{"id":667539,"date":"2022-03-02T10:27:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-02T07:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=667539"},"modified":"2022-01-31T17:49:03","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T14:49:03","slug":"winter-palace-in-st-petersburg-history-photo-description-ticket-prices-2021-how-to-get-there-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/winter-palace-in-st-petersburg-history-photo-description-ticket-prices-2021-how-to-get-there-map\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Palace in St. Petersburg – history, photo, description, ticket prices 2021, how to get there, map"},"content":{"rendered":"

The main residence of the Russian emperors for almost 200 years was the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg<\/a>. From the 20s. 20th century The building is used to house the museum exhibition. This is the most popular attraction in the city. The architectural ensemble of the Winter Palace forms a single spatial composition with other objects of the Palace Square and the embankment.<\/p>\n

Construction history<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

The idea of \u200b\u200bcreating a special building serving as a royal residence was born in the first years after the laying of the northern capital. The construction of the Winter Palace was carried out in several stages from 1711 to 1764. The modern look, in the style of Russia<\/a>n baroque, the palace acquired according to the project of B. Rastrelli. Until 1904, the imperial family lived in the premises in the winter, and palace services were housed.<\/p>\n

Nicholas II ordered the residence to be relocated to Tsarskoye Selo. During the 1st World War, the palace was converted to the needs of the hospital, which was under the patronage of Tsarevich Alexei. After the February coup in 1917, the complex became the main seat of the Provisional Government. The Soviet government transfer<\/a>red the Winter Palace to the Museum<\/a> of the Revolution, and later to the State Hermitage.<\/p>\n

Wedding chambers of Peter the Great<\/h3>\n

By order of Peter I, in the territory between Millionnaya Street and the Neva in 1708, a house of 2 floors was built from wood. With its tiled roof and high porch, the building was reminiscent of Dutch architecture. As a gift<\/a> for the marriage of the tsar with Ekaterina Alekseevna, Alexander Menshikov presented the so-called Wedding Chambers. They were built of stone in 1712 on the site of the former residence.<\/p>\n

Winter Palace<\/a> of Peter I<\/h3>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

For the construction of a new building, by order of Peter I<\/a>, the architect G. Mattarnovi undertook. The place was chosen in the bend of the Winter Canal and the Neva. The work continued for 4 years (1716-20). The palace was adapted for comfortable living of the royal family in the winter season, hence its name. Peter the Great died in the apartments<\/a> of the Winter Palace in 1725.<\/p>\n

Winter Palace of Anna Ioannovna<\/h3>\n

In the 30s. 18th century Rastrelli planned the reorganization of the residence, according to the wishes of the Empress Anna Ioannovna. The building site area has been increased. The new building had several facades at once, facing in different directions:<\/p>\n

The house<\/a> was completed in 1735. The new palace was distinguished by its scale. It contained:<\/p>\n

Close to the main building adjoined office space, stables and other outbuildings. Under Elizabeth Petrovna, the expansion of the Winter Palace continued. The architect insisted on choosing another site for construction. The Empress did not want to move to another place, so she decided to rebuild the building.<\/p>\n

Fourth (temporary) Winter Palace<\/h3>\n

In 1754-55. a temporary palace was built according to the project of Rastrelli. It was erected at the intersection of the Moika embankment and Nevsky Prospekt. The complex existed for 7 years, until 1762. In parallel, during this period, the main building of the modern Winter Palace was being built.<\/p>\n

Fifth (existing) Winter Palace<\/h3>\n

The construction of the current Winter Palace began under Elizabeth Petrovna and was completed after the accession of Catherine II. The following were involved in the creation of the architectural ensemble:<\/p>\n

The area of \u200b\u200b\u200b\u200ball the interior of the palace was 60 thousand square meters. m. In addition, it was the tallest building in St. Petersburg<\/a>. Catherine II ordered to equip part of the premises to accommodate a collection of paintings, including 317 paintings by European artists. For them, they allocated remote apartments, which began to be called the “Place of Solitude” (in French, the Hermitage). The apartments were decorated by D. Quarenghi and I. Starov.<\/p>\n

