Spectacular Fountain Designs
Peterhof's Fountains and Gardens
Many of the 120 breathtaking gravity-fed fountains that are commonly associated with Peterhof were not part of the original construction. In fact, at the time of Peter the Great's death in 1725, only three ponds were used for aquaculture and irrigation of the vegetable gardens that would later become the formal Upper Gardens. Since the 1730s those original ponds have been used to hold water from the natural springs on site creating pressure for the fountains below. Also at that time, V. Tuvolkov designed a 4Km (~2.5 mi.) channel that was cut from the hills above to supply sufficient pressure for some of the more spectacular fountains such as the 20m (~66 ft.) waterspout on Samson created by Mikhail Kozlovsky, which commemorates the victory over Sweden.
The Lower Gardens that were created and designed during Peter the Great's reign were laid out in the French geometric design. The fountains and statues that reside there today were added between Peter the Great's death and the Revolution of 1917. Among the fountains that are now found at Peterhof include several trick fountains that are designed to soak the observer should they approach. These include some particularly whimsical statues such as a bench with umbrella that douses you when you sit down, a table with fruit that squirts you when you try to grab the fruit and disguised trees, almost indistinguishable from the real thing, that release concealed water jets when approached.
Additionally, there is the so-called Sea Channel (or "Morskoi Kanal") that bisects the Lower Gardens with a giant pool running the length of the long walkway up to the Grand Palace, smaller water spouts and a small army of gilded statues.
Other fountains at Peterhof include a novel Sun fountain with water coming out the rays of the solar disk, which slowly spin over the course of the day. Another is the exotic pyramid fountain that is actually a series of several fountains that together create the illusion of a large pyramid.
Besides traditional and gag fountains, several cascades reminiscent of Versailles are found at Peterhof, including the Grand Cascade. This very large cascade is notable for being surrounded by dozens of gilded statues and smaller water spouts. The Grand Cascade in particular was a walkway during Peter the Great's time, though the grotto did exist with its secret tunnel to the palace behind it. There is also a black and white tiled or “chess” cascade to the east and the “Golden Mountain” cascade with accompanying marble statues to the west.