Accurately referred to as the ‘Russian Versailles’ the Great Palace of Peterhof was built between 1709 and 1724 under the directions of Peter the Great, but the tsars and tsarinas that followed each wanted to make their own mark, adding another palace or fountain. Although the palaces are themselves great sights, in the summer it’s the 173 glitzy golden fountains that everyone comes to see. Here we give you our guide to some of the most famous and impressive fountains of the park.

The grand cascade – 64 fountains and more than 200 statues, bronze reliefs and other shiny stuff make up this monumental cascade. The design was actually conceived by Peter the Great himself. The centre points were intended to be the grotto (which also formed a secret entrance to the palace) and the giant statue of Samson fighting a lion. Around the cascade you can challenge your friends to a round of spot the mythological heroes while you search for bacchus, Aphrodite, Hermes and Achilles and co. Almost every Greek god you can think of is up on a pedestal here.

The orangery fountains (east of the grand cascade) – Triton fighting a sea monster! The powerful Greek is surrounded by funny looking gold turtles with water sprouting from their mouths, plus the orangery building itself which has a nice cafe.

Golden hill cascade (western hill) – 21 marble steps edged with gilded sheet copper. Water spouts out of medusas heads designed by Rastrelli and passes 12 Italian marble sculptures of yet more classical heroes.

The Roman fountains (east, near the chessboard) – these two giant pieces were inspired by the fountains at St. Peter’s square in Rome, complete with marble reliefs depicting flowers, laurel wreathes and sea shells.

The pyramid (South of the chessboard) – one of the most remarkable fountains in terms of mechanics. Peter saw the obelisk fountain at Versailles and wanted to go one better. So a
system was designed whereby 505 water jets would be placed in a geometrical pattern. By using different taps and pipes the water flow to each one could be controlled so that some jets
would rise higher than others and form a 4-sided pyramid.

The rotating sun (in front of mon plasir) –A big rotating golden ball with water sprouting out of it at the centre of a large pool, which back in the day was quite some ingenious piece of mechanics. Until 1926 the sun was hidden from view behind walls as the pool that surrounds it was used as the royal bathing area.

The Monplaisir garden – in front of the small Monplaisir palace you’ll see a fountain designed to look like a great bunch of wheat with grains spouting out of it. There’s also a couple of fauns, vases and goddesses dotted around the place too (like for example the one on our cover).

Adam and Eve – Based on designs from the Doge’s palace in Venice, Adam and Eve sit in pole position either side of the sea canal surrounded by 16 fountains. Beyond that they are also surrounded by ice-cream sellers and people offering the chance to dress up in elaborate clothing a la Peter and
Catherine the Great.

The trick fountains (east of the sea canal)– Ah, the trick fountains – a great place to cool off on a hot day! There’s the fake tree with water spouting out if it, which sits opposite the bench which gives you a wet bum when you sit on it. Be careful when you are round here, there is a hidden control station which can switch on more hidden fountains at any given moment…

Chess mountain (east hill) – possibly the most out of place disney- esque fountain. This cascade looks like a giant chessboard with water flowing down it. At the top of the chessboard there are three colourful dragons (yes dragons!) preparing to fight each other. Quite random and big and brash as possible.