In the first half of the 19th century new halls were equipped:<\/p>\n

In addition, 2 galleries are decorated – Marble and Military.<\/p>\n

Fire<\/h3>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

A huge fire that raged for three days in December 1837 almost completely destroyed the interior of the palace. In addition, furniture, utensils, paintings were badly damaged.<\/p>\n

Work on the restoration of the building was entrusted to V.P. Stasov. Under his leadership, the building was strengthened, covered with a new roof, and the design<\/a> of the apartments was recreated. The reconstruction lasted 2 years.<\/p>\n

architectural features<\/h2>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

The palace consists of 4 buildings surrounding the Palace Square along the perimeter. The facades of the buildings face the Admiralty, towards the Neva embankment. The arch of the front passage leads to the inner platform.<\/p>\n

The surface of the walls of the buildings is decorated with a variety of architectural elements that give the building a magnificent and solemn look:<\/p>\n

The richness of the details emphasizes that the ensemble belongs to the Baroque style.<\/p>\n

Dimensions of the Winter Palace<\/h2>\n

The former imperial residence is distinguished by its monumentality and large scale. Wall length:<\/p>\n

The height of the 3-storey buildings is 23.4 m. there was a ban on the construction of city buildings in St. Petersburg, exceeding the Winter Palace.<\/p>\n

The complex includes:<\/p>\n

Historical events<\/h2>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

The New Winter Palace was consecrated and began to be used for its intended purpose from April 1762. The St. Petersburg residence of the emperors repeatedly became the venue for important historical events that took place in the life of the country:<\/p>\n

Halls<\/h2>\n

The main apartments were located on the 1st floor of the residence:<\/p>\n

The second floor consisted of a suite of small halls and private chambers of the imperial family.<\/p>\n

jordan gallery<\/h3>\n

The gallery served as a transition from the Grand Staircase to the Main Lobby. At first it was called the Main, and then renamed the Jordanian. The name is associated with the tradition to carry out a religious procession along it to the hole (“Jordan”) on the feast of the Epiphany.<\/p>\n

jordan stairs<\/h3>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

The wooden staircase in the northeastern part of the architectural complex was intended for the passage of foreign delegations and diplomatic missions. Therefore, she bore the name “Ambassador”. In the 19th century. they descended along it to swim in the icy Jordan on the Neva and christened the Jordanian.<\/p>\n

The staircase acquired its modern appearance after restoration work carried out in the middle of the 19th century:<\/p>\n

The ceiling above the stairs is painted in the form of a ceiling. The central position in it is occupied by the figures of ancient gods. The painting “Olympus” is by G. Diziani.<\/p>\n

Field Marshal's Hall<\/h3>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

The series of ceremonial apartments of the Winter Palace begins with the Field Marshal's Hall. It was created in the 30s. 18th century designed by O. Montferrand. To decorate the walls, portraits of prominent Russian commanders who held the rank of field marshal were used:<\/p>\n

The last niche was left empty. At the door to the Small Throne Room there are two huge canvases depicting victorious battles:<\/p>\n

The military theme of the hall is emphasized by decorative elements in the form of laurel wreaths and army trophies.<\/p>\n

The museum exposition demonstrates the best examples of porcelain products from the Imperial Factory, as well as sculptures made by masters from Europe and Russia.<\/p>\n

Petrovsky (Small Throne) Hall<\/h3>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

For receptions, a hall dedicated to Peter I was equipped. The walls are decorated with images of symbols of the power of the monarch:<\/p>\n

The central position in the room is occupied by a throne made by the London jeweler K. Clausen from gold and silver. In the niche behind him, there is a painting by Y. Amigoni “Peter I with the goddess of wisdom Minerva”.<\/p>\n

The walls of the hall are covered with velvet panels embroidered with silver thread. Battle canvases complete the interior decoration of the room (authors P. Scotti and B. Medici):<\/p>\n

