“A glorious symbol of the new sea lords that once ruled over Russia” (Unknown)

 

If you have any opinion on what may have been the greatest imperial or royal palace in the world, please hold it until you see Peterhof, located 29 kilometers from downtown Saint Petersburg, built on 31 hectares of land, the size of 500 football fields.

 

Peterhof (Peter’s Courtyard) was built over 40 years (1712 – 1752), with no spared expenses, with the free labor of 5,000 Russian slaves (i.e, serfs). The main architect was a French stalwart: Jean Baptiste Leblond, assisted by Nicola Michetti, Mikhail Zemtsov, and Ivan Blank. The original design was from Peter the Great himself. The architecture is an alloy of Eastern and Western baroques.

The complex was destroyed during the Siege of Saint Petersburg (1941 – 1944).  Before the German invasion, the residents hid many of the original pieces underground; the Germans never found them.  The palace reconstruction resumed in 1946, with the benefits of much more modern technology than other such constructions, such as Versailles, had access to.  The result is an opulent, majestic, breathtaking complex of gardens, fountains, statues and palaces that yields to none, and makes you enthusiastic to claim, “I was there!”.

 

Erected right on the Gulf of Finland, Peterhof can afford the most important of its highlights: 178 fountains, that run on a unique system that requires NO pump, while delivering 1,000 liters of water per second (incredible!).  It also features 7 palaces, 23 museums, countless statues, and probably one million trees.  The statue of Samson, at the Samson’s Fountain, is touted as the symbol of Russia. It cannot fit into any description; you have to see it for yourself.

 

Peterhof hosts 4.2 million visitors, in parity with the Statue of Liberty.  During this visit, the Travel O Ganza group did not have a chance to visit the Grand Palace, they only entered the minuscule Monplaisir Palace.

Overall, it seems that the Residence of the Czars has overall upscaled the Chateau of Versailles.

 

…………………..

Right after the splendor of Peterhof, we enjoyed the beauty and class of one the best restaurants in the Legendary Russian Federation, Blok, at Potomkinskaya Ulitsa, 4, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia, 191123. We had lunch there.

From the building to the décor, from the receptions to the servers, from the starters to the deserts, Blok was the best we had. Ksenia, the manager, is an impressive young lady who speaks perfect English.  I had the opportunity to speak to her several times, before meeting her.  She will tailor your meal or your event the your most sophisticated need.   Call her:  +7 812 415-40-40

 

After lunch we went shopping at Galeria, an American outfit in Saint Petersburg.  It offers 300 shops (from Mango to Helley Hansen), 28 restaurants and cafes and 10 cinema screens (including IMAX).  Prices are affordable and comparable to what we have in the U.S.

On a huge screen in the lobby, 200 fans watched the game between Mexico and Sweden (0-3). In a simultaneous matchup, South Korea defeated Germany (2-0). Mexico and Sweden accessed the knockout phase of the competition.

Later tonight, Brazil triumphed 2-0 against Serbia, while Costa-Rica and Switzerland draw (2-2).  Brazil and Switzerland also advance to the round of 16.  The brave Costa Ricans are going home. Que pena!

 

From the Courtyard Marriott, this is the Traveller reporting from Saint Petersburg, capital of former Imperial Russia…

 

(Odler Robert Jeanlouie, Wednesday June 27, 2018)

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