Up early today as we pack to leave for our cruise. We had to have our suitcases packed and tagged outside of our room by 7AM. An early breakfast at the hotel, back to our room to get caught up with last minute Internet and we will leave at 8:45 for the Peterhof Palace. After an hour long bus ride we will start our tour of a palace known as the Russian Versailles. After the tour we will head to the boat with the only activity tonight being dinner.
Construction of Peterhof Palace began in 1714 based upon sketches by Peter the Great. It is built on the Gulf of Finland and on a clear day you can see St. Petersburg from it's shores. During WWII when the German troops captured Peterhof, employees were able to save some of the treasures and fountains, however most of the fountains were destroyed and the most of the palace was blown up and left to burn. However in 1944, restoration work began and continues today. Looking at the wartime photos, it's unbelievable to imagine how much work has been accomplished. The palace is beautiful but the fountains are most impressive as they all operate without pumps as they use water from natural springs located at higher elevations above the palace. More about the palace in my Peterhof blog.