Small Church of Winter Palace

The Small Church of Winter Palace is an Orthodox chapel in Saint Petersburg featuring gilded stucco walls and Corinthian columns. The interior preserves religious artwork and decorative elements that reflect the elegance of the original design.

The chapel was completed in 1768 and served as a private worship space for the imperial family. After the revolution of 1917 it remained a place of religious significance while the palace complex underwent major transformations.

The chapel contains religious vestments and sacred objects that visitors can see during tours. Many of these pieces reflect the religious practices and devotion of the imperial family across several centuries.

The chapel can be visited only as part of the State Hermitage Museum tours and requires advance reservation. It is best to check current visiting conditions before your trip since not all areas of the palace are open at all times.

The chapel maintained its religious purpose and furnishings while the adjacent Grand Church of the palace became an exhibition hall in 1918. This distinction makes it a rare example of an active religious space within a major museum complex.