Architecture
The Winter Palace St Petersburg is arguably one of the most splendid architectural marvels in the whole country, and houses the State Hermitage Museum as well. Whilst the building has undergone numerous renovations and changes, the current building of the palace was built between 1754 and 1762 using designs of the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. It is also the fifth building of the Winter Palace, in addition to being the most magnificent of all.
The palace has a closed quadrangular design, in addition to an extensive yard, complete with numerous intricate details and statues that decorate it. There are 3 arches on the palace’s southern façade, which lead to the main entrance. A Military Gallery was created in the Winter Palace in 1820, dedicated to the War of 1812, while numerous halls were rebuilt by Rastrelli during the 1830s.
As of today, the Winter Palace is home to the famous State Hermitage Museum, which houses millions of age-old displays and artefacts to offer visitors a glimpse into the rich Russian art, history and heritage.
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The Jordan Staircase of the Winter Palace is one of the most historically significant sites in the entire city. It is down these very stairs where the Czar of Russia once walked during a ceremony where the baptism of Christ was commemorated. The Jordan Staircase dates all the way back to the 18th century, and was built by Russian architect Vasily Petrovich Stasov.
The White Hall of the Winter Palace was designed by architect Alexander Briullov. It was constructed to commemorate the marriage of the Tsarevich to Maria of Hesse in the year 1841, which is also when a large part of the palace was being rebuilt due to a fire. The hall was built in a classical style, with a vaulted ceiling that was supported by Corinthian columns. The White Hall is currently a part of the Hermitage Museum and retains all of its original décor.
The Gothic Library of Nicholas II, located inside the Winter Palace St Petersburg, is ranked as one of the most beautiful and magnificent interiors which have survived the trials of time. It is also the only place inside the emperor’s private apartments within the palace which has retained its historical appearance, without having undergone any change.
Often referred to as the Great Throne Room, St George’s Hall is one of the largest state rooms in the entire Winter Palace. It is located on the eastern wings of the palace, and connects to the Hermitage Museum via the Apollo Room. The room has been designed in a neoclassical style, and dates back to between 1787 and 1795. The room was destroyed during the fire of 1837, after which it was redesigned in a more classical style, with white Carrara marble columns and gilded ceilings. The Apollo Room is located behind the throne in St George’s Hall, and is actually an upper floor of a bridge which links the palace to the Hermitage Museum.
The Neva Enfilade is a sequence of three huge halls arranged in a row along the façade of the Winter Palace, which faces the Neva River. This part of the palace was originally designed as a series of five state rooms in 1753, and were then transformed into an enfilade in 1790. They were also rebuilt after the fire of 1837, and were transformed into a military hospital in 1915. As of today, the Neva Enfilade is used as a series of exhibition halls for the Hermitage Museum.
The Grand Church of the Winter Palace is often referred to as the Winter Palace Cathedral. It was built in 1763, and is located on the eastern side of the palace. It is also the larger and more important church out of the two churches located within the Winter Palace. The Grand Church was designed by Rastrelli and is said to be one of the most beautiful rooms in the palace.
History of Winter Palace
The Imperial Court at the Winter Palace was re-established by empress Anna when came to power in the 1730s. In addition, the city also replaced Moscow as the capital city of Russia in 1732, and remained so until 1918. The first Winter Palace, which was constructed in 1708 was replaced by a stone palace under the reign of Anna, who commissioned Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli to design a bigger palace, which was finished in 1735.
When Anna was succeeded by Czar Ivan VI in 1740, he was soon deposed in a coup by Grand Duchess Elizabeth, who was the daughter of Peter the Great. She soon became the new empress, and requested Rastrelli to make renovations that would make the palace a masterpiece of Russian Baroque architecture. The work for this began in 1754, with around 460 rooms being constructed. This became the fourth Winter Palace, which was thus completed in 1762. It was famous for its luxury and elegance, with three storeys and the quadrangular shape, complete with white columned facades, golden stucco mouldings as well as over 170 sculptures lining the roof of the palace.
