The garden was originally designed to provide vegetables and herbs for the royal table before being repurposed for aesthetics.
The central Neptune Fountain was added to the park in the 18th century, featuring a bronze statue cast in Germany.
The current layout is largely based on the 1730s designs of architects Mikhail Zemtsov and Bartolomeo Rastrelli.
The garden's water supply relies on the same gravity-fed conduit system that powers the entire Peterhof fountain network.
The square parterres are bordered by trimmed lime trees, a staple of the European Baroque style adapted for the Russian climate.
Verkhniy Sad, or the Upper Garden, is a formal French-style landscape located directly south of the Grand Peterhof Palace. It spans 15 hectares and is characterized by a strictly symmetrical layout featuring five fountains and ornate parterres. Unlike the Lower Park, this area is designed for visual cohesion with the palace architecture. It was originally laid out by Peter the Great in the early 18th century to serve as a kitchen garden before being converted into a pleasure garden. The site underwent significant restoration following extensive damage during World War II. It remains a key component of the UNESCO World Heritage site comprising the Peterhof palace-ensemble. The garden maintains its historical design with boxwood hedges, ornamental flowerbeds, and intricate topiary work.
The entrance gate area provides an ideal symmetrical frame of the Grand Palace across the parterres.
Walk the central path for the clearest sightlines to the Grand Palace facade.
Use the perimeter paths to observe the historical topiary in detail.
The garden is best viewed from the palace balconies to fully appreciate its geometric symmetry.
Do not mistake the Upper Garden for the much larger Lower Park which requires a separate ticket.
The park fountains are seasonal and typically operate from late spring through mid-autumn; closed for winter maintenance.
Walking on flowerbeds or grass areas is strictly prohibited; keep to the designated gravel paths.
