Fountains of Peterhof: their history, description of Roman fountains, crackers and more. Peterhof, Lower Park: cracker fountains

There are many sights in Peterhof that you want to look at, against which you want to be photographed, but there are places where you can not only look at the beauty, but also have plenty of fun, remember your childhood. These places are cracker fountains. This is where you can get positive emotions, though only if a person has a sense of humor, since not everyone wants to be in an awkward position and not everyone will be able to appreciate such a joke.

Fountains-crackers, which are in Peterhof, are probably the only fountains of this kind that have survived to our times, although earlier such fountains were at every noble court. As we can draw conclusions, Peter I not only liked to surprise guests with the beauty of statues and castles, but also liked to play a trick on his guests. And he joked as follows: in his residence, he ordered the creation of not only ordinary fountains from which water would constantly flow, but also those from which a stream of water appeared suddenly, when a person does not expect this at all. Which is what was done. On the territory of the Lower Park, in its eastern part, cracker fountains were built, under which guests who found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time got wet. Well, Peter I loved this kind of entertainment. Be that as it may, but at that time it was entertainment and many people liked it.

Today, cracker fountains attract the attention of park visitors, especially children. Moreover, during the heat, cracker fountains play the role of a life-saving straw, because they provide an opportunity to cool off. The good news is that there are warning signs near the fountains, so every person who finds himself in Peterhof for the first time knows what awaits him and will no longer be in an awkward position, because he decides for himself whether he wants to get wet or not. In any case, children do not refuse this entertainment and run with pleasure under streams of water, so it is advisable for parents to remember that when going to Peterhof, you need to have a towel with you.

Today in Peterhof there are the following cracker fountains:

1. Fountain "Dubok", but this is not just one fountain, it consists of a whole complex of fountains. The complex includes metal roses, the oak tree itself, as well as two benches. And they all carry "danger". The danger is that you can get wet in a matter of minutes. It is enough just to sit on these benches or come up to admire the roses and the tree, water will immediately pour on you, because in the oak trunk, in the stems of roses, as well as in their leaves, and behind the benches there are tubes through which water flows. Initially, the "Oak" was built in the Upper Garden in 1735 and was the decoration of one of the round pools, but in 1746 this fountain was dismantled and lay in the pantry for a long time. For some reason, they forgot about this fountain, and only in 1802 the master Strelnikov assembled the fountain and made those details that were lost. The fountain was installed, but not in the Upper Garden, but in the Lower Park, including the "Oak" in the group of entertaining fountains.

2. Fountain "Mushroom", earlier it was a fountain called "Umbrella" and it was built in 1796 by architect Brower. It was a massive stand, near which a bench was installed. A large umbrella flaunted on a stand at the top. Around the perimeter of the umbrella, along its edges, there were tubes that were directed down to the ground, and which were well hidden. When a person wanted to rest on a bench, he went under this umbrella and then, immediately, the water turned on. A person was in captivity, it was simply impossible to get out of this captivity dry. In the future, the fountain changed several times, the number of pipes changed, and the upper part of the structure was also changed. and it was no longer an umbrella. The top looked like a mushroom, so the fountain got the second name "Fungus". During the war, the fountain was destroyed and only in 1949 it was restored and put into operation.

3. Fountain-cracker at Monplaisir, which is represented by two benches and a platform lined with cobblestones. It seems like two benches, which do not portend anything, are standing, they don’t scare anyone, but as soon as someone sits on them to rest, water starts pouring from behind the bench, right on their heads. It would be possible to run away, but it was not there, because the entire paved path of cobblestones is also doused with water.

4. The waterway, built in 1721, is where you can get completely wet and give the impression that you have just taken a dip. Tubes are installed on both sides of the alley, and when the fountain is turned on (and it is turned on at a certain time), a person finds himself in a water labyrinth from which you can only get out soaking wet. Fountain-cracker "Water Road" during the war years was destroyed, like many other fountains in Petrograd. This fountain was restored in 2001.

Fountain fountains were an integral part of all the main residences of the regular style. They were distinguished by their unusual design and the unexpected appearance of jets of water splashing visitors. In the eastern part of the Lower Park there are several such trick fountains.

Fountain-cracker "Water Road" is located at the exit from the square from the Roman fountains to the Monplaisir alley. It was created according to the plan of Peter I in 1721, but restored only by 2001. All 300 jets of the cracker fountain turn on over the alley daily at 13.00, and

Fir-trees Fountain-cracker "Fir-trees" is a few small metal trees that appeared in the park in 1784. Thin streams of water are splashing from the knots of "Fir-trees", which makes it impossible to approach the trees.

