Address: Peterhof, Upper Park
Build date: 1738 year
Coordinates: 59 ° 52'53.7 "N 29 ° 54'25.8" E
Content:
Not far from the gates of the Upper Garden, in a round pool, you can see the Mezheumny or Uncertain fountain. The picturesque water cannon received such an unusual name for the frequent change of design. Today it is decorated with bronze sculptures of a sea dragon and four frolicking dolphins.
General view of the fountain
The history of the fountain
Like many fountains in Peterhof that appeared in the 30s of the 18th century, Mezheumny was cast according to the sketches of the French sculptor and caster Bartolomeo Carlo Rastrelli. The water cannon was installed in a circular pool with a diameter of 30 m, which was designed by the famous landscape architect and experienced master hydraulic engineer P.-Zh. Sualem.
Initially, the fountain was decorated with the sculptural group "Andromeda", symbolizing the victory of Russia in the Northern War. It was made in 1738 according to the project developed by the architect Ivan Yakovlevich Blank. In the center of the composition was the equestrian statue of Perseus, who held the head of Medusa the Gorgon in his hand. The figures made of lead were covered with a layer of gold, so they shone even on a cloudy day. The hydraulic engineering device and pipes for the fountain, as well as the limestone laying of the pool, were completed by 1739, and Mezheumny became the very last of the water cannons built in the Upper Garden.
View of the fountain against the background of the Grand Palace
An accident occurred while assembling a bulky sculptural group. During installation on the foundation, it cracked and split into pieces, so the workers were forced to urgently solder the broken off lead parts. As it turned out, the problem was only partially solved. After 10 years, the statue began to tilt, and strong supports were installed under it.
By the 1770s, the fountain fell into complete disrepair, and it was replaced with a new one, designed by the architect I. Ye. Yakovlev. The figure of a sea dragon appeared in the center of the composition, and four statues of dolphins appeared on the sides. Strong foamy jets of water burst from the mouths of the animals.
In the 19th century, the decor of the fountain was changed twice. At first, the pond was decorated with a sculpture that looked like a snake, and then the figure of a "sterlet" was placed here. The last mention of the "sterlet" refers to the inventory of the fountains of Peterhof, compiled in 1877.
Dolphin figures
In the 1920s, a cast-iron vase taken from the Oak Fountain was placed in the center of a round reservoir and overlaid with pieces of tuff. Due to the special nozzle, the water jets came out of the water cannon now high and now low, and the visitors of the parade park really liked this.
From 1941 to 1944, the imperial residence near St. Petersburg was occupied by German troops. Park palaces, sculptures and fountains have been badly damaged by barbaric treatment and shelling. The Nazis destroyed most of the buildings to the ground, took bronze statues to Germany and dug a deep anti-tank ditch through the garden.
In the post-war years, Peterhof fountains began to be restored, and Mezheumny decided to restore it in its original decor. The fountain was made anew from images preserved in an 18th century album. Under the leadership of the Soviet sculptor-restorer A.F. Gurzhey, statues for him were cast from bronze. The bottom of the pool was lined with Pudot stone, and its framing was made of light Estonian dolomite. Jets of water poured through Mezheumny in 1958.
Dolphin figures
What a fountain looks like today
The picturesque fountain is the first to meet the visitors of the Upper Garden and therefore is considered one of the visiting cards of Peterhof. It has become a real decoration of the central axis of the ceremonial park and attracts many tourists.
The central place in the pool is occupied by the gilded figure of a winged dragon with a powerful tail curved upward. From the mouth of the fantastic monster, a strong vertical stream beats. At some distance from the dragon, the figures of four dolphins are installed. They also have a fantastic appearance and bear little resemblance to real sea animals. An oblique stream of water escapes from the mouth of each dolphin.
Dragon figure in the center of the fountain
The Mezheumny Fountain is located on the territory of the Upper Garden, not far from the entrance from St. Petersburg Avenue. This part of the palace and park ensemble of Peterhof is open to tourists from 9.00 to 21.30, and is allowed here free of charge. The water in the fountain is switched on from 11.00 to 18.00.
