Address: Peterhof, Lower Park
Coordinates: 59 ° 52'59.5 "N 29 ° 54'59.9" E
Content:
The most spacious square in the eastern part of the Lower Park is decorated with a large water cascade. It is called differently - the Ruin Cascade, the Small Grotto, the Dragon Cascade. But most often the picturesque fountain is called "Chess Mountain". And all because the drain steps along which the water runs are very similar to a chessboard.
General view of the Chess Mountain cascade
History of the cascade
Like most of the fountains of Peterhof, the cascade on the slope of the Lower Park was conceived by Peter I. At the beginning of the 18th century, allegory reigned in art and literature, so the emperor wanted the new fountain to become a symbol of Russia's victory over the Swedish fortresses. According to the plan of Peter I, the cascade was to be built in the form of a destroyed fortress tower.
They embodied the idea of the emperor after his death. Famous architects Johann Friedrich Braunstein, Nicola Michetti, Timofey Usov, Mikhail Grigorievich Zemtsov and Ivan Yakovlevich Blank had a chance to work on the cascade. Other architects also took part in its decoration, creating a splendid palace and park ensemble near St. Petersburg.
View of the cascade from Nikolskaya Alley
The statues on the sides of the Chess Mountain were made in Peter's times by carvers from Italy, and they were brought to Russia in 1724. In the 1730s, the appearance of the cascade was radically changed. The figures of three dragons appeared on it, guarding the entrance to the stone grotto. The expressive winged monsters were made of wood after designs by the court sculptor Johann Konrad Osner. The steps for the chessboards were first painted in 1769, and after that the name "Chess Mountain" was assigned to the cascade.
In the summer of 1941, before the territory of Peterhof was occupied by German troops, the park staff removed the marble sculptures from the pedestals and buried them in the ground. Thanks to this, the white-stone statues of the 18th century have been preserved to this day.
Drain steps in the form of a checkerboard
In the postwar years, they decided to raise Peterhof from the ruins. The scale of destruction in the parks was so great that the fountains were gradually restored. The marble statues were dug, restored and reinstalled, while the Chess Mountain and the dragon figures were rebuilt using drawings and descriptions from the 18th century. The renovated cascade was opened for visitors in 1953.
What a fountain looks like today
The spacious square on which Chess Mountain is located looks very picturesque. It looks like a large ceremonial hall spread out in the open air. Five alleys diverge to the sides of the open space. If you go from here to the west, you can get to the Orangery building and the beautiful Triton fountain. And if you go to the north, it is not difficult to get to the famous fountains-jokers - "Yolochki", Dubka "and" Umbrella ".
View of the fountain from the side of the "Triton" fountain
The Chess Mountain is built on the slope of a natural hill. The upper part of the water cascade is shaped like a stone grotto, under which there are three sculptures of winged dragons. The door to the Upper Grotto is closed. Dragons are painted with bright colors, and sonorous streams of water burst from the jaws of monsters. The stream rushes down the slope and flows down four extended slopes, each of which is painted in black and white squares. The falling water travels a distance of 32 meters and makes the steps look like large mirrors.
At the very end, the water stream forms a wide curtain, reminiscent of a natural waterfall. The impression is enhanced by the entrance to the Lower Grotto, surrounded by stone walls. Below, under the fountain near the round pool, there is a bright flower bed.
Dragons on top of the cascade
On the sides of the fountain cascade, there are staircases with railings for visitors. And behind them on pedestals are sculptures of ancient gods and heroes - five on each side. On the left are the statues of Priestess, Olympia, Jupiter, Flora and Neptune, while on the right you can see Pluto, Flora, Vulcan, Adonis and Tsetsera.
Chess Mountain is located on the territory of the Lower Park. This part of the palace and park ensemble of Peterhof is open to visitors from 9.00 to 21.00, and on holidays - until 20.00. To get here, you need to buy a ticket. In summer, the water in the fountain cascade is run daily from 10.00 to 19.00.