Dubok Fountain-cracker "Oak tree" - a composition consisting of several "water fun". Under the canopy of a six-meter metal tree, five "tulips" - fountains "grow". For those wishing to admire the "Oak", shrouded in hundreds of streams beating from each branch, two benches are prepared, but as soon as you sit down on them, a waterfall of jets instantly rises from behind the backs, covering those sitting. "Oak" with gilded leaves was made in 1735 according to the project of B.K. Rastrelli for the fountain "Oak" in the Upper Garden. But in 1802 it was installed in the Lower Park, taking the form of a "natural tree" with green foliage.

Umbrella Fountain-cracker "Umbrella" - is a massive trunk that supports a wide roof. Under the "Umbrella" there are benches, but as soon as you sit down on them, the visitor is cut off from the surrounding tent from 164 jets of water gushing from the edges of the "Umbrella".

The benches of the Cracker "The benches" are located in the corners of the Monplaisir garden. One has only to step on the paving stones in front of the bench, as jets of water rise right from the ground, dousing unlucky visitors from head to toe.

The first fountain on our way appeared, for some reason officially called the "Chinese Umbrella" (installed in the park in 1796). Why the real "Mushroom" was called "Umbrella", history is silent. But the idea is good - to sit under an umbrella under your own rain)).

The next cracker was noticed from afar - by loud laughter and a large crowd. As they write in the guidebook: "The Oak Fountain with five tulips near it and two benches. A guest walking in the park at the height of summer, wanting to look at a tulip blooming so late, leaned over, and immediately a stream of water washed over him. In confusion, the person retreated under a tree , but the "Oak", made of hollow tubes, instantly came to life. The stunned visitor rushed to the saving benches, but jets also rose from them and covered the fugitive. Similar scenes can be observed today. In 1735, the "Oak" was installed in one of the pools Upper Garden, and then in 1802 moved to the Lower Park.

Apparently, in the time of the kings, the parks were not so crowded, and there was a point in crackers. Well, that is, they could really scare someone and splash them unexpectedly. Now this is completely impossible. However, they remained a fun attraction for children and adults.

By the way, I heard a lot of versions about how cracker fountains work, but you don’t completely believe in any of them. A man sitting in the bushes, who manually blows jets - somehow trite. But how and where could automation be installed 200-250 years ago? I don't understand)).

However, the fully automatic version is also lame - sometimes the fountains start working even if there is no one around.

Or they start beating at the moment when the people relax and do not expect a dirty trick.
So our, barely dried up child, fell under the jet))

Near the "Dubk" there are three "Christmas Trees". They were created in 1784. In the year of our “joke raid”, the playground with the “Yolki” was fenced off, so it was not possible to wet the child. We stood nearby, admired the sparkling streams and listened to the sound of drops. In hot weather - like a balm for the soul.

At the entrance, they were in such a hurry to get inside that they forgot to buy a guidebook or at least a map of the park. Therefore, they walked along the alleys, hoping for a Russian chance. And he never failed. The largest joke fountain is easily recognizable by the crowd of people armed with umbrellas, despite the beautiful sunny weather. Everyone is standing and waiting for something.

But IT always starts unexpectedly. The unfamiliar smiling girl in the foreground just wanted me to take a picture of her. The photo turned out much more interesting than we planned)).

The fountain works several times a day, at certain specific hours. If you happen to be around at this time, it's worth the wait. Even if you don’t climb under the jets yourself, it’s also great to look from the side.

Fountain-crackers "Dubok" and "Umbrella" are hidden in the curtains, which are adjacent to the intersection of Monplaisirskaya and Marlinskaya alleys, to the south of the monument to Peter.

Despite the fact that the Lower Park is distinguished by the symmetry of the arrangement of fountain structures, there are more fountains in its eastern part than in the western. This is due to the fact that in the 18th century. it was here that the festivities of the royal guests took place, and there was also a bathhouse and “playing places”.

Fountains-crackers are the most interesting sights of the Lower Park. Their history comes from the water amusements of Peter I: the “Sofas” of the Monplaisir Garden, the “Bridge with a water course” of the Ruin Cascade, the “Sprinkling Table” of the Grand Cascade grotto and other “game” places.

Water sports were widespread in the 18th century. V Western Europe in the parks of the feudal nobility and were distinguished by a wide variety. The Hermitage has a tapestry made in Brussels in the workshop of Jacob van der Borcht, which depicts one of the scenes at the cracker fountain. Such structures in Peterhof appeared as a tribute to the European fashion of that time. The amusing effect of such fountains lies in the unexpected appearance of water jets that spray visitors from all sides.

