❞ City of Gold Saint #Peterhof: The Island of #Philosophers and #Poets in the Heart of the #Russian #Empire On the cold shores of the #Gulf of #Finland, where the blue waters meet the gray horizon, lies Saint Peterhof—a gem of the Russian Empire that was not merely a royal palace but a gathering place for philosophers and poets. Here, ideas intertwined, and minds flourished under the grandeur of history. Today, as I walk through its vast gardens, listening to the murmuring of its golden fountains, I feel as if I am strolling through a living museum of time. I can almost envision #Pushkin gazing at the horizon or #Dostoevsky wandering beneath the trees, perhaps lost in philosophical contemplation of human fate. This island, facing the Finnish shores, was not merely an imperial retreat but a meeting point for the intellectual elite, where literature, art, and politics were debated, and where ideas ignited like flames in the white nights of Russia. During the #Golden age of the empire, this place was teeming with intellectual life. #Tsar #Peter the #Great, the visionary behind this water paradise, intended it as a symbol of #European civilization at the heart of Russia. He brought in engineers and artists to transform swamps into one of the world’s most magnificent palaces. But it was not just a display of wealth—it was a sanctuary for brilliant minds, where writers and philosophers wandered through its decorated halls, contemplated beauty, and crafted ideas that changed the course of history. As I walk through its corridors today, I realize that history is not just a collection of written events—it is places that breathe with life, carrying the memories of those who passed through them. I feel like a part of this vast continuum, as if I can hear the echoes of words spoken here centuries ago, resonating between the ancient trees and floating over the tranquil waters of the gulf. Saint Peterhof is not just an island; it is a reflection of an imperial dream, a sanctuary of thought, and a witness to eras of creativity and contemplation. As a novelist, my visit to Peterhof was an extraordinary experience—where the grandeur of palaces blended with the enchantment of lush gardens, creating a mesmerizing scene brimming with beauty and inspiration, leaving an indelible mark on my soul and an everlasting memory filled with life. #Written by Jordanian novelist and President of the Arab Writers in Eastern Europe, Mahmoud Omar Mohammed Jumaa.. ❝ ⏤𝑴𝑨𝑯𝑴𝑶𝑼𝑫