Catherine II became empress in 1762, and soon after that, dismissed Rastrelli. After that, she ordered a majority of the baroque interiors of the Winter Palace to be replaced with neoclassical designs, along with a number of French elements. She also ordered the addition of a new wing to the palace and commissioned French architect Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe for the same. The interiors of the palace were destroyed by a fire in the year 1837, and four years after that, the entire restoration work for the Winter Palace was completed. In addition to retaining the Neoclassical look, a lot of new designs were also introduced to the palace’s structure, whilst the damaged exterior was once again rebuilt according to plans created by Rastrelli.
Between 1796 to 1855, the Winter Palace St Petersburg served as the home of many emperors, including Paul I, who was Catherine II’s son and successor. He soon moved await from the palace to Saint Michael’s Castle, where he was murdered 3 weeks after he took up residence in 1801. He was then succeeded by Alexander I, his son, who was the country’s ruler during the Napoleonic Wars. He then enhanced the palace and its structure after Napoleon was defeated in 1815, when he purchased the art collection of former empress of France, Josephine. This included many masterpieces, including Rembrandt’s “The Descent from the Cross.” Alexander I was succeeded by his brother Nicholas I in 1825, who included changes in the Winter Palace that visitors can see even now, including its present appearance and layout.
Plan to visit
Opening Hours
The Winter Palace remains open between 12:00 p.m. to 09:00 p.m. from Tuesdays to Sundays. It remains closed on Mondays, in addition to January 1st and May 9th.
Address
The Winter Palace is located at: 38 Palace Embankment, Dvortsovaya Municipal Okrug, Central District, Saint Petersburg, Russia 190000
By Metro
- You can reach the Winter Palace by metro. Several metro lines stop at the station near the palace. You can take the purple line or line 5 metro to Admiralteyskaya, blue line or line 2 metro to Nevsky Prospekt, as well as the green line or line 3 metro to Gostiny Dvor to get to Winter Palace.
By Bus- You can also avail a bus ride from the avtobus stops to get to the Winter Palace. These buses usually operate on bus lines 7, 10, 24 and 191.
Trolley Bus- Trolley buses, identified by the letter “T” can also take you to the Winter Palace. You can avail rides on trolley buses on lines number 1, 7, 10 and 11, which operate to the palace.
By Taxis and Gypsy Cabs- Taxis and gypsy cabs are also quite popular transportation methods to get to different places in St Petersburg. Therefore, you can avail a ride in one of the taxis or gypsy cabs and get down directly in front of the Winter Palace.
The best time to visit the Winter Palace is during the early morning hours when the palace opens doors to visitors for the day, at around 12:00 p.m., especially on the weekdays. It is during this time when there are lesser crowds here, making it quite easy and convenient to explore the palace. When it comes to when to visit the palace during the year, you can come here all through the year. If you wish to avoid huge crowds, you must visit the Winter Palace between May and early June, which is the low tourist season in St Petersburg. On the other hand, you can also visit the Winter Palace in the winter seasons, from November to January, when it remains decked in thick layers of snow, and looks its best.
FAQs
What is the Winter Palace known for?
The Winter Palace served as the residence of Peter the Great, and is also known for being the home of the famous Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. Additionally, it is also one of the most magnificent monuments of the city, built in the mid-18th century, and was the home of the Czars for almost 200 years.
How can I book the tickets for Winter Palace?
You can book the tickets for Winter Palace online. Not only is this the best way to get your tickets and secure your visit to the palace, but pre-booking tickets online will also help you save on time, energy and money during your visit.
Is the Winter Palace worth visiting?
Yes, the Winter Palace is surely worth visiting. In addition to housing the famous Hermitage Museum, the palace is also known for other magnificent features, from the opulent staterooms to the spectacular Jordan staircase.
Is the Winter Palace wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the Winter Palace in St Petersburg is wheelchair accessible. Therefore, visitors with disabilities will have no problems in visiting and exploring the palace.
Should I book the tickets for Winter Palace in advance?
Yes, it is advisable to book the tickets for Winter Palace in advance, since it is a very popular attraction in St Petersburg, which can result in the tickets being sold out quickly. Booking them in advance will secure your visit to the palace.
Why was the Winter Palace built?
While the Winter Palace served as the official residence of the Russian emperors between 1732 to 1917, it was built primarily to reflect and display the power of Imperial Russia. It is from this palace where the Czars ruled a major part of the world by the end of the 19th century.