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Saturday, September 21, 2013

Peterhof Palace

The Grand Palace was to be the centrepiece of Peter the Great's vision of  his 'Russian Versailles' that was started in 1720 only to be continued after his death by his daughter Elizabeth in 1740
The Grand Cascade.......these 64 fountains operate without the use of pumps as the elevation difference creates the pressure to make it all possible. Each May is the official opening of the tourist season and it begins with an all day festival with each section of the fountains being turned on one by one
Peterhof is a UNESCO World Heritage Site 
 Peter the Great and had his vision for his summer residence after visiting France
The largest fountain in the Lower Park is the Samson Fountain who is wrenching apart the lion's jaw surrounded by eight gold dolphins. It was built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Russian victory over the Swedes that happen to be on June 27 (1709) which was St Samson's Day  hence the statue 
Aviary Pavilion 
The Dragon  or Chessboard Hill Cascade ( three dragon figures sit on the top terrace ) is the main feature of the Lower Park that sits 21 meters ( 69 feet) high  was constructed in 1716


Lower Park Gardens and what is more impressive is the fact the master landscapers overcame extremely inclement conditions of the northern climate to create all this greenery and flowers 
Looking down onto the Samson Fountain and the Sea Channel

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