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Peter the Great began construction of Peterhof in 1714. It was to be his Summer Palace. He constantly added to it until he died in 1725. His successors also added to the palace and its grounds to make it one of Europe's grandest royal residences. During the Siege of Saint Petersburg in WWII, the German Army occupied Peterhof and, on their retreat in 1944, the art collection was looted and the buildings were largely destroyed. When returned to Russian control, reconstruction began and continues today. For a period of time after 1944 the name was changed to Petrodvorete (Peter's Palace), but was changed back to Peterhof in 1997. UNESCO includes it in the Saint Petersburg World Heritage Site.
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