The Remarkable Wall Fountains
Of The Pieterhoff

A remarkable component of the Pieterhoff is the Grand Palace which sits on the edge of a 17-square yard terrace. It overseas the Gulf on one side, and the Grand Cascade, which is noteworthy for its gilded statues and silvery water spouts, on the other. Water can be seen cascading down two groups of huge rock steps which flank the jet of the Samson wall fountain that is situated in the middle of the Grand Cascade.

The basin of water at the foot of the Grand Cascade is then forced into the Sea Canal which is one of Pieterhoff’s earliest water features. It balances the natural landscaping as well as provides character reminiscent of classical European style. The Sea Canal is bordered by gold mascarons and natural stone. It's made up of 12 fountain basins and features powerful jets, spraying water across the square-shaped canal.

The canal divides the park-like lower land of the Pieterhoff into the far eastern and westerly portions. The easterly section contains the Roman wall fountains, the Stars, the Pyramid, the Chestboard Hill Waterfall and the Wall Fountains of the Palace of Montlaisir. The western section contains the bell fountains, the Economy Fountain, the Golden Hill Waterfall, Markly Palace and the wall fountains of the Heritage Pavilion.

It was Pieter the Great who chose the location for Pieterhoff. Its geography is distinguisheded by a number of purely natural water reservoirs which are supplied by belowground springs. These important water supply points which had been uncovered and used by Pieter, and are still being utilized today.

Remarkably, the Pieterhoff currently houses 140 wall fountains and 4 cascades. Each year, it draws countless visitors who are curious to visit and see the “Capitol of Fountains” and the magnificent water wall features which continue to be unmatched in the modern world.