Winter Palace, Imperial palace and museum in Dvortsovy District, St. Petersburg, Russia.
The green and white facades extend 230 meters along the Neva River, enclosing 1084 rooms, 1476 windows, and 117 staircases within this monumental Baroque structure featuring elaborate ornamentation and gilded details throughout.
Built between 1754 and 1762 under Empress Elizabeth I, the structure served as the main residence for Russian monarchs until 1917 and became part of the State Museum in 1922, now known as the Hermitage.
The building houses major collections of European paintings, ancient sculptures, and decorative arts from various continents, displayed throughout lavish halls and galleries that attract millions of visitors from around the world each year.
Access is through the main entrance at Palace Square, with tickets available for general visits and guided tours. The nearby Admiralteyskaya metro station is about 500 meters away, and visitors should plan several hours to explore the extensive collections.
The 1837 fire required complete interior reconstruction, with architects Stasov, Briullov, and Staubert completing restoration in just 15 months while incorporating more modern heating and ventilation systems into the redesigned spaces.
Location: Dvortsovy Municipal Okrug
Inception: 1754
Founders: Elizabeth I of Russia
Architects: Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli
Official opening: 1762
Architectural style: Elizabethan Baroque
Part of: Hermitage Museum, historic centre of Saint Petersburg
Website: http://hermitagemuseum.org/wps/portal/hermitage
GPS coordinates: 59.94028,30.31389
Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:44
Photo license: CC BY-SA 4.0
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Hermitage Museum
35 m
Alexander Column
164 m
Palace Square
175 m
Palace Bridge
316 m
Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments
180 m
Military Gallery of the Winter Palace
65 m
New Hermitage
226 m
Small Hermitage
143 m
Hermitage Portico with Atlantes
222 m
Private Apartments of the Winter Palace
14 m
Universitetskaya Embankment
942 m
St George's Hall and Apollo Room of the Winter Palace
105 m
Malachite Room of the Winter Palace
114 m
Grand Church of the Winter Palace
102 m
Hanging gardens of the Small Hermitage
143 m
Lions
295 m
Hermitage hall 204 - Pavilion Hall
143 m
Small Church of Winter Palace
194 m
Private Garden of the Winter Palace
167 m
Russian State Naval Archive, Saint Petersburg
265 m
Эрмитажный гараж
87 m
Egyptian Collection of the Hermitage Museum
105 m
Muzeĭ M.V. Lomonosova
35 m
Alexander Hall of the Winter Palace
114 m
First Zimny bridge
296 m
Dvortsovaya pier
286 m
Building of the General Staff - clock
175 m
Shepelev palace
250 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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