Grand Cascade and Samson Fountain
A monument to the victory over Sweden. Works without a single pump.
The Grand Cascade is not just a fountain but a triumphal monument to the victory in the Great Northern War. Its stone part is cut into the slope and works as a retaining wall, holding up the hill beneath the Grand Palace. The centre was originally intended for Hercules defeating the Hydra, but during construction he was replaced by Samson tearing open a lion's jaws: the Battle of Poltava took place on the feast day of Saint Sampson, and the lion is the symbol of Sweden. The original statue was taken away by the occupiers during the war, and Samson was recreated after the victory. It is amazing that all this power works without pumps: water flows by gravity from the Ropsha Heights along canals more than 20 kilometres long — on the principle of communicating vessels.
Walks in Peterhof / Day trips
⛲ Lower Park from the "back entrance": Marly, the Hermitage Pavilion, Monplaisir
We enter the Lower Park from the quiet western side and walk against the tourist flow: Marly's fish ponds, the dining room with a rising table, Peter's little house and the Samson Fountain.
🥾 All of Peterhof in a day: from west to east
A big hike for those who love walking: from Sobstvennaya Dacha through the entire Lower Park, the Colonist Islands and the cathedral — to the Cottage Palace in Alexandria. Return by bus or taxi.