A live webcam shows the fountains of the Grand Cascade in Peterhof, St. Petersburg. The Grand Cascade is the main fountain structure of the palace and park ensemble of Peterhof, one of the largest fountain complexes in the world and a landmark of St. Petersburg. It is located in front of the facade of the Grand Peterhof Palace and consists of three cascading staircases, two grottoes, and 64 fountains adorned with 225 bronze sculptures.
The fountain was built from 1714 to 1724 by order of Peter the Great to commemorate the power of the Russian state and the victory of the Russian army in the Northern War. The Grand Cascade is connected to the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea by a 12 m wide canal. On the days of the fountain’s opening and closing at the end of May and mid-September, the Grand Cascade becomes a vibrant entertainment area with laser shows and theatrical performances.
Today, the fountains of the Grand Cascade are one of the outstanding structures in the world and a symbol of the Northern capital of Russia. Peterhof’s palace and park ensemble is located on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland, 30 km west of the center of St. Petersburg. You can reach Peterhof by water on a high-speed hydrofoil “Meteor,” by suburban train, minibus, or bus, by car via the KAD highway, or as part of a guided tour.