Armorial Hall<\/h3>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

One of the most significant in terms of area (1 thousand square meters) premises of the imperial residence was modified several times:<\/p>\n

The first designer of the apartments was J. Felten. After the fire, restoration work was carried out under the leadership of Stasov. The hall was intended for conducting solemn court ceremonies – balls, receptions, masquerades.<\/p>\n

Its design was supposed to symbolize the greatness and power of the Russian Empire. At the door there are sculptures of warriors in ancient Russian military attire. They hold banners, on whose poles are attached emblems with the coats of arms of Russian provinces. Images of coats of arms are also imprinted on chandeliers.<\/p>\n

Columns rise along the perimeter of the walls, holding the balcony. The decorative dominant of the apartments is a stone bowl carved from a single piece of aventurine.<\/p>\n

Military gallery of 1812<\/h3>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

To move from the White Gallery (later the Armorial Hall) to the Great Throne Room, several interior rooms were combined into a new gallery. It was designed by K. Rossi.<\/p>\n

The main idea is to perpetuate the memory of military exploits in the Patriotic War of 1812. For this purpose, D. Dow was commissioned a series of portraits of Russian generals. It included 332 canvases. In addition, on the walls of the hall you can see artistic images:<\/p>\n

The opening of the Military Gallery took place in 1826.<\/p>\n

Georgievsky (Large Throne) Hall<\/h3>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

The Great Throne Hall was intended for the most important state events in the imperial residence. Its arrangement lasted from 1787 to 1795. Designed by the architect D. Quarenghi. The main emphasis in the interior decoration is on the throne place. Directly above it, carved from Carrara marble, is a bas-relief “George the Victorious slaying the dragon.” Its author, sculptor from Italy F. Nero.<\/p>\n

The room was lit through two rows of windows. Visually, the interior space increased due to the same pattern on the floor and ceiling. The ornament was laid out of wooden slabs of 16 types of wood. With the establishment of Soviet power, instead of a throne, a giant map<\/a> of the USSR was mounted in the hall. Precious and semi-precious stones (45 thousand pieces) served as the starting material for it. At the end of the 20th century the throne place was restored, and the map was transferred to the Mining Museum.<\/p>\n

big church<\/h3>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

The palace church is not like the usual temples with domes. Her plan was developed by F. B. Rastrelli. The premises are characterized by features of the baroque style. The space is divided by pylons into 3 parts:<\/p>\n

The temple premise is decorated with:<\/p>\n

The church was consecrated on the feast of the Savior Not Made by Hands in 1763. The chapel served as a place for home prayers for members of the imperial family. On the roof at the end of the 19th century. the belfry was built on 5 bells.<\/p>\n

Orthodox relics were preserved in the Great Palace Church:<\/p>\n

Now the temple apartments serve as a venue for large-scale art exhibitions under the auspices of the Hermitage.<\/p>\n

chapel for worship<\/h3>\n

In the northwestern corner of the residence, a small chapel was built for worship. An onion-shaped dome is built on top. Inside there is an iconostasis of 2 tiers. The ceiling is painted with a fresco about the Descent of the Holy Spirit. The main relic is a cross with a particle of the Life-Giving Tree and the relics of the Three Hierarchs. During the years of Soviet power, the premises were used as a lecture hall, a red corner at the Museum of the Revolution. Currently, exhibitions are held in the hall.<\/p>\n

Picket (New) hall<\/h3>\n

At the age of 30 19th century Stasov designed another small hall on the site of the guardhouse. That is why the apartment was called the Picket Hall. It was intended to find guardsmen on duty. The decoration of the room is made in a strict military style with decor in the form of military equipment.<\/p>\n

