Fun at the Fountains

While the photos in the previous two posts showed the vista of the main fountains at Peterhof, the grounds are filled with smaller fountains and even some fun fountains. For example, there are various 'surprise' fountains, where guests could be walking along and a sudden unlucky burst of water would spray them. Our guide gave up the secret, pointing out the small outbuilding where an operator would be watching, ready to press a button to soak a person. I did like the tiny spray from the red blossom seen here.

We were present on a Friday in July, and the grounds were crowded with tourists and with several wedding parties, out for locations for their couple pictures. Several actors and actresses were also on hand to add to the festive air. When we had enjoyed a lunch at Peterhof, we were back on the bus and ready to see something a lot more serious. That will be seen in the next post.

Fountains of Gold

Suffice it to say that the gardens of Peterhof are blessed with water, rife with fountains, and nearly breathtaking in their beauty. Many manicured gardens featuring brightly-colored flowers and shrubbery go unnoticed at times as the eye is drawn to the movement of the fountains and the ear is attracted by the sound of flowing water.

We were fortunate in the timing that started us indoors, along with everyone else, and let us out on the major crossing balcony seen in these pictures. We emerged to see a crowd of people watching quiet, inactive fountains. Just as we got prepared for it, the turn of the hour started the flow and we had seen the opening of the fountains. It was a wonderful awakening.

Peterhof

We had been warned aboard ship that in Russia, photography is permitted in many more locations than some cities, but that a permit would be required. Either a $3 or a $6 fee -- payable in American dollars -- would earn the right to take photos including flash in most locations. For no discernible reason, this was not true at Peterhof. The awesome fountains and beautiful gardens were photographable at no charge; no photos were allowed indoors.

So I looked and saw and did not photograph. The feeling was to be repeated on the next day, when photography was allowed, so I will reserve my feelings until then. Meanwhile, we will look at the wonderful fountains of Peterhof, with one example seen here, and more to come in the next post.