Discover Peterhof: Palace and Gardens

• The Peterhof architectural and park ensemble served as the emperors’ official summer residence for 200 years and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990.
• The façade of the Grand Peterhof Palace stretches almost 300 meters along the terrace.
• The Lower Park is divided into three interconnected areas: Parade, Marly, and Monplaisir.
• Five fountains have adorned the Upper Garden since the time of Anna Ioannovna.
• Monplaisir Palace stands on the shore of the Gulf of Finland.

In the composition of the ensemble, the Grand Peterhof Palace connects the Upper Garden and Lower Park into an artistic whole. Its façade stretches almost 300 meters along the terrace. The connection between the two garden areas is therefore just as much a part of Peterhof’s character as the scale of the palace itself.

The Lower Park is divided into three connected areas: the central Parade area, the western Marly area, and the eastern Monplaisir area. Two systems of avenues fan out from the Grand Palace and Marly Palace, shaping the layout. The Lower Park was designed by J.-B. Leblond and laid out on the model of formal French gardens. These features provide a useful guide when viewing the park as a designed landscape rather than focusing only on individual buildings.

Several different features sit side by side in the Upper Garden: five fountains that have adorned it since the time of Anna Ioannovna, a rose garden in the bosquets by the eastern pond, and the Baroque sculpture group “Neptune” in the central pool. The garden is also a place where Peterhof residents and visitors go for walks.

The Lower Park has a different layout. Its slopes are home to the cascades “Bolshoy,” “Shakhmatnaya gora” in the east, and “Zolotaya gora” in the west. “Bolshoy” is centrally located at the foot of the Parade Palace. The park also features the trick fountains “Benches,” “Umbrella,” “Oak,” “Firs,” and “Water Road.”

The labyrinth is another landmark: it lies in the eastern part of the Lower Park, next to Marly Avenue. It was reconstructed based on archaeological research and surviving archival documents. In this way, the Lower Park brings together spatial order, named cascades, and the history of a reconstruction, while fountains, sculpture, and the rose garden define the Upper Garden.

The architectural and park ensemble served as the emperors’ official summer residence for 200 years. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990. The design of the Lower Park is also part of this history: it was modeled on formal French gardens, and J.-B. Leblond designed the grounds.

Museum collections include Russian furniture made from poplar, Karelian birch, and mahogany at the museum in the Catherine Corps. The House of Playing Cards explores a different subject: it is a museum project about the history of playing cards, viewed both as works of art and as popular entertainment. Its concept is described as a “museum spectacle.” If you plan to visit the House of Playing Cards, check the current visitor arrangements.

Monplaisir Palace offers another distinctive perspective. It was Peter the Great’s favorite country residence and stands on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. Together with the Grand Peterhof Palace, it shows how Peterhof’s historic buildings differ, without serving the same role in the ensemble.

Where is the labyrinth in the Lower Park?

It is in the eastern part of the Lower Park, next to Marly Avenue. It was reconstructed based on archaeological research and surviving archival documents.

When was Peterhof added to the UNESCO World Heritage List?

The Peterhof architectural and park ensemble was added in 1990. Before that, it had served as the emperors’ official summer residence for 200 years.

What distinguishes the Upper Garden from the Lower Park?

The Upper Garden includes five fountains, a rose garden, and the “Neptune” sculpture group, among other features. The Lower Park is divided into three areas and includes named cascades and trick fountains.

What is the House of Playing Cards?

It is a museum project about the history of playing cards, with a concept described as a “museum spectacle.” Check the current visitor arrangements before planning a visit.

For the broader travel overview: Saint Petersburg.

Useful information for planning your trip:

Peterhof near Saint Petersburg: palace, park, and visitor planning.