The Dragon Cascade Fountain

Cascade of Dragons, or as it is also called, "Chess Mountain" - the largest fountain structure of the Lower Park of St. Petersburg. Its height is more than 21 meters, and the cascade is arranged on the slope of the terrace. Four black and white inclined drain steps are located on a block of tuff – the material from which most of the fountain structures of Peterhof were built.

The artificially created mountain was crowned with a grotto, near which three bright red figures of winged dragons were installed. Water, breaking out of the mouths of dragons, flows down the “chess” plates and enters the pool, almost covering the grotto located below.

Initially, according to Peter I, this cascade was supposed to resemble the Little Cascade, located in the residence of the French kings. Previously, in its place was the Small Grotto, built in 1716-1718. Construction of the cascade began in 1721, but work was delayed due to a lack of material and water. So during the life of Peter I, the cascade was not completed. The new decoration in 1737-1739 was brought to life by architect M. Zemtsov and sculptor K. Osner.

During the Great Patriotic War, the cascade suffered greatly, its restoration began in 1945 and was completed in 1953. That's what he looks like to this day.