Fountain "Umbrella" was built in 1796 according to the project of arch. F. Brower. A bench is made around the massive base, and above it there is a wide umbrella, which is crowned with an elegant carved cone resembling a pineapple in shape. The edges of the umbrella are decorated with bright scallops painted in different colors. The scallops cover 164 tubes, the holes of which are directed towards the ground. A visitor to the park comes under an umbrella and sits on a bench, at which time the fountain suddenly turns on. Streams of water burst out of the tubes with noise, and the person is locked in a water cell.

Throughout the 19th century "Umbrella" was remade more than once, which led to a distortion of its original appearance. Its upper part became similar to a mushroom cap (hence the second name of the fountain - "Mushroom"). In addition, the number of "force" tubes has been changed. In 1826 there were 134 pipes, and in 1868 already 80 pipes formed a sudden curtain of water around the bench.

During the war, the fountain, like all other buildings of the park, was destroyed. From the fountain, only fragments of a wooden rim, part of a warped roof and several damaged pipes remained. The fountain was restored according to the drawings of the 18th century. and put into operation on September 11, 1949. In 1954, master carver G. Simonov made oak scallops and a cone crowning the fountain.

Opposite the intricate "Umbrella", on the other side of the Monplaisir Alley, on a small round area, there is a whole complex of cracker fountains: two cracker benches, a tree "with the title of oak" and five metal tulips. This fountain complex called "Oak". A six-meter-high tubular tree trunk is trimmed on the outside with lead to look like oak bark. Oak leaves made of red copper are attached to the tubular branches. Five tulips are placed under a stylized oak tree. The branches, trunk, leaves of the tree, as well as the stems of tulips are green. When the fountain is turned on, streams of water shoot out from tree branches, leaves and flowers of tulips.

From the east and west of the Oak fountain, there are park wooden sofas. Behind their backs, tubes are hidden in the ground, directed upwards with holes. Everyone who wants to sit on a bench or look at the wonderful fountains from all sides is suddenly attacked by a thick curtain of jets that fly out from behind the sofa back.

The Oak fountain was erected in 1735 according to the model of the sculptor K. Rastrelli and was made of lead. It decorated one of the pools in the Upper Garden. In 1746, the fountain was dismantled by the fountain master P. Brunatiy, and the Oak tree lay in the pantry for a long time. The cracker fountain was remembered only at the beginning of the 19th century, and in 1802 the "Oak" was assembled by the craftsman F. Strelnikov. He also made the missing parts, two benches and five tulips. The fountain was installed in the Lower Park and included in the group of playful fountains. The number of tube branches on an oak tree was constantly changing: in 1826 there were 349, in 1828 - 244.

As a rule, the fountain was always turned off. They turned it on only when a person approached him, and then countless trickles of water fell from the branches of the oak. Involuntarily jumping aside, the unlucky visitor immediately fell under the influence of sofa jets. In 1914, the Oak fountain was again dismantled and placed in a storeroom. In 1924, the architect V. Voloshinov installed the fountain in its original place.

→Fun Fountains

Fountains-crackers

Fountain fountains were an integral part of all the main residences of the regular style. They were distinguished by their unusual design and the unexpected appearance of jets of water splashing visitors. In the eastern part of the Lower Park there are several such trick fountains.

water road"located at the exit from the square from the Roman fountains to the Monplaisir alley. It was created according to the plan of Peter I in 1721, but was restored only by 2001. All 300 jets of the cracker fountain turn on over the alley daily at 13.00, 14.00 and 15.00.

Christmas trees"represents several small metal trees that appeared in the park in 1784. Thin streams of water splash from the knots of the "Christmas Trees", which makes it impossible to approach the trees.

Oak"- a composition consisting of several "water fun". Under the canopy of a six-meter metal tree, five "tulips" - fountains "grow". sit down on them, as from behind the backs a waterfall of jets instantly rises, covering those sitting. "Oak" with gilded leaves was made in 1735 according to the project of B. K. Rastrelli for the fountain "Oak" in the Upper hell. But in 1802 it was installed in the Lower Park, taking on the appearance of a "natural tree" with green foliage.

Umbrella"- is a massive trunk supporting a wide roof. There are benches under the Umbrella, but as soon as you sit down on them, the visitor is cut off from the surrounding tent from 164 jets of water gushing from the edges of the Umbrella.

crackers" benches"are located at the corners of the Monplaisir garden. One has only to step onpaving stones in front of the bench, as jets of water rise straight from the ground, dousing unlucky visitors from head to toe.

Peterhof trick fountains are the only active examples of "water fun", which were quite a few in the 17-18 centuries in the regular parks of nobles.