Day 11 - Monday, Peterhof

Peterhof was the official summer residence of the czars/tsars. Some great waterworks all fed by gravity - the water flows from reservoirs fed from a river one way down into the Gulf of Finland. That Peter the Great was a kidder, putting in joke fountains. The palace had the same fate as the Catherine Palace, pretty much left in ruins after the war. One notable exception was Peter's original residence down by the Gulf, which had been set with timed explosives, but the Russian army managed to stop the countdown.

The gardens were lovely and green - mostly trees and hedges, but with some pretty flower beds. Apparently Catherine the Great didn't like Peterhof very much as she couldn't escape the sound of water running. Certainly a lot of fountains. Also a lot of gilding. The statues are covered in the winter to keep them glistening. There is a ceremonial turning on and turning off of the fountains at either end of the summer, which have become so popular, what with the fireworks etc, that they do it several times now.

 Fountain with the statue of Eve. She and her opposite number, Adam, were buried in the grounds during the war to keep them safe.

 Peter's residence before the main palace was constructed.

 Waiting, waiting...

 Woohoo!