We began our day with our lackluster breakfast at the hotel and went on our tour of Peterhof. This summer home of Peter the Great had all sorts of gold, marble and beautiful wood parquet floors. We had to put on shoe coverings to enter the rooms. Most of the rooms also had silk on the walls that looked like it could be wallpaper but was nice silk. There were also a couple of rooms that contained oriental screens and numerous other items from Asia. This was something exotic at the time and was fashionable to display these types of things. In fact, it was the trend to have architectural styles such as neo-classical, baroque or rococo because that was also fashionable.
Peterhof Palace
We also walked around the gardens with all sorts of fountains and sculptures. The garden was very relaxing and enjoyable. Some of the fountains were actually follies. If you sat on a particular bench, you could get a quick shower. Another one was composed of cobblestones and depending how you stepped, you could generate a spray of water. This would be great on a hot day.
This lovely view was down to the Gulf of Finland.
It was difficult to get photos without other tourists. The place was just packed with tourists who were in large groups.
Notice there is gold on many of the figures. They have to paint it with gold leaf about every three years because of the weather conditions.
This would be a nice bench to relax on, if only you didn't get wet. This little girl was taking no chances. Her umbrella is getting wet before she can get across the stones.
Water flowing over the edges from mock chessboard designs.
This is the other home of Putin. We aren't sure if it is his personal home or a government home. He is originally from St. Petersburg so who knows.
The three photos above are for a special program that is scheduled for the weekend. Some of the students are practicing. We did think it was strange that the Russian sweatshirts for this Russian dance group were written in English.
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