Another JOURNEY to St. Petersburg, Russia

I've created two more spreads for Art Journal Journey.  My dear friend Erika, aka BioArtGal is this month's host and I want to show my support for her as the host.  So we are off on another Journey, this month's theme, to Russia.

Today we are visiting Petergof, a town inside the city of St. Petersburg, Russia.  It is located on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland.
First up is the beautiful Peterhof Palace, which is really a series of palaces and gardens. 

As a bit of history, according to Wikipedia:

Peter the Great first mentions the Petergof site in his journal in 1705, during the Great Northern War, as a good place to construct a landing for use in traveling to and from the island fortress of Kronshtadt. In 1714, Peter began construction of the Monplaisir Palace ("my pleasure") Palace based on his own sketches of the palace that he wanted close to the shoreline. This was Peter's Summer Palace that he would use on his way coming and going from Europe through the harbor at Kronshtadt.

Also, according to Wikipedia:

These palaces and gardens are sometimes referred as the "Russian Versailles". The palace-ensemble along with the city center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Further referencing Wikipedia:

Perhaps the most important change augmenting Peter's design was the elevation of the Grand Palace to central status and prominence. The Grand Palace was originally called simply 'Upper', and was hardly larger than any of the other structures of the complex. The addition of wings, undertaken between 1745 and 1755, was one of the many projects commissioned from the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli by Elizabeth of Russia. Likewise, the Grand Cascade was more sparsely decorated when initially built. The augmentation of Peterhof's original fountains and the addition of new ones continued well into the 19th century.

Perhaps the greatest technological achievement of Peterhof is that all of the fountains operate without the use of pumps. Water is supplied from natural springs and collects in reservoirs in the Upper Gardens. This is most evident in the Grand Cascade, shown above.

In case you can't read my writing, this reads "More views of the Grand Palace."

Thank you for joining me today while I continue my imaginary journey to Russia in my 7-Continents altered book.  Materials used include a used file folder I painted using a faux credit card and stencils, images from three different travel magazines, black Micron pen that doesn't write well on painted paper, and a Sharpie (for outlines),
 
As always, I am very grateful for your visit and your support of my art.  And let's not forget to visit Art Journal Journey where the journeys this month can be anything you desire, including an imagined one like mine.