Peterhof's history from the reign of Peter I until today

One of the most amazing and beautiful European palaces is situated not far from St. Petersburg and known as the Peterhof. The story briefly describes the creation of this amazing place. And we will try to go quickly through the most important stages of the life of Peterhof.

A place

The Legend says that place for this city was chosen by Peter the great In 1705 a small vessel “Muncer” reached the shore of the Gulf of Finland in 40 km from the newly built St. Petersburg. From here they could see the horizons of the Baltic sea and a large island, which at that time was the construction of a formidable fortress-Kronshlot. In 1708 appeared the first mention of priests built the manor wooden Palace of Peter I, which the king himself called “horonzy”. So began the history of Peterhof.

Project state residence

In 1710, was made the first steps to change horoman in the luxurious Palace of Peterhof. The story tells that Peter I after the victory over Sweden made a journey to France. There he studied the layout of the brilliant French Royal residences – Choisy, Trianon, Versailles. Particular attention was paid to a variety of technical solutions and parts of parks and fountains.

In 1716, the king was discharged from France's famous architect Alexander Le blond, appointing him General-the architect of the future Peterhof. Many of the ideas brought to life by Italian architects – Bartolomeo Carlo Rastrelli, Niccolo Michetti, the master fountains – the Venetians Giuliano and Giovanni Barattini.

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First

Work on the construction of Peterhof was conducted with incredible speed, and in August 1725, held its Grand opening. By this time it acted the majority of the fountains were dug Sea canal and laid out the Park, also built small palaces – Marly and Monplaisir.

The Honor to produce the first layout of Peterhof had M. G. Zemtsov – the famous Russian architect. Prior to this, on site there was no space for peasants, which it was built. Thanks to the clear layout of the Peterhof received two additional buildings – for the state peasants was built Artisan housing, for court – cavalry.

Lapidary factory, formed in 1725, was the first industrial facility that received the Peterhof. Its history is closely connected with the construction of this architectural masterpiece. The main objective of the factory was a stone that went into the construction of palaces and architectural structures of the future city. By this time it began work on the construction of the water pipeline, which was supposed to feed the fountains of Peterhof. The history of this powerful waterworks began in the river Ropsha. Its water was to provide water to all the fountains and Park ensemble of Peterhof name.

History of the Palace in XVII-XVIII centuries

During the reign of Catherine I and Anna Ioannovna in Peterhof was implemented ideas and architectural improvements of Peter I. When the throne ascended Elizabeth, she invited the son of the famous Carlo Rastrelli, who by that time had already established himself as a brilliant architect. Francesco Rastrelli headed the work on the reconstruction of Peterhof. When it was converted to the Upper chamber, decorated the Upper garden. Also there was built a new Elizabethan body which is organically entered in already established Peterhof.

History is silent about any radical change in the years of the reign of Catherine II. All conversions during this period was to change the interior decoration of palaces and the renaming of the Elizabethan case to Catherine.

At the time of the ascension to the throne of Paul I, architectural construction of the Peterhof in urgent need of major repairs, and cascades of fountains has not acted. It took years of massive reconstruction of the entire Palace complex. The scope of work was so great that the final restoration of the Peterhof had already at the beginning of the XIX century, when the throne sat the son of Paul I – Alexander I.

Peterhof in the nineteenth century

To the beginning of the century in the Peterhof suburb there were fifty houses of the inhabitants and the various non-residential buildings-stables, sheds and stuff. Alexander I ordered to rebuild the most ugly buildings. Projects for new homes was developed by V. P. Stasov and others. Transformed the building served as the barracks for several cavalry regiments.

Under Nicholas I, the territory of Peterhof was expanded through the purchase of lands East of the Lower Park. Since 1826 the building of Peterhof are complemented by two-story Cottage that belonged to the wife of Nicholas I-Alexandra. Later was built the farm Palace and you will find a Landscape Park.

The Reign of Alexander II was marked by the opening of the railroad, which connected Petersburg and Peterhof. History of the Palace complex until 1917, is a brilliant life brilliant ladies and gentlemen, members of the Royal family and the St. Petersburg nobles.

Peterhof in the twentieth century

After the revolution, the Palace and Park ensemble was nationalized. In 1918, according to hisbrilliant halls hosted the first tour of the workers. But the full restoration of the ensemble was conducted for about 10 years. By 1926, it was reconstructed fountains of the lower Park, and by 1930 made the replacement of the fountain piping and restored the overgrown Upper garden.

The Great Patriotic war has not spared the Peterhof. Most of the exhibits were destroyed or stolen, and architectural structures has become a pile of rubble. After the liberation of Peterhof in 1944, immediately began the repair work, which lasted about 30 years. Only in 1973, the Palace and Park complex was returned to its original appearance, and since then, the Peterhof does not get tired to conquer the hearts of both Russians and foreign tourists.