The town of Peterhof was known as Petrodvorets when I came in 1975 and has changed its name to Peterhof at some time since then. I can’t help wondering whether Boris Yeltsin changed it to suck up to the Germans and attract German tourists (and money). We got into the Rear Park through a gate opening onto the main road and walked down to the palace past large ponds which had been drained of water. Entry into the palace cost 2,000 roubles (£19) each which, for Russia is a staggering amount. Especially as the fountains weren’t working and the Grand Cascade, the most iconic feature of the site, wasn’t working. The Hermitage cost £5 and was 10 times better. However Peter’s Palace was magnificent, despite the need for us to put on silly shoe-covers to protect the floors.
There are plenty of road signs to tiny little villages, some of which may even have been abandoned as people migrate to the towns, but precious few signs to major cities like Pskov. We were driving along a beautiful road when I saw a sign pointing left to Pskov, then continued along a bumpy road until I realised we were lost. A friendly woman at a Pyatirochka supermarket pointed back the way we had come and, having seen a sign which showed we were on the right road, we stopped at a service station on the edge of the small town of Gdob, ate a virtually inedible meat pie, and then had a good night’s sleep.
A church on the main road near the Palace entrance
Typical Peterhof architecture
A dry pond in the Rear Garden. I think the gilt fishes might be fountains
A large dry pond with a statue of Neptune
A church at the eastern end of the palace. It includes a magnificent iconostasis and Nikolai II’s throne. However it is only open at weekends.
A light at the top of the Grand Cascade.
The Grand Cascade of fountains (not working)
Jennifer’s new shoes
The stairs up to the rooms.
The top of the stairs
The Ballroom
The Blue Reception Room
Painting on the ceiling of the Chesme Room
The Throne Room
Portrait of Catherine III
The Audience Hall (Room for Ladies in Waiting
The White Dining Room (commissioned by Catherine II in 1768, crockery by Wedgewood.
Clock in the White Dining Room
The Chinese Cabinets Room
Porcelain Chinese foo dog in the Chinese Cabinet Room
The Picture Hall
Harp in the Partridge Room
The Divan Room
The Dressing Room
Stove in the Dressing Room
The Large (Blue) Drawing Room
Stove in the Large (Blue) Drawing Room
The Oak Study of Peter the Great, oldest room in the palace