Park art and architecture give a trip through Lomonosovsky District a range of cultural highlights. The Lower Park in Peterhof, with its fountains, offers a different side of the area from the historic Oranienbaum Park. Lomonosov is also home to the Grand Menshikov Palace, on the grounds of this ensemble; the Peter I Palace is in Strelna.
Fountains and historic park design
The Lower Park in Peterhof covers 102.5 hectares and is adorned with around 150 fountains. Its trick fountains include “Dubok,” “Zontik,” “Yolochki,” “Vodyanaya Doroga” and “Divanchiki.” The approximate number and the individual names give a concrete impression of the many different fountains that contribute to the park’s appearance. Visitors interested in designed landscapes will find a particular focus here, with the fountains themselves forming an essential part of the theme.
Oranienbaum Park is an important work of garden and landscape art, whose development spans the second half of the 18th century to the middle of the 19th century. Its sections were created in different phases in the development of the palace and park ensemble. The design principles also changed: until the 1770s, a formal composition was considered the most important artistic principle; later, it was replaced by a landscape composition. Alongside the individual buildings, this change makes park design a cultural topic in its own right.
Palaces in Lomonosov and Strelna
The Grand Menshikov Palace is in Lomonosov, on the grounds of Oranienbaum Park. It is therefore directly connected with the palace and park ensemble there. The Peter I Palace in Strelna offers a different focus: this rare, surviving monument of Russian architecture from the early 18th century is under state protection. Both sites add specific buildings to the history of the parks, with the Peter I Palace expressly classified as an architectural monument from this period.
More topics in the wider destination of Leningrad Oblast
The natural and cultural attractions of Leningrad Oblast may also be relevant when planning a trip. In the far east of the oblast lies Veps Forest Nature Park, with seven reserves and particularly strict protection rules. There are numerous lakes there; the largest is Lake Lerinskoye, in the reserve of the same name. Among the park’s special assets are old spruce and pine forests in the “Vepsky Les” and “Ashtchozyorsky” reserves. They are important for organisms that can survive only in forests undisturbed by economic activity. The Veps, a small people of Russia with their own culture and traditions, have traditionally lived in the nature park.
Another cultural attraction in Leningrad Oblast is Koporye Fortress, a museum and monument of ancient Russian stone architecture. It has survived in its present form since the 16th century, while parts of the masonry date from the 13th century. Climbing the walls and towers is prohibited because of their emergency condition. You can visit without a guide using the “Koporskaya Krepost 2.0” multimedia guide; confirm its availability when planning your visit. This makes it possible to consider local park and palace history alongside other topics in the wider destination as distinct areas of interest.
Choose accommodation to suit your interests
Start your search for a vacation rental by considering which of the park and palace topics mentioned above you want to shape your stay. The attractions reflect different interests, but do not prescribe a set itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Lotoshinsky District, Kingiseppsky District, Priozerskiy District, Tikhvinsky District, Lomonosovskiy District, Gatchinsky District, Slantsevskiy District, Kirishi District.
Back to the wider travel overview: Leningrad Oblast.
