The Grand Palace is the center of the Peterhof ensemble, which is located in Peterhof 29 km from St. Petersburg on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland. This so-called "crown", the residence of Russian tsars. Almost 300 m stretches along the terrace of the majestic three-story building.
The idea of the location of the Royal residence and the original appearance of Upland chambers belonged to Peter the Great.

The architectural appearance and design of the interior decoration of the Grand Palace during the 18th-19th centuries worked famous Western European and Russian masters: J.-B. Leblond, J.-F. Braunstein, F.-B. Rastrelli, M. Zemtsov, N. The Michetti, A. I. Voronikhin. Still visitors the Grand Peterhof Palace do not get tired to admire his magnificence.

Originally a Palace built in 1714-1725, according to a project by Jean-Baptiste Le blond and I. Braunstein, looked quite modest. Later in 1745-1755, it was rebuilt Elizabeth on the model of Versailles Palace designed by Rastrelli in the Baroque style.

Particularly impressive is the view of the facade of the Grand Palace from the Bottom or Top of the Park. But actually the building of the Grand Palace is quite narrow and not as huge as it seems at first glance. The Grand Palace includes about 30 rooms, which include luxurious state rooms, plastered marble, with inlaid parquet floors, painted ceilings, gilded walls.

Among the many halls of the Palace of release: Blue reception room, Dance hall, Chesme room, White dining room, the Audience hall, Chinese cabinets, Picture hall, partridge's living room, the Office of the Empress, the Crown, the Big blue room, the Chevalier, Toilet, Standartnuyu, etc.

In Peter's part of the Palace has so far survived the Oak room of the first Russian Emperor. The main element of the decoration of these small cozy quarters - carved oak panels that were created during the life of Tsar Peter the great French sculptor Nicolas Pineau. In an Oak Cabinet presents and personal belongings of Peter the great, including the carriage clock made by the German master Johann Benner.

During the reign of Peter I's daughter, Elizabeth, in the mid-18th century, in Peterhof worked as an unsurpassed master of the Baroque style, the famous architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. For interiors that have been created by the genius of Rastrelli's typically an abundance of gilded wood carving, numerous mirrors, inlaid parquet floors, made of different wood species, bright and colorful ceiling diffusers.

Almost all of the West wing of the Grand Palace is a dancefloor ( in the 18th century it was called the Merchants ' hall). The legend says that the Empress Elizabeth demanded specifically to Rastrelli richer decorated this room, because the main purpose of this room was the reception of the eminent representatives of the merchants, who, according to Elizabeth, loved all the gold.

New modifications and changes of the interiors of the Grand Palace is in the second half of the 18th century in the then fashionable classical style. Famous architects W..B. Vallin de La Mothe and Y. M. Felten in 1760-1770 he engaged in design of interiors Chesma, Throne halls, Chinese classrooms.

As a result of two centuries of construction turned out to be a delightful Palace, next to the modest residence of Peter the great's times to Shine with the splendor and magnificence of the halls of the mid 18th century in the Baroque style. Next to them, keep calm and solemn austerity apartment in the classical style. They are replaced by chambers the mid-19th century, which revived the artistic principles of the Rococo style.

The Grand Palace in Peterhof was the center official summer life of Russia: it was decided many important national issues, was held receptions distinguished guests, festivals, masquerades and balls.

Today the Grand Palace is a unique historical and art Museum with a collection numbering about three and a half thousand exhibits, including paintings, furniture, fabrics, lamps, dishes that meet the tastes of the Royal Palace hosts.