St Petersburg Second Day, 3 of 8 - Outdoor Garden The Peterhof Estate

Before going out into the wonderful gardens of The Peterhof Summer Estate we visited the Throne Room in the palace.  We were surprised that the Throne Room did not have an abundance of gold glittery decorations like so many other rooms that we'd visited. 

However, we were pleasantly surprised that the largest room in the palace, the Throne Room was an unpretentious but relaxing room, with both the walls and ceiling painted a pure white. The only other colour that had been added to the walls and part of the ceiling trimmings was the same tourquoise-blue that was used in the Dining Room.  Chandeliers, hanging from the ceiling provide light to lighten the Throne Room at night but most of the light that comes into the room during the day, streams through the two-tiered arched windows which line two sides of this long throne room.  Between each window tall mirrors also reflect light across the room. Royal-red velvet curtains with tassels have been gently draped around the arch of each window and this adds dignity to this large but plain room. 

At the east end of the the room the focal point is the throne. It is seated on a three step dias which is covered in rich royal-red carpet. The  modest sized throne and footstool are also covered in royal-red velvet material with gold trimmings on the legs and edges of the throne. Directly behind and above the throne stands a huge painting of Catherine II, riding her horse. 

The west end wall is covered in series of large canvas oil paintings which depict episodes from naval battles where Russia has been the victor. I have taken  A close-up photograph of one of the paintings. It is very realistic with smoke billowing from burning galley ships. In  the foreground you can just make out sailors who have managed to escape the inferno and mayhem of battle.

Next we headed for the estate gardens. We exited the palace by French doors which opened out onto a grey and white chequered patio but true to form the patio terrace was adorned with rows of green and gold urns with plant and animal motifs. Having just left the grandeur and opulence of the palace we were about to enter the grandeur of the gardens and forest ahead of us. Looking down from the patio lay a  whichformal geometrical layout of gardens, lawns, fountains and waterways which reminded us of the beautiful gardens in the grounds of Versailles in France. Some people refer to The Peterhof Estate as "The  Versailles of Russia". 

However, Peter the Great may have based his garden plans on the grand Versailles concept but he envisioned a garden of epic proportions, filled with golden fountains, water courses, marble statues and staircases and avenues of cherry, apple and lime trees never before seen in Russia.

At the foot of the patio area  is the centrepiece of the palace complex, the Grand Cascade which I will talk about later in the blog. Just below the Grand Cascade we looked down upon a man-made canal which leads out to the sea. This Sea Channel was one of the most adventurous and extensive waterworks projects carried out during the building of the palace and it is still used today to ferry goods and visitors to the Palace complex. The canal divides the garden areas but several bridges cross over the canal and provide access to all areas of the forest and lower garden areas. 

The Lower Park and garden area can be reached either by descending marble stairscases or walking down a long curved driveway. We took the curved driveway route because it look over some very pretty garden beds. When we reached the lower garden area we explored many different pathways. The garden areas were well established with a wonderful array and variety of plants. We also saw several fountains as well as a cafe, enclosed parkland areas and pavilions where many tourists sat relaxing and talking and enjoying the sunshine.  

One of the fountains had a bright bronze muscled half-man-half-fish statue wrestling with a sea monster. It was a " little over the top" for my liking but it fitted in with the baroque style of this palace complex.

The gardens were in full bloom with beautiful blossoms, wonderful perfumes and multi-coloured garden beds designed in perfect patchwork patterns. We came across tree lined pathways that led us through forest glens and rows of spruce trees which would be laden with snow in winter.  
It was such an enjoyable, relaxing and pleasant garden to explore because of the water features, the variety of trees, extremely colourful flower gardens and interesting pathways, full of surprises.

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