The idea of a country residence , which by its luxury is not inferior to the French Versailles, originated by Peter I in 1714.The surviving drawings king, his decrees and notes on the documents make it possible to argue that the overall concept plan of the ensemble , and sometimes the detailed design of individual elements of the architecture and fountains , will be owned by the founder of Peterhof. The pace with which erected the residence , struck and amazed .By this time, was laid out Lower Park, Sea Canal was dug , operated part of the fountains were decorated with the upper chamber, built Monplaisir, Marley, is almost ready Hermitage, built more than 20 wooden galleries and pavilions , various trellis fence, the Grand Cascade , Marly Palace, not yet marble ,but from time to time in force ; sixteen powerful fountains, such as Big and Menazhernye , Pyramid, Sheaf , water cannons in a trellis niches on the sides of the canal and fountain Menazhernogo pondIn August 1723 , the opening ceremony of Peterhof (Peterhof , translated from Dutch - yard Peter). On cascades , fountains, terraces and alleys were gilded lead , marble , alabaster and wood statues , vases and busts.Trimmed bushes and trees , multicolored flower gardens and rare plants in painted ceramic vases and tubs with gold hoop completed the picture gardens of Peterhof, where the overall scope and grandeur combined with elegance and exquisite detail the artistic decoration of palace interiors.
seaside residence of Peterhof , argued with the magnificence of the renowned royal and princely park ensembles in France, Germany and Italy, Europe, amazed not less than the new Russian capital of St. Petersburg.
The opponents of Peter's reforms, surrounding the young Peter II, exported to Moscow , St. Petersburg and Peterhof betrayed oblivion , condemning them to devastation and destruction.It was only in 1730, by order of Anna Ivanovna, was trying to present himself worthy successor of Peter I, in Peterhof began a new rise construction , which lasted ten years. It is fully connected to robust and diverse activities of one of the most talented Russian architects of the first half of XVIII century M. Zemtsov .Renowned art critic VY Kurbatov in 1925 wrote: Russia has put forward Zemtsova , which is a real creator of Peterhof, and who managed to embody the most advanced artistic ideas floating in the environment of the Paris Masters, while these thoughts anywhere else in Europe except in Paris and the Peterhof, not were understood and used .
Great Patriotic War was for the Peterhof ensemble time of trial . Hitler's troops stormed the Peterhof September 20, 1941 and after three days of fighting, captured the city. Occupants have held here until January 19 , 1944. During this time, they plundered and destroyed the art treasures of Peterhof.In all the parks, cut down trees, ruined palaces, pavilions and bridges . The biggest damage was caused to the Lower Park and Upper Garden. Anti- debris of old trees , trenches , bunkers , pillboxes, bunkers , trenches , craters, barbed wire , mines have territory in many places almost impassable. The Grand Palace invaders blew up and burned.The fire destroyed the interiors of Catherine's body. A time bomb was exploded Marly Palace . Extensive damage was caused to Mon Plaisir , the Hermitage, the Great Cascade and cascades of golden mountain , and chess mountain. Of action were put underground drainage line.The Nazis have taken the statue of Samson, Magus , Neva , newts , lead reliefs of the Grand Cascade , thousands of museum items .
After the war , thanks to the work of engineers and thousands of Leningrad who went to clean up parks, June 17, 1945 Lower Park was open for walking, and August 25, 1946 entered into force 38 water jets of the central part of the park .
A historical moment in the history of Peterhof was September 14, 1947 , when in front of the stage took its place gilt bronze group of Samson rending the lion's mouth . Risen from the ashes of Peterhof fascinating fusion of architecture, sculpture and the moving water , the harmony of nature and works of art .
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