Grand Cascade

fountain, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

The Grand Cascade is a spectacular fountain complex located at Peterhof, a palace and park ensemble in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is situated between the Great Palace and the Gulf of Finland.12

The Grand Cascade is renowned for its numerous fountains and cascading staircases, featuring a grotto and a large basin at its base. This basin holds a prominent statue of Samson wrestling with a lion, symbolizing Russia's military glory. The entire cascade and the fountains in the Lower Park represent a remarkable collection of water features designed for entertainment.21

Construction of the cascade began under Peter the Great and was expanded upon by subsequent rulers into the 19th century. Much of Peterhof, including the Grand Cascade, was destroyed during World War II and has since undergone extensive restoration.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

St. Petersburg
Peterhof of St. Petersburg
…commands a view of the Grand Cascade, a grandiose structure including a grotto, 64 fountains, and two cascading staircases, which lead to an enormous semicircular basin that contains a giant statue of Samson wrestling with a lion. This statue, symbolizing the military glory of Russia, is a copy of the…
Read More
…commands a view of the Grand Cascade, a grandiose structure including a grotto, 64 fountains, and two cascading staircases, which lead to an enormous semicircular basin that contains a giant statue of Samson wrestling with a lion. This statue, symbolizing the military glory of Russia, is a copy of the…
Read More