Apartments of Nicholas II in the Winter Palace. Chambers of Catherine II in the last years of her life Catherine's Winter Palace 2 architect

255 years ago (1754), the construction of the Winter Palace began in St. Petersburg, which was completed in 1762.

One of the most famous buildings in St. Petersburg is the building of the Winter Palace, which stands on Palace Square and was built in the Baroque style.

The history of the Winter Palace begins with the reign of Peter I.

The very first, then still the Winter House, was built for Peter I in 1711 on the banks of the Neva. The first Winter Palace was two-storey, with a tiled roof and a high porch. In 1719-1721, the architect Georg Mattornovi built a new palace for Peter I.

Empress Anna Ioannovna considered the Winter Palace too small and did not want to settle in it. She commissioned the construction of the new Winter Palace to the architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. For new construction, the houses of Count Apraksin, Raguzinsky and Chernyshev, located on the embankment of the Neva River, as well as the building of the Naval Academy, were purchased. They were demolished, and by 1735 a new Winter Palace was built in their place. At the end of the 18th century, the Hermitage Theater was erected on the site of the old palace.

Empress Elizaveta Petrovna also wished to remake the imperial residence to her taste. The construction of the new palace was entrusted to the architect Rastrelli. The project of the Winter Palace created by the architect was signed by Elizaveta Petrovna on June 16, 1754.

In the summer of 1754, Elizaveta Petrovna issued a nominal decree on the beginning of the construction of the palace. The required amount - about 900 thousand rubles - was withdrawn from the "tavern" money (collection from the drinking trade). The previous palace was demolished. During construction, the yard moved to a temporary wooden palace built by Rastrelli on the corner of Nevsky and Moika.

The palace was notable for its incredible size for those times, magnificent exterior decoration and luxurious interior decoration.

The Winter Palace is a three-storey rectangular building with a huge front yard inside. The main facades of the palace face the embankment and the square that was formed later.

Creating the Winter Palace, Rastrelli designed each facade differently, based on specific conditions. The northern façade, facing the Neva, stretches like a more or less even wall, without noticeable ledges. From the side of the river, it is perceived as an endless two-tiered colonnade. South façade facing Palace Square and having seven articulations, is the main one. Its center is highlighted by a wide, richly decorated risalit cut through by three entrance arches. Behind them is the main courtyard, where in the middle of the northern building was the main entrance to the palace.

Along the perimeter of the roof of the palace there is a balustrade with vases and statues (originally made of stone in 1892-1894 were replaced by a brass knockout).

The length of the palace (along the Neva) is 210 meters, width - 175 meters, height - 22 meters. The total area of ​​the palace is 60 thousand square meters, it has more than 1000 halls, 117 different staircases.

There were two chains of ceremonial halls in the palace: along the Neva and in the center of the building. In addition to the ceremonial halls, on the second floor there were living quarters of members of the imperial family. The first floor was occupied by utility and service premises. The apartments of the courtiers were mainly located on the upper floor.

About four thousand employees lived here, even had its own army - palace grenadiers and guards from the guards regiments. The palace had two churches, a theater, a museum, a library, a garden, an office, and a pharmacy. The halls of the palace were decorated with gilded carvings, luxurious mirrors, chandeliers, candelabra, patterned parquet.

Under Catherine II, a winter garden was organized in the Palace, where both northern plants and plants brought from the south grew, the Romanov Gallery; at the same time, the formation of St. George's Hall was completed. Under Nicholas I, a gallery was organized in 1812, where 332 portraits of participants in the Patriotic War were placed. The architect Auguste Montferrand added the Petrovsky and Field Marshal's Halls to the palace.

In 1837, a fire broke out in the Winter Palace. Many things were saved, but the building itself was badly damaged. But thanks to the architects Vasily Stasov and Alexander Bryullov, the building was restored two years later.

In 1869, instead of candlelight, gas lighting appeared in the palace. Since 1882, the installation of telephones in the premises began. In the 1880s, a water pipe was built in the Winter Palace. At Christmas 1884-1885, electric lighting was tested in the halls of the Winter Palace; from 1888, gas lighting was gradually replaced by electric lighting. For this, a power plant was built in the second hall of the Hermitage, which for 15 years was the largest in Europe.

In 1904, Emperor Nicholas II moved from the Winter Palace to the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoye Selo. The Winter Palace became a place for ceremonial receptions, ceremonial dinners, and the seat of the king during short visits to the city.

Throughout the history of the Winter Palace as imperial residence in it, in accordance with fashion trends, the interiors were redone. The building itself changed the color of its walls several times. The Winter Palace was painted in red, pink, yellow colors. Before the First World War, the palace was painted red-brick.

During the First World War, there was an infirmary in the building of the Winter Palace. After the February Revolution of 1917, the Provisional Government worked in the Winter Palace. In the post-revolutionary years, various departments and institutions were located in the building of the Winter Palace. In 1922, part of the building was transferred to the Hermitage Museum.

