Palaces

Known as the summer residence of the Russian Tsars, it was originally built in 1717 for Catherine (wife of Peter the Great) and was considered a very modest building during those times

It was later transformed by her daughter Empress Elizabeth into the extravagant Rococo styled palace under her favorite architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who was known for his plethora of decorative details, columns and statuary
Then under Catherine the Great another change as the interiors were redesigned as she imported artists and designers from Western Europe to bring the latest trends to Russia that included classical motifs and luxury materials
 To present day, restorations continue as its a major part of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum and Heritage Site

KeyTip
Tickets for the palace also include access to Catherine Park which is free if aged 16 years or younger so plan a half day for viewing both areas
It is suggested to arrive early during peak tourist season to avoid the long lineups

 

In the beginning a large quantity of gold (100kg / 220 pounds) was used during the reconstruction phase (during in the 1700s) and it was applied to the numerous gilded atlantes, caryatids, pilasters plus chapel domes

When Catherine the Great succeeded Elizabeth she found this to be too excessive so had some of the exterior gold gliding replaced with a bronze or an olive green wash

Finally during World War 11 the palace was severely damaged and most of actual plated gold on the facade was lost, thus the exterior today uses a gold paint or gilded stucco

Caryatids and Atlantes
Are Female and Male figures used in architecture  (provides support much like a column would) with both having a Greek history
Caryatids; from the 6th century BC and was connected to Artemis Caryatis for the young women who danced in her honor
 Atlantes; the Greek word Atlas; who was cursed by Zeus to hold up the sky for eternity


German sculptor Johann Franz Dunker made 48 large models for the first story and another 88 statues for the second floor that he finished in 1756

Rocco Architecture
The name itself comes from the French word "rocaille" which refers to natural motifs like rocks and shells in which are prominent in its designs
It was a theatrical style that emerged in the 18th century France
and is characterized by flowing curved lines, pastel color palettes and elaborate decorations

Emphasis was on dramatic type of interior with elaborate focal points like a grand staircase to highlight the surrounding decorations with different viewpoints

Other Locations of Rococo Architecture

A) Amalienburg Pavilion Munich Germany; known for its Hall of Mirrors
B) Hotel de Soubise Paris France;  for its interior in the oval Salon de la Princesse
C) Sanssouci Palace Potsdam Germany; the former residence of Frederick the Great and its terraced gardens
D) Wurzburg Residence Germany; a palace featuring its grand staircase

Amber Room

While Rococo building exteriors are often simpler the inside are richly embellished with sculpted stucco, large mirrors (to reflect the light to expand the sense of space) and of gold accents
Also the theme uses an Illusionistic Art on the ceilings that often feature the vision of open skies or mythological scenes to give you that sense of wonder

As we enter this area the original was considered the "Eighth Wonder of the World" as it was an 18th Century masterpiece containing over six tons of amber, gold leaf and mirrors that eventually was gifted from the Prussian King Frederick William to Russian Tsar Peter the Great

During the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, the German forces dismantled and looted the room panels and had them transported back believing that the "Gift" should be returned to Prussia
But before retreating the soldiers also destroyed 58 rooms by fire but thankfully the Palace caretakers managed to hide some of the smaller items

Then in 1979 the Soviet government began a 24 year project of reconstructing the room by mostly relying on old black and white photos plus a few of the saved original pieces
The new Amber Room finally opened to the public in 2003 to coincide with the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg

The stolen Amber Room panels and trimmings was placed in 27 crates and shipped by rail to the German city of Konigsberg (then the capital of Prussia) which then was reassembled and displayed at the castle within the city
Then during the beginning of the end
The Nazis dismantled and stowed the contents of the Amber Room during the blitz
 as the British and American bombers started attacking the area

Thus it remains one of the art worlds greatest unsolved mysteries
 For its hidden location or did it survive the allied attack (as remember) Amber is an organic gemstone formed from ancient tree resin
 So it could have melted during the explosions and fires within the castle during the air raid

Peterhof Palace

It was built by Peter the Great in the 1700s as a summer country estate but after visiting Versailles France (and being awestruck) he transformed it into a grand imperial residence 

The exterior is primarily constructed from brick, painted in its signature buttercup yellow with white pillars and glided elements
The Palace "only" has 30 rooms, so relatively modest in size compared to other imperial residences

World War Atrocities
The German forces occupied Peterhof from 1941-1944 with widespread looting and systematically destroying much of the palace and its grounds with 70% of the statues that also went missing during this period

Reconstruction started immediately after the German liberation in 1944 with the Lower Park reopened to the public the following year
Slowly then the halls of the Grand Palace in 1964 plus the Grand Cascade and its 138 water jets and so on
Restoration work continues to this day 

The Grand Cascade
It includes 64 fountains, 255 bronze sculptures  and 2 grottoes which are designed to create a spectacular water display that then flows back to the sea channel

Samson Fountain (bottom left)
Its the biblical hero Samson tearing open a lions jaws to symbolize the Russian victory over Sweden in the Great Northern War
The fountain has the highest water spray ( 20 meters or 65 feet) plus is glided to create a impactful visual effect when the sun reflects of it, all to emit the show of strength and power

Canal System
The system uses a natural elevation to create water pressure without pumps that travels from 16kms (10 miles) away to feed the 150 fountains and Cascades at the palace then ultimately flowing back into the Gulf of Finland

The Dragon Cascade
Also known as the Chessboard Hill with its three large brightly colored dragons at the top of the waterfall

Swan Maidens (Rusalki or Vodyanitsy)

Slavic mythology features "water maidens" who can take the form of swans or other water birds
which are associated with bodies of water which according to folklore have two personalities

Aviaries Pavilion
 This twelve-sided dome topped building was built in 1721 to house birds so Peter the Great could enjoy his collection and so he could hear them sing

Upper Park Gardens
It was designed as a front courtyard to create a grand entrance to the palace with its hedges, symmetrical gardens and green lawns

During the war occupation many of the original statues were looted or destroyed
Some were returned while others had to be completely remade based on archival materials

The newer versions were replaced with a more durable gilded bronze that would not deteriorate like the initial lead metal predecessors