On June 22 our Ship touched the St. Petersburg's (Russia) harbour. Russia has always been a fascinating place, mysterious, far away from the Western world of democracy and liberalism.In a Catholic School we were asked to write an Essay "Which country I would like to visit" By copy Paste from the Reader's Digest I wrote about Russia and I got the citation for the best essay, an unusual thing in a Catholic school. I had no fascination for Russia but there was an inner desire to see what is there in this country which once was so powerful.
St. Petersburg is the most westernised city of Russia as well as its cultural capital. Some of the monuments here constitute the UNESCO heritage sites. Peter the Great was interested in seafaring and maritime affairs and intended to give Russia a seaport in order to trade with maritime nations.He had a port called Arkhangelsk which was on the white sea and inaccessible to ship during the long winter months. On May, 12, 1703, Peter the Great captured the Port of Nysenkans. He later built the Peter and Paul fortress which became the first brick and stone building of the new city.
The City was built by conscripted peasants from all over Russia besides swedish prisoner of wars, many of whom died in the harsh weather and other difficulties.
After crossing the Neva River and other historic sites, the Coach took us to the town of Tsarskoye Selo, more commonly known as Pushkin which is 30 kms south of St. Petersburg.Catherine I of Russia hired a German architect to construct a summer palace for her.In 1733 it was expanded with a much granded edifice in a flamboyant Rococo style. More than 100 kgs of gold were used to gild the sophisticated stucco facade and numerous statues erected on the roof.
Later Catherine the Great who had a passion for antique and Neoclassical art, employed a Scottish architect who refurbished the interiors in the Neo Palladian style which was in vogue then. Just before entering this Palace is the statue of Pushkin(1799-1837) considered to be one of the greatest Poets/playwright of Russia.He was killed in a duel at a very young age.
The Catherine Palace is one of the design of Russian baroque,with decorated amber panels backed with gold leaf and mirrors. There were several renovations to the Palace adding glory to its size and beauty.The stroll outside gives an idea of the Russian concept of gardening and converting nature into a beautiful masterpiece.
The Grand Cascade(below) is modelled on one constructed for Louis IV at his Chatau Marly which is likewise memorialised in one of the park's outbuildings.
At the centre of the cascade is an artificial grotto with two stories, faced inside and out with hewn brown stone. It currently contains a modest museum of the fountains' history. . The table is rigged with jets of water that soak visitors when they reach for the fruit, a feature from Mannerist gardens that remained popular in Germany. The grotto is connected to the palace above and behind by a hidden corridor.
The fountains of the Grand Cascade are located below the grotto and on either side of it. There are 64 fountains. Their waters flow into a semicircular pool, the terminus of the fountain-lined Sea Channel.
Perhaps the greatest technological achievement of Peterhof is that all of the fountains operate without the use of pumps. Water is supplied from natural springs and collects in reservoirs in the Upper Gardens. The elevation difference creates the pressure that drives most of the fountains of the Lower Gardens, including the Grand Cascade. The Samson Fountain is supplied by a special aqueduct, over four km in length, drawing water and pressure from a high-elevation.
To be continued
St. Petersburg is the second biggest city of Russia with a population of about 5 million. When the tourist coach with a Russian Guide took off from the Port, the city appeared to be like a drab communist city, with those standard living multistoried quarters on the sides, but as we progressed towards the main city, the scenario appeared to be changing.Situated on the river Neva, and at the head of Gulf of Finland, it was founded by the Tsar Peter on May 27, 1703.Between 1713-1728 and 1732-1918 the city was the capital of Imperial Russia.
The City was built by conscripted peasants from all over Russia besides swedish prisoner of wars, many of whom died in the harsh weather and other difficulties.
At the centre of the cascade is an artificial grotto with two stories, faced inside and out with hewn brown stone. It currently contains a modest museum of the fountains' history. . The table is rigged with jets of water that soak visitors when they reach for the fruit, a feature from Mannerist gardens that remained popular in Germany. The grotto is connected to the palace above and behind by a hidden corridor.
The fountains of the Grand Cascade are located below the grotto and on either side of it. There are 64 fountains. Their waters flow into a semicircular pool, the terminus of the fountain-lined Sea Channel.
Perhaps the greatest technological achievement of Peterhof is that all of the fountains operate without the use of pumps. Water is supplied from natural springs and collects in reservoirs in the Upper Gardens. The elevation difference creates the pressure that drives most of the fountains of the Lower Gardens, including the Grand Cascade. The Samson Fountain is supplied by a special aqueduct, over four km in length, drawing water and pressure from a high-elevation.
