Peterhof

St. Petersburg is home to one of its most celebrated attractions: the awe-inspiring palace and park at Peterhof, also known as Petrodvorets. Often compared to Versailles, some visitors find this comparison underestimates the sheer grandeur and vastness of the estate. Inspired by Versailles, Peter the Great envisioned an imperial palace just outside his new city. After initial plans at Strelna didn't pan out, Peterhof—meaning "Peter's Court" in German—became the chosen site for his Monplaisir Palace and later, the original Grand Palace. This estate was a favorite of Peter's daughter, Empress Elizabeth, who initiated the expansion of the Grand Palace and extended the park, adding the breathtaking Grand Cascade fountains.

Enhancements to the park continued through the 18th and 19th centuries. Catherine the Great left her mark here before relocating the court to Pushkin. Yet, under Nicholas I, Peterhof regained its status as the official Imperial Residence. In 1826, he commissioned the construction of the charming Cottage Palace.

World War II took a toll on many of St. Petersburg's suburban estates, and Peterhof was no exception. German troops left it in ruins. Nevertheless, it was among the first to be revived. With the efforts of military engineers and over a thousand volunteers, the Lower Park reopened to the public in 1945. By 1952, the facades of the Grand Palace were restored. In 1944, the name was changed to Petrodvorets to shed its Germanic roots, a name still used for the surrounding town. Today, the palace and park have reclaimed their historic title of Peterhof. If you visit, don't miss the chance to explore the exquisite gardens and fountains that stretch all the way to the Gulf of Finland. It's a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or a picturesque picnic, and you'll find yourself transported back to a time of imperial splendor.