The Chessboard Mountain Cascade is one of the cascading fountains in the Lower Park of the Peterhof Palace and Park Ensemble in Peterhof (Saint Petersburg).
This fountain is part of the ensemble of the largest square in the eastern part of the Lower Park.
During the history of the fountain, there were other names: "Ruin Cascade", "Dragon Mountain" and "Small Grotto".
The fountain's peak is the grotto.
The cascade was conceived by Peter I as a "Ruin" fountain, since architecturally it was supposed to represent a ruined fortress tower-a symbol of the capture of Swedish fortresses by Russian troops.
Architects I. Braunstein, M. Zemtsov, T. Usov, I. Blank and I. Davydov took part in the design and construction of the fountain.
In the 30s of the 18th century, the appearance of the fountain changed, and the cascade began to resemble the dwelling of dragons guarding the entrance to the upper grotto of the fountain. The dragons at the top of the fountain were modeled after K. Osnera.
During the Great Patriotic War, the cascade was destroyed and restored in 1953 according to drawings from the late 18th century.
The cascade fountain "Chess Mountain" is located on a natural slope that stretches along the entire territory of the Lower Park.
Along the slope run the drain steps of the fountain, originally painted in the middle of the 18th century with black and white squares in a checkerboard pattern. Hence the fountain was called "Chess Mountain".
The upper part of the fountain is made in the form of a grotto (fountain peak), the entrance to which is guarded by three painted sculptures of winged dragons. From the mouths of the dragons, jets of water flow, which slide along the four waterfall slopes, and an openwork curtain covers the entrance to the lower grotto-they flow into the fountain pool.
On both sides of the stepped slopes of the cascade are stairs, on the sides of which on high stone pedestals are marble figures of the ten ancient gods. The sculptures were created in Peter's time by Italian masters and in 1941, at the very beginning of the war, they were removed from their pedestals and buried in the ground. During the reconstruction of the fountain, after the war, the statues were removed from their hiding places and returned to their places.
Video of the "Chessboard" cascade»
The cascade "Chess Mountain" is the semantic center of the largest and most beautiful square in the eastern part of the Lower Park.
In addition to the cascade, the square is also decorated with flower beds and Roman fountains, which are an ensemble of two fountains that have the same design and decoration. Learn more about Roman fountains with photos and videos…
Practical information
The Chessboard Fountain is located in the eastern part of the Lower Park of the Peterhof Palace and Park Ensemble.
The fountains of Peterhof are closed for the winter (do not work) - from about the middle of October.
In winter, when the fountains are not working, the entrance to the Lower Park is free (free of charge).
During the summer, the fountains are open and the entrance to the park is paid.
Tickets to the park can be purchased at the ticket offices located directly near the entrances to the park or in advance-online on the official website.
We recommend that you check the working hours of the park and fountains, as well as the conditions of visiting and the cost of tickets, immediately before visiting the official website.
Website of the State Museum-Reserve "Peterhof": peterhofmuseum.
You can also visit the State Museum-Reserve "Peterhof" with one of the excursions
All the ways to get to Peterhof from St. Petersburg (the airport and the city center) can be found here →
Near the Palace and Park Ensemble "Peterhof" you can stop
The 4-star Novy Peterhof Hotel features a restaurant, a bar, parking, a tour desk, a spa area with an indoor pool, a gym, a steam bath, a Finnish cedar sauna and an aroma sauna.
The rooms are decorated in a modern style and feature a TV with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, a safe, bathrobes and slippers, a hairdryer and free toiletries. Some rooms have a seating area.
The room rate can include: breakfast, breakfast + dinner or breakfast + lunch + dinner. Link to the hotel
EGO-LOFT Apartment (Holgin Pond) they offer views of the lake and the city.
The apartmentfeatures air conditioning, a balcony, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, a bedroom, a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, and a bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries. Link to the apartment
Apartments Severnaya Venezia featuring a balcony with lake views, offers free Wi-Fi, a children's playground, a garden and a shared lounge.
The apartmentfeatures a bedroom, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, an equipped kitchen with a microwave and a refrigerator, a washing machine, and a bathroom with a shower. Link to the apartment
All accommodation facilities in St. Petersburg, including in the city center and in Peterhof, can be viewed and booked here
