Grand Cascade in Peterhof – photo, description, history, address, map
Quite a lot of large-scale events are associated with the name of Peter the Great in completely polar areas of government, and therefore his initiatives in the cultural spectrum are not surprising, but rather something like an anxious expectation, because this person never trifled, and therefore the expected composition will also be distinguished by a certain grandiosity. The Grand Cascade, located in Peterhof, a recognized palace and landscape complex that adorns the shores of the Gulf of Finland, became such a composition.
History of creation
The official construction of the Grand Cascade began in 1715 at the initiative of Peter I, and for its construction, as well as for the design of the entire palace and park complex of Peterhof, both domestic and foreign masters were involved, however, Jean-Baptiste Leblon was still considered the chief architect, who suggested using oyster shells in the lining of the cascades, which gives the composition more liveliness and somewhat fabulous notes. Most of the original sculptures, practically not preserved today, were also made according to the sketches of the latter.
The material from which they decided to smelt the entire “population” of the Grand Cascade was unsuccessfully chosen, and the society was very ephemeral and refined. But by the end of the same century, lead recognized the victory of time over itself, and an urgent need arose – to restore or make new statues, but from bronze, as from a more stable material. It was for these purposes that the Academy of Arts presented such recognized masters of their craft as I. Martos, M. Kozlovsky, F. Gordeev, but their verdict turned out to be very disappointing: the statues can no longer be saved, and their too different height upsets the balance of the composition.
The final replacement of the statues took place already by the beginning of the nineteenth century, but not in bronze, but in fine gilding and splendor. Unfortunately, this splendor came to an end when the sky over Peterhof was covered with ugly ulcers from enemy aircraft explosions. Part of the sculptural compositions managed to be transported to the rear, some were disfigured by the bombing, others were barbarously taken to Germany. Restoration work, officially begun with the end of World War II, continues to this day.
sculptures
Most of the sculptural compositions that adorn the gardens and hide among the powerful jets of fountains are more metaphorical, but one way or another, the associative series ends with the maritime domination of the Russian Empire or goes back to the years of victory over the Swedes.
The ideological center of the Great Cascade is Samson, whose powerful body is strained to the limit, continuing to literally tear the bared mouth of a giant lion. Their golden figures are lost among the seething streams. It is noteworthy that according to the original plan, in the place of Samson there should have been another affixed warrior – Hercules, and in the place of the unfortunate king of beasts – a terrifying hydra. Their figures, squeezed in a deadly battle ending in the victory of Hercules, according to the vision of Peter the Great, were supposed to symbolize his victory in the Battle of Poltava, which became the turning point of the Northern War. But the fountain was installed after his death. The idea remains the same, but in a slightly different setting. Now it was timed to coincide with the day of St. Sampson, which coincided so well with the date of the battle itself.
Samson is not the only piece of Greek mythology that can be seen. Here are the Faun, and Perseus, and Jupiter, and the warlike Amazons, and it is Persia that is traditionally associated with the image of the Great Reformer himself. Another legend has almost imperceptibly changed, and now the illustrious warrior is holding a real sword in his hands, but the head of the defeated Gorgon resembles rather the same defeated Charles XII in outline.
Beautiful female images – elusive and graceful – are filled with youth and lively energy. Among all the goddesses – earthly and heavenly – Pandora occupies a special place. Only a real master, experienced in the art of psychological portrait, Fyodor Shubin, could convey all the dramatic complexity of her multifaceted image. Pandora and her sacred vessel – the gods generously endowed her: Aphrodite shared beauty with her, Hermes taught true deceit, and Athena rewarded her with clothes. In exchange for these generous gifts, Pandora descended to the mutilated earth and famously released from her casket.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with other interesting and unique sights of St. Petersburg.
Opening hours and prices
You can see the Peterhof Grand Cascade from 10:30 to 18:00, but the box office closes an hour earlier. The same applies to the opportunity to enter the territory of the palace and park complex – only until 17:00. The full cost of the entrance ticket is 600 rubles, the same guests who belong to the preferential category pay only half the price.