Not far from the famous fountains and the Grand Palace of Peterhof lies a wonderful place for summer relaxation — Alexandria Park. Within its grounds, there are several unusual structures, including the imperial palace church known as the Gothic Chapel, the Farmer’s Palace, and the Cottage Palace, which we will discuss today.
Built in a Neo-Gothic style, the Cottage visually differs greatly from the familiar majestic and austere palaces of Saint Petersburg and its surroundings. This is because the Cottage was intended as a "country house."
How to Get There
You can reach Alexandria on the same minibus that goes to the Peterhof Palace and Park Ensemble. Buses depart from Avtovo metro station, and the journey takes about 30 minutes. You can pay for the ride with the "Podorozhnik" transport card.
The entrance fee to the palace is 800 rubles (autumn 2024). Note that the palace is open only during the summer period.
A Bit of History
The three-story Cottage was built between 1826 and 1829 by order of Nicholas I. The palace was intended for the emperor’s wife, Alexandra Feodorovna, after whom the Peterhof estate was named. The empress disliked grand ceremonial interiors and admitted that she was very happy in the Cottage. The palace is indeed rather modest in its decoration but is also very cozy.
The architect of the Cottage was Adam Menelaws, who had already constructed several pavilions and palaces in the vicinity of Saint Petersburg. In the 19th century, a dining room with a terrace was added to the building, this time designed by Andrei Stackenschneider, known for his work on the Nikolaevsky Palace in Saint Petersburg and the estate in the village of Gostiitsy.
An interesting fact: in modern times, the palace served as a backdrop for the Russian film "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson," with Vasily Livanov playing the famous detective.
One great advantage of visiting the Cottage is that the tour of the interiors is already included in the ticket price. The tour covers the first and second floors, along with the Sea Cabinet on the third floor.
After the tour, you can walk through the rooms again or stroll around Alexandria Park, enjoying its landmarks and views of the Gulf of Finland. The tour itself lasts about an hour.
In summary:
- A non-ceremonial but very beautiful palace;
- A chance to visit several attractions in one day;
- The tour is included in the ticket price.
