Description of the attraction
The Grand Palace is the center of the Peterhof ensemble, which is located in the city of Peterhof, 29 km from St. Petersburg, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. This is the so-called "crown" residence of the Russian tsars. A majestic three-story building stretches along the terrace for almost 300 m.
The idea of the location of the royal residence and the original appearance of the Upland Chambers belonged to Peter the Great.
Over the creation of the architectural appearance and design of the interior decoration of the Grand Palace during the 18-19th centuries. famous Western European and Russian masters worked: J.-B. Leblond, I.-F. Braunstein, F.-B. Rastrelli, M. Zemtsov, N. Michetti, A. I. Stackenschneider. Until now, visitors to the Great Peterhof Palace do not get tired of admiring its splendor.
Originally a palace built in 1714-1725. according to the project of J.-B. Leblond and I. Braunstein, looked rather modest. Later in 1745-1755. it was rebuilt by Elizaveta Petrovna on the model of the Versailles Palace according to the project of F.-B. Rastrelli in the mature baroque style.
Particularly impressive is the view of the facade of the Grand Palace from the Lower or Upper Park. But in reality, the building of the Grand Palace is rather narrow and not as huge as it seems at first glance. The Grand Palace includes about 30 rooms, which include luxurious ceremonial rooms, plastered like marble, with inlaid parquet, painted ceilings, and gilded walls.
Among the numerous halls of the palace, there are: the Blue Reception Room, the Ballroom, the Chesme Hall, the White Dining Room, the Audience Hall, the Chinese Cabinets, the Picture Hall, the Partial Living Room, the Empress's Study, the Crown, the Big Blue Living Room, the Cavalier's, the Dressing Room, the Standard, etc.
In the Peter's part of the palace, the Oak Cabinet of the first Russian emperor has been preserved to this day. The main element of the decoration of these small cozy chambers is carved oak panels, which were created during the life of Tsar Peter I by the French sculptor Nicolas Pinault. The Oak Office also displays personal belongings of Peter I, including a travel clock made by the German master Johann Benner.
During the reign of the daughter of Peter I, Elizabeth, in the middle of the 18th century, the consummate master of the Baroque style, the famous architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, worked in Peterhof. The interiors that were created by the genius of Rastrelli are typically characterized by an abundance of gilded wood carvings, numerous mirrors, inlaid parquet floors made of different types of wood, bright and colorful ceiling shades.
Almost the entire western wing of the Grand Palace is the Dance Hall (in the 18th century it was called the Merchant Hall). Legend has it that Empress Elizabeth Petrovna specifically demanded that Rastrelli decorate this hall richer, since the main purpose of this hall was to receive eminent representatives of the merchants, who, according to Elizabeth, were very fond of everything gold.
New alterations and changes to the interiors of the Grand Palace took place in the second half of the 18th century. in a fashionable classic style at that time. Famous architects Zh.. B. Wallen-Delamot and Yu. M. Felten in 1760-1770 were engaged in the design of the interiors of the Chesme, Throne rooms, Chinese offices.
As a result of two hundred years of construction, a delightful palace turned out, where, next to the modest chambers of Peter's times, the halls of the middle of the 18th century shine with luxury and splendor. in the baroque style. Next to them, the solemn apartments in the style of classicism keep calm and austerity. They are replaced by chambers of the mid-19th century, in which the artistic principles of the Rococo style are revived.
The Grand Palace in Peterhof was the center of the official summer life of Russia: it was here that many important issues for the country were resolved, receptions of eminent guests, holidays, masquerades and balls were held.
Today, the Grand Palace is a unique historical and art museum with a collection of about three and a half thousand exhibits, which includes paintings, pieces of furniture, fabrics, lamps, dishes that met the tastes of the royal owners of the palace.
