Winter Palace: reviews and practical tips

The Winter Palace at a glance

A Saint Petersburg landmark defined by its pastel green and white facade in the Elizabethan Baroque style, the Winter Palace is an Unesco World Heritage site. It served as the former residence of the tsars before becoming the main building of the massive Hermitage museum.

Commissioned by Peter the Great in the 18th century, it was designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli before being destroyed by fire and rebuilt four times. His daughter, Catherine the Great, housed 2,000 of her private artworks here. Its strategic position, facing the square on one side and the embankment bordering the Neva river on the other, once symbolized the authority and reach of the Russian monarchy. In 1917, during the revolution, the palace was stormed by the Bolsheviks.

Start by observing its sheer scale. The Winter Palace is a rectangle spanning 250 meters in length and 50 meters in height, containing nearly 1,500 rooms, an equal number of doors and windows, and about 100 staircases. As the second most visited museum in Russia, it holds one of the largest collections of art and artifacts in the world. Its galleries form a lavish labyrinth of marquetry, crystal, gold leaf, and countless other treasures.

Entrance is through the Palace Square. Upon arrival, pick up a map. This will help you navigate the three different levels and locate the state rooms and essential exhibits. Note that historically, only the first floor was reserved for the imperial family. The ground floor was where servants and administrators worked, while the second floor housed offices for high-ranking officials and other influential figures.

You will want to see the Jordan Staircase, the rococo chapel by Rastrelli, the Great Throne Room, and the Blue Room, known for its silver collection. If you can manage it, purchase a two-day pass. This allows you to explore the vast complex at a more relaxed pace.