Alexander Hall<\/h3>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

To perpetuate the memory of Emperor Alexander I, a hall of the same name was created. Its interior was designed by A.P. Bryullov. The decoration of the room is decorated in the style of classicism. The painting on the walls and ceiling recalls the events of the Patriotic War of 1812. The allegorical images are enclosed in medallions made according to the sketches of F. Tolstoy. The hall contains a collection of silverware by European masters of the 16th-19th centuries. An exhibition of paintings by French artists is exhibited in the neighboring apartments.<\/p>\n

Own staircase<\/h3>\n

It was built in the style of classicism according to the project of O. Montferrand. The surface of the walls is decorated in the technique of monochrome painting (grisaille). During the storming of the Winter Palace in 1917, revolutionaries climbed up it. As a result, the name Oktyabrskaya was assigned to the staircase.<\/p>\n

Chambers of Empress Maria Alexandrovna<\/h3>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

For the needs of Empress Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Alexander II, apartments were allocated including:<\/p>\n

Bas-relief images, marble and jasper trim, mirrors, furniture, paintings, porcelain vases were used as decorative elements.<\/p>\n

Anterooms of the Neva front suite<\/h3>\n

The Great Throne Hall was connected to the Jordan Staircase by a chain of halls. They were called the “Nevsky Enfilade”, due to their location<\/a> along the Neva embankment. The enfilade was opened by the Avanzal. It was designed by D. Quarenghi and recreated by Stasov. The room played the role of a buffet room during ceremonial balls. Since 1948, a rotunda made of Ural gems “Malachite Temple” has been put on public display in the Anteroom. The decorative item was donated by the Demidovs to Emperor Nicholas I in 1836.<\/p>\n

The central position in the enfilade is occupied by the Great Hall. It was created at the end of the 18th century. in place of 3 entrance halls. The room was decorated with multi-colored marble slabs and was illuminated by glass lanterns. V. P. Stasov enhanced the solemn appearance of the hall. It was often used for court balls and banquets, since the interior space has the largest area in the palace (1.1 thousand square meters). In the 50s of the 19th century. a portrait of Nicholas I appeared in the hall. For which the apartments began to be called the Nicholas Hall.<\/p>\n

During the 1st World War, the building housed a Red Cross hospital. Since the middle of the last century, the Nicholas Hall has served as a venue for large-scale cultural events<\/a>. The Concert Hall was specially equipped for musical evenings. Statues of ancient Greek muses and deities were used in its design (author I. German). The museum exposition of the apartments is dedicated to silverware made by Russian masters of the 17th-20th centuries. The central place in it is given to the shrine, where the relics of Alexander Nevsky were buried.<\/p>\n

Malachite living room<\/h3>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

The Malachite Living Room is unique in its design. Ural malachite, processed at a factory in Peterhof, was used to decorate the room. Jasper was also used as a decorative material (designed by Montferrand). The interior was complemented by marble and gilding. The technique of facing the living room is known as “Russian mosaic”.<\/p>\n

Initially, the building was part of the complex of residential apartments of Alexandra Feodorovna, the wife of Nicholas I. It served as a hall for solemn receptions of guests, and later as a gathering place for the royal family before going out to the public. The project was developed by the architect A. Bryullov. The wall painting was made according to sketches by A. Vigi. It depicts the allegorical figure of Poetry surrounded by Day and Night. The Provisional Government chose the Malachite Drawing Room for its meetings.<\/p>\n

Interesting Facts<\/a><\/h2>\n

The building and its interior have repeatedly become scenery for the filming of feature films and TV series. Among them:<\/p>\n

A separate population of domestic cats has developed in the palace. Their ancestors were a Dutch cat brought to Russia by Peter I and several cats from Kazan<\/a>, brought to St. Petersburg by order of Elizabeth. During the blockade, the cat “palace guard” completely disappeared and was restored anew. The cats are completely satisfied. Their direct duties include the extermination of rodents in the building.<\/p>\n

Where is it located and how to get there<\/h2>\n

\"Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

The exact location of the palace: Palace Square, 2 and Palace Embankment, 38. It can be reached on foot from metro stations:<\/p>\n

Winter Palace in St. Petersburg on the map<\/h2>\n