Roman Fountain, Peterhof, Russia Poster

"Roman Fountain at Peterhof, Russia" by Catherine Sherman. This is one of two Roman fountains located on the square in front of the Chess Mountain Cascade on the grounds of Peterhof Palace near St. Petersburg, Russia. Outwardly they are quite similar and have a two-tier pyramid shape. On the massive granite pedestal stands a round marble bowl and above it the same bowl and pedestal are replicated, only in smaller scale. Five water jets gush from the top vase and in a frothy mass flow down to the lower circle and then into the pool. The designers of the fountains were inspired by the stone fountains in front of the Cathedral of St. Peter's in Rome. All of the more than 170 fountains on the Peterhof grounds operate without the use of pumps. Water is supplied from natural springs and collects in reservoirs in the Upper Gardens. The elevation difference creates the pressure that drives most of the fountains of the Lower Gardens, including the Grand Cascade. The Samson Fountain is supplied by a special aqueduct, over four kilometers in length, drawing water and pressure from a high-elevation source. The Peterhof Palace (Dutch for Peter's Court) is a series of palaces and gardens located in Petergof, Saint Petersburg, Russia, laid out on the orders of Peter the Great. These palaces and gardens are sometimes referred as the "Russian Versailles". The palace-ensemble along with the city center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The occupying forces of the German Army largely destroyed Peterhof during World War II. Many of the fountains were destroyed, and the palace was partially exploded and left to burn. Restoration work began almost immediately after the end of the war and continues to this day. The Lower Park was reopened to the public in 1945.