The Grand Cascade at the Peterhof palace complex, St.Petersburg, Russia, is the most grandiose fountain construction of the Peterhof ensemble and one of the most outstanding creations in the world. It was commissioned by Peter the Great on the modell of Chateau de Marly of Louis XIV of France. The grand formal inauguration of the fountains took place, in August 1723.
The amazing thing and 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. The elevation difference creates the pressure that drives most of the fountains of the Lower Gardens, including the Grand Cascade.