Peter the Great founded the world famous residence of the Russian Tsars, the town of parks, palaces and fountains in the beginning of the 18th century. In 1714-1725, the Lower Park and the Upper Gardens were designed, the Upper Chambers, the Marly and Monplaisir Palaces, the Hermitage Pavilion, the Cascades, and the Lower Park fountains were constructed (architects J. -B. Le Blonde, I. Braunstein, N. Michetti). In the second half of the 18th century, the fountains of the Upper Park were created, the Dragon (Chessboard) Hill Cascade was altered, and the Great Palace was expanded and renovated. Fountain Lane was added to the Lower Park ensemble by architects J. B. Vallin de la Mothe, G. Quarenghi, B. Rastrelli, and M. G. Zemtsov during this time. In the middle of the 19th century there appeared new landscape parks, new palaces, pavilions, and fountains (architects N. L. Benua, I. I. Charlemaign, A. Menelas).
The famous Peterhof fountains work only during the summer. In winter seven museums are open in the parks: the Great Peterhof Palace, Catherine Wing, Marly Palace, the Hermitage Pavilion, Benua Museum, the Cottage and the Bath Wing.