In 1925 - 1926 the building was rebuilt again, now for the needs of the museum.

During the Great Patriotic War, the Winter Palace suffered from air raids and shelling. In the cellars of the palace there was a dispensary for scientists and cultural figures who suffered from dystrophy. In 1945-1946, restoration work was carried out, at the same time the entire Winter Palace became part of the Hermitage.

At present, the Winter Palace, together with the Hermitage Theatre, the Small, New and Large Hermitage, forms a single museum complex "The State Hermitage".

Address: Palace Square, 2

Opening hours: from 10.30 to 18.00

The main palace of Russian emperors was built from 1754 to 1762 years as a court architect, Italian by birth B.F.Rastrelli. The palace was built in the then common style baroque, which was characterized by splendor, grandeur, pronounced contrast and solemnity.

The palace began to be built Elizabeth Petrovna, but the empress did not live to see the end of construction and the first mistress of the new Winter Palace turned out to be Catherine II. She was also the initiator of the creation of an art gallery and collections of other works of art, which eventually formed priceless Hermitage treasures. Subsequently, the palace turns into a permanent residence acting emperors up to Nicholas II, although he was more fond of the Tsarskoye Selo Alexander Palace.

In difficult years First World War the palace halls were given over to military hospital. In 1917 (from March to October), members of the Provisional Government. From 1920 to 1941 the halls are occupied Museum of the Revolution and the Hermitage.

Today, the Winter Palace with the treasures of the Hermitage housed in it is the most visited tourist place Petersburg. People come here to see the palace itself - the brightest city landmark and the works of art that are in it.

History of creation

From the time of Peter the Great to the transformation of the palace into a majestic work of architectural art of the mid-18th century, 5 winter palace structures (together with the latter).

First Winter

The first stone Winter Palace was a palace presented to the first Emperor of Russia Peter on the day of his wedding with Ekaterina Alekseevna by the then governor of the city, friend and ally of Peter - A. Menshikov 1712. That palace called wedding chambers, stood between the Neva and the current Millionnaya street.

Second Winter

Peter, living in the Wedding Chambers, decided to build a new royal winter residence, which was supposed to be located on the formed new embankment(now Palace), from where it was perfectly visible both city buildings and Peter and Paul Fortress, and the Menshikov Palace, and, of course, the banks of the Neva, flowing to the sea.

A German architect began to build the Winter Palace of Peter the Great at the intersection of the Winter Canal with the Neva G.Mattarnovi. His project of the palace looked like a solid two-story German building, decorated with pilasters and rustication, with a central risalit part, on the pediment of which a coat of arms with a crown was to be placed.

Palace construction was in full swing when the architect suddenly dies. The construction was continued by the St. Petersburg architect N. Gerbel, who expanded the building, using the already rebuilt premises as the west wing. Having made the eastern wing similar to the western one, Gerbel focuses on the central part, decorating it with columns and creating the effect of a triumphal Roman arch.

The Winter Palace of Peter the Great begins a new era in the creation of magnificent, large-scale and solemn palace apartments, for which St. Petersburg is so famous today. Although, compared with subsequent palaces, Peter's palace decoration was more than humble. Nevertheless, with the creation of the second Winter Palace, the city ensemble building, characteristic of St. Petersburg architecture, begins.

In this Winter Palace, Peter the Great lived with his family from 1720. This is where Tsar Peter died. in 1725.

Catherine the First, after the death of Peter, work began to expand the palace (architect D. Trezzini), interior work continued under Peter the Second. But then, already under Anna Ioannovna, the royal persons did not live in the Winter Palace of Peter. Elizaveta Petrovna placed in it the grenadier company of the Preobrazhensky Regiment. BUT towards the end of the 18th century Catherine II instead of the Winter Palace of Peter the Great was erected Hermitage Theater(architect J. Quarenghi) for entertainment.

For a long time it was believed that the Palace of Peter the Great gone missing, dismantled for theater construction, but in the late 70s of the 20th century, architectural research revealed several preserved parts of the first floor and the basement of the former Peter's building, which were located under the stage of the Hermitage Theater. In the preserved rooms, called "Small tents" of Peter managed to recreate the interiors of the Petrine era. The king's study with a tiled Dutch stove is furnished with his personal belongings. It was also possible to restore some of the chambers built under Catherine the Great.

Today you can see the expositions of the Dining Room, Peter's office where he died, turning, front yard. Presented and wax posthumous "Person" of Peter, created from the deceased emperor himself Rastrelli, who, having taken casts from the face, arms and legs, subsequently made a life-size Wax Person from them. Moreover, the hair for making a wig, mustache, eyebrows were real - imperial. The “person” is dressed in a European costume from the royal wardrobe.

To get acquainted with the exposition of this little-known, but very unique Winter Palace of Peter the Great, you need to enter with Palace embankment, 32. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30 to 17.00. Mondays are days off at the museum.

