Palaces and Castles

In St. Petersburg itself, dozens of palaces from the 18th–19th centuries have been preserved – from the Winter Palace, now part of the Hermitage, to the Mariinsky, Yusupov, and Menshikov palaces. Many belonged to the imperial family or major noble clans and still retain their grand interiors, halls, and historical layout. Such a number of aristocratic residences within a single city shapes its unique architectural scale and makes St. Petersburg one of the most 'palatial' cities in Europe.

The Tauride Palace: from Catherine II's gift to political upheavals

The Tauride Palace in St. Petersburg: a gift to Potemkin from Catherine II, the events of 1917, Starov's architecture, the Catherine and Dome Halls, legends, and tours.

Stroganov Palace on Nevsky: how Russia's richest family lived

Stroganov Palace in St. Petersburg: history of construction under Sergei Stroganov, architecture by Francesco Rastrelli, pink facade, coat of arms with sables, Voronikhin interiors, Masonic symbols, and the museum today.

The Marble Palace – Catherine II's most personal gift to her favorite

Marble Palace in St. Petersburg: gift from Catherine II to Grigory Orlov, 32 types of marble, Orlov and White Halls, Konstantin owners, and a branch of the Russian Museum.

The Small Hermitage – a palace for the inner circle and the beginning of a great collection

The Small Hermitage in St. Petersburg: history of Catherine II's secluded palace, the northern and southern pavilions, the Pavilion Hall, the Hanging Garden, the Peacock Clock, and the first masterpieces of the Hermitag…

Вид на Михайловский дворец со стороны площади Искусств

The Mikhailovsky Palace: The First State Museum

The Mikhailovsky Palace in St. Petersburg: history of the imperial residence, architecture by Karl Rossi, interiors, and main masterpieces of the State Russian Museum.

Вид на Михайловский замок в Санкт-Петербурге

Mikhailovsky Castle: the only castle in St. Petersburg shrouded in legends

Mikhailovsky Castle in St. Petersburg: history of construction, architectural features, the tragedy of Paul I, mystical legends, and the museum today.

Зимний дворец в Санкт-Петербурге – главный фасад

The Winter Palace and why it is called a 'city within a city'

The Winter Palace – the former imperial residence and the heart of the Hermitage. History of the palace, architecture, halls, facts and tips for visiting.

Фасад Зимнего дворца и набережная Невы — Государственный Эрмитаж в Санкт-Петербурге

The Hermitage in St. Petersburg — halls of the Winter Palace, history, and masterpieces of world art

The State Hermitage in St. Petersburg — the Winter Palace, grand halls, museum history, and masterpieces of world painting. What to see in the Hermitage and how a tour of the city's main museum goes.

St. Petersburg is impossible to imagine without palaces and castles. They set the city's rhythm – from grand facades on the Neva to suburban residences with parks and lakes. Each building is tied to a specific era and the people who shaped the country's history.

Here are imperial residences, suburban ensembles, fortresses, and castles built over different centuries. Catherine Palace, Gatchina Palace, Engineer's Castle, Peterhof complexes, and other architectural monuments create a complete picture of architectural development from Baroque to Classicism.

Palaces and castles of St. Petersburg are valued for their scale, layout, artistic details, and historical role. They remain among the city's main symbols and an important part of its cultural heritage.