Writes about St. Petersburg, its history, sights, museums and routes.
Historian and guide, specializing in St. Petersburg, Pavlovsk, and Tsarskoye Selo.
Palace Square in St Petersburg is the geographical and historical center of the city, as well as an architectural mecca and a pole of cultural attraction. Every year, millions of tourists from all over the world and city residents flock here to touch the history of the Russian Empire, enjoy the splendor of the architecture, and feel the unique atmosphere of the Northern Palmyra.
A historical journey: from Peter I to the present day
The beginning of the story (1704-1762)
The history of Palace Square begins in 1704, when the Admiralty Shipyard was built by order of Peter I. The area in front of it, known as the Admiralty Meadow, was used for storing ship timber and as a defensive space. From 1760, the meadow turned into a construction site for the Winter Palace – the future residence of Russian emperors.
Later, Palace Square was built up. Opposite the Winter Palace, on the southern side of the square, the General Staff Building was constructed. Its western and eastern wings are united by the Triumphal Arch. On the eastern side is the building of the Guards Corps Headquarters.
Interesting facts about Palace Square in St Petersburg:
The modern Winter Palace is the fifth one. The first was built under Peter I in 1705, and the current one was completed in 1762. Each monarch ordered the palace repainted according to their own preferences and tastes. Initially it was soft yellow, then it darkened and became the color of dark ochre, and then it changed completely, taking on red-brick tones. In the late 20s it became gray, then acquired a gray-brown palette. And only after the war was it painted in its modern emerald-blue color.
Interesting facts about Palace Square
- Dimensions: the square covers about 5 hectares
- The Alexander Column: weighs more than 600 tons
- The Hermitage: holds more than 3 million exhibits
- "Singing Bridges": a unique phenomenon that exists only in St. Petersburg
Palace Square is a place that everyone who visits Saint Petersburg should see. Here you will see with your own eyes how history connects with modernity, art, architecture and everyday life. This is not just a tourist attraction, it is a living organism of the city that continues to develop and surprise.
Come to Saint Petersburg to see with your own eyes the splendor of Palace Square — the heart of the Northern Capital! Stroll along the cobblestones, feel the breath of history, enjoy masterpieces of art in the Hermitage, and create and preserve unforgettable memories of this beautiful city.
Why Palace Square is in UNESCO
The architectural ensemble of Palace Square is a unique example of 18th–19th-century urban planning art. The fully preserved historic buildings, the harmonious combination of different architectural styles and the historical significance make the square a world cultural heritage site.
Formation of the ensemble (19th century)
- 1834 - installation of the Alexander Column in honor of the victory over Napoleon. The height of the column is 47.5 meters.
- 1829 - completion of the construction of the General Staff Building with the Triumphal Arch
- Formation of a unified architectural ensemble in the classical style
- 20th century: revolutions and change
- 1905 - the tragic event "Bloody Sunday"
- 1917 - the storming of the Winter Palace during the October Revolution
- Soviet period: parades and mass events
- 1990 - inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List
The main dominant of the square is the Winter Palace, built in the Elizabethan Baroque style to the design of Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Today it is part of the world-famous Hermitage Museum.
What to see around Palace Square
- The Hermitage, these are 365 halls of the main museum complex
- The living quarters of the Winter Palace
- The Pavilion, Dance and Throne halls
- Raphael Loggias - an exact copy of the Vatican ones
- The "Peacock" clock - wound every Friday at 19:00
- Collections of Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Raphael, Titian
- Impressionists - in the General Staff building (Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh)
Alexander Column
A 47.5-meter column of solid granite, topped with a figure of an angel with a cross. The uniqueness of the monument is that
it is held up only by its own weight without additional fastenings.
General Staff Building
A semicircular building with a majestic Triumphal Arch, built to the design of Carlo Rossi.
Today it also houses Hermitage expositions, including the collection of Impressionists.
Headquarters of the Guards Corps
It closes the ensemble of the square on the eastern side, creating a harmonious architectural complex.
Events held in 2025 on Palace Square
Palace Square continues to be the main venue for cultural and mass events in Saint Petersburg.
Winter 2025:
- Grand 3D mapping show "Tchaikovsky" on the facades of the General Staff Building and the Guards Corps Headquarters
- Hermitage Days - multimedia shows and events dedicated to art
- New Year celebrations and Christmas fairs
- Open-air ice rink
Spring-Summer 2025:
- May-October - daily show "Singing Bridges"
- Ceremonial parade in honor of City Day
- Open-air concerts
- St. Petersburg International Book Salon (May 22-25)
Autumn 2025:
- Gathering of bard song enthusiasts by the walls of the Winter Palace
- Cultural festivals and exhibitions
- Sporting events
Regular events:
- International Marathon "White Nights"
- Run "Pushkin - St. Petersburg"
- City holidays and festivals
- Concerts by world-famous stars
Nearby attractions: what to see around
- Nevsky Prospect - the city's central thoroughfare, from the Admiralty to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra
- Kazan Cathedral - an architectural masterpiece
- The Singer Company Building - with a panoramic viewing platform
- Gostiny Dvor - the oldest shopping center
- Anichkov Bridge with the legendary sculptures of horse tamers
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Palace Bridge
The famous drawbridge connecting Palace Square with Vasilyevsky Island. From May to October, a sound show "Singing Bridges" takes place here - the bridge is raised to classical music.
The Admiralty and Alexander Garden
The historic shipyard building with a golden spire topped by a ship weathervane - one of the symbols of Petersburg. Nearby is the cozy Alexander Garden.
The best time to visit
- Morning (10:00-12:00): fewer tourists, better lighting for photos
- Evening (18:00-21:00): beautiful building illumination, atmospheric walks
- White Nights (June-July): the magical atmosphere of the never-setting sun
- Winter: festive atmosphere, fewer queues
Tips for tourists:
- Footwear: choose comfortable shoes — the square is large, you'll have to walk a lot
- Photos: the best angles - from the Alexander Column to the Winter Palace and from the Triumphal Arch
- Time: plan at least 3-4 hours to explore the square and the Hermitage
- Tickets: buy Hermitage tickets online to avoid queues
- Tours: we recommend taking a guided tour for full immersion in history
- Weather: take an umbrella or raincoat - the weather in St. Petersburg is changeable
Tour of the Hermitage
Private Hermitage tour with an art historian
Go to the tour →