Third Winter Palace

As already mentioned, the next mistress of the Russian throne Anna Ioannovna Peter's palace seemed small. The creation of an enlarged palace analogue, she instructs F.Rastrelli. To make this a reality, nearby buildings are being bought out and demolished, and in 1732 the construction of the third Winter Palace building begins. The new four-story palace is being built in three years and includes seventy rooms, one hundred bedrooms, several galleries, rooms for the theater, as well as service rooms.

However, the empress who entered the palace constantly demanded some new additions, organization of new premises, etc. Since 1741, the new mistress of the palace - Elizaveta Petrovna- continued the policy of adding new premises, which ultimately led the palace to a state of decentralization, untidy architectural forms and the absence of a common style.

In 1752 Elizabeth buys out the next neighboring plots to expand the palace building. Rastrelli proposed an increase in the palace area in breadth, due to new buildings, but Elizabeth demanded that the building be expanded upwards as well. Debate The architect and the empress led to the decision to demolish the existing palace and build a new one in its place! The construction of another palace structure began in 1754.

Fourth Winter

The Fourth Winter Palace as a temporary one (at the time of the creation of the fifth one) is being built on Nevsky Prospekt, which is already taking shape, where today there are 13 and 15 houses. After the construction of the fifth and last version of the Winter Palace was completed in 1761, the fourth, as unnecessary, was dismantled (1762). Elizaveta Petrovna, who dreamed so much of a big palace, did not live to see the completion of construction work.

Fifth Winter (last)

So, by the imperial order of Elizabeth Petrovna, the architect Rastrelli erects a three-story building - the highest at that time ( about 24 meters) - an architectural structure in St. Petersburg, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bwhich was about 60 thousand square meters. The palace, consisting of four buildings, closed in the form of a square, forming a courtyard. Such a palace layout was characteristic of Western architecture of that time.

The main arched entrance to the palace territory was organized from Palace Embankment. But even though the main facade, more than two kilometers long, faced the Neva, this did not mean that more attention was paid to it. The palace struck from all sides luxury, splendor, architectural decor with the changing rhythm of the columns.

The perimeter of the roof is decorated with vases and sculptures, which gives the building even more splendor and pomposity. The palace building had ocher color with highlighted decorative elements and columns. The palace consisted of over a thousand rooms, had more than a hundred stairs and about one and a half thousand windows.

The interior of the palace was created enfilade, i.e. all rooms were on the same axis, connected by a through corridor and had a spatial perspective. Northern enfilade stretches along Nevsky Prospekt, southern along Palace Square. Three corner wings occupied the living quarters of the ruling emperors.

The final interior design of the building has already been completed under Catherine II, which removes Rastrelli from further work and the interiors continue to take shape Y. Felten, J. Vallin-Delamot and A. Rinaldi. Under further emperors, reconstruction work was also carried out, the purpose and interior design of the premises changed.

In 1837 powerful fire, which raged for three days, caused a terrible ruin to the palace - a huge part of the interiors died in the fire - but, nevertheless, the Winter Palace restored in record time. Moreover, some rooms (Field Marshal's, Petrovsky, etc.) were recreated almost in their original version, and some of the rooms (Malachite, Gothic Library, Alexandra Feodorovna's White Drawing Room, etc.) were created in a new architectural style.

Therefore, it must be borne in mind that much in the interiors and the purpose of the premises has been changed compared to the original plan, and today we see the halls in their reconstructive and new design, related to by the second half of the 19th century.

The main halls of the Winter Palace (briefly)

The main palace halls, including the ceremonial ones, are occupied second floor Winter Palace.

jordan stairs

Acquaintance with the halls of the Winter Palace begins with a magnificent front staircase , originally called Ambassadorial, and then Jordanian. This staircase retained the Baroque Rastrelli style, restored by subsequent architects, who, however, made significant changes to the interior.

Here, the splendor of the white marble staircase with a carved balustrade, and granite columns, and the reflected light of mirrors, are striking. statues of gods and muses, gilded intricate ornament and, of course, incomparable plafond with images of the gods of Olympus.

The main staircase on the second floor diverges in two enfilade directions - in the north - along the Neva, and in the east - deep into the palace. In any case, you will be able to bypass all the premises of the second floor along the perimeter, thanks to their through enfilade device.

Nicholas Hall

If you go along the northern enfilade, then through Nikolaevsky anteroom with a malachite rotunda, you can go to Nikolaevsky Hall, which is considered the largest room in the Winter Palace. It was named so after the portrait of the late Nicholas I was placed here, and was considered the main palace hall for receptions and balls, which could gather up to 3000 guests.

The interior of this hall is decorated in the post-fire period. V. Stasov in a different way than it existed before the fire - a strict monotonous decor is decorated Corinthian columns. From the Nikolaevsky Hall we get to the Concert Hall, having examined it, further along the