Annually the guests of "the capital of fountains" - Petrodvorets make more than three million people. The parks of Peterhof created in the XIX century, represent a vivid example of an interesting stage in development of Russian architecture and landscape art. World-famous paklatial-park ensemble of Petrodvorets (Peterhof till 1944), located at the distance of 29 kilometers from Leningrad, - one of the highest achievements of Russian national culture, is a magnificent example of organic synthesis of architecture and sculpture, landscape gardening and engineering art. The ensemble appeared in the beginning of the XVIII century on the coast of the gulf of Finland, is an original monument in honour of victorious end of the Northern war and the exit of Russia to the Baltic sea. The idea of the ensemble, the basic planning solutions, decorating designs belong to Peter I.
Construction of the aestival ceremonial residence began in 1714, and its solemn opening took place in August 15, 1723. By this time there had formed almost all the elements of the composition of the Upper Garden and the Lower Park, the Upper Chambers (the Great Palace), the Great Cascade, Monplasir Palace had been constructed. For water supply to the fountains of Petrodvorets, and first of all to the Great Cascade, in 1720 1721 under the project of Russian hydraulic engineer V. Tuvolkov a special water passage with storage ponds was constructed. The main feature of Peterhof system of water supply is in absence of any water-pressure constructions and pumps: here the difference of levels on which the ponds and fountains are located is used.
Construction of Peterhof proceeded about two centuries, it expanded, was decorated with new works of outstanding architects and sculptors. Creation of this grandiose complex was carried out by work of thousand "work people ", serfs, soldier, workmen from all parts of Russia, talented marble-workers and casters, parquet floor layers and gilders, carvers and painters. Beginning with 1750th around of Peter parks the complex of tsar’s and grand-ducal residences was formed: the Proper Summer Residence, the English Park, Alexandria, Znamenka. After the Great October socialist revolution the art monuments of Peterhof became national property, they were taken under state protection. The palaces transformed to historic-art museums, opened their doors for workers. On May 18, 1918 the first excursion of workers took place in the Great Palace of Peterhof. During the Soviet government palaces-museums and parks of Peterhof turned into the largest cultural and educational center of the country.
Great Patriotic War has brought to Peterhof ensemble the hardest cross. Approach of fascist armies forced to evacuate the museum values and to shelter the park sculpture in the ground within the shortest possible time. However it was not possible to save everything: On September 23, 1941 enemy armies entered Peterhof.
Almost two years and a half fascist invaders played the master in Peterhof. They ruined the Great Palace and the Great Cascade, the English Palace and Marly. Monplaizir and the Hermitage were damaged. Thousands of trees were cut down, hydraulic engineering constructions were blown up, some monumental bronze sculptures of the Great Cascade were stolen, thousands of works of art were plundered and destroyed.
After deliverance of Petrodvorets in 1944 of 6the palatial-park ensemble as a monument of art practically did not exist. Restorers faced an unprecedented problem - to revive the outstanding monument of Russian national culture. Back in September 14, 1947 the solemn opening the fountain "Samson" took place. By 1958 the building of the Great Palace had been restored, the project of its restoration had been created by the architects V. Savkov and E. Kazanskaya. Creative activity of talented restorers gave the magnificent result - Petrodvorets was raised from ruins. In the Lower Park and the Upper Garden 172 fountains and 3 cascades were restored, 15 monumental statues and over 330 decorative details of bronze and lead were reconstructed. The museum the Great Palace, Monplaizir, the Hermitage pavilion, and the Cottage Palace in Alexandria park are open for visitors.
Revived with the hands of the Soviet people the palatial-park ensemble of Petrodvorets is a symbol of the victory of humanism over barbarity, an eternal monument to the heroes of Russia. For significant contribution to restoration and development of palaces-museums and parks and in connection with the 250th anniversary of the palatial-park ensemble by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of November 26, 1973 the city of Petrodvorets was awarded the order of Badge of Honor.
