The Peterhof Palace is located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland close to the city of St Petersburg. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and it isn't difficult to see why! This place has more gold leaf than a 1960s tobacconist's. I don't want to beat the history of the place to death because it's all over the Internet as it is. Suffice it to say that construction began in 1714 under the direction of Tsar Peter the Great. By 1725 the work was substantially complete although bits and pieces were added after that date. The Palace was occupied by German troops during World War 2 and they more or less immediately embarked on a campaign of destruction, setting fire to the palace and destroying or looting many of the sculptures and art works. Restoration began almost as soon as the war was over and the work continues to this day. So here's a small selection of the several hundred photographs that I took during the course of this visit.
1. Exterior of the Grand Palace showing the Grand Cascade
2. Exterior of the Grand Palace from the Morskoi Kanal
3. The upper gardens - view over the lake.
4. Grand Palace - The Orthodox Church
5. The Ballroom
6. The Ballroom - detail
7. The Throne of Nicholas I
8. Another throne!
9. Throne with portrait
10. Having the lads round for a chinky takeaway and a few tins - do it in style.
11. Afternoon tea anyone?
12. The old "infinite mirror trick"
13. I hate to harp on about it - but this is a fantastic place.
14. Even the central heating system is spectacular - but then with those Russian winters...
15. You wouldn't want to be a migraine sufferer with wallpaper like this...
16. ... or this.
17. View down the Morskoi Kanal to the Gulf of Finland.
Thanks for looking.
J