The Favourite Fountain

On the territory of Peterhof there is a funny fountain, called “The Favourite”. It's a whole architectural ensemble. It is located behind the Voronikha colonnade.

The picture opens to visitors: ducks swim in the pool, and the dog Favorite catches up with them. The idea of this decoration arose in the 18th century. The fountain was built in 1725 by the efforts of the architect Zemtsov. Initially, the animal figures were wooden, and a year later they were replaced by copper. In a special chamber under the pool is a mechanism that allows the figures to move. The top of the fountain’s perfection was sound accompaniment: ducks quacked and a dog barked. Small fountains fly out of duck beaks and out of the mouth of the dog, imitating their tongues. But the acoustic effect is most striking to visitors. Since its foundation, the fountain was considered a complex hydraulic structure, so the fountain apprentices had to strictly monitor its serviceability.

During the Great Patriotic War the fountain was completely destroyed. Reconstruction took place only in 1957. The fountain is located so that it is hidden from the eyes of visitors. But you can see it if you want. To do this, it is enough to buy tickets to the Lower Park of Peterhof. And to the palace you can get by train, taxi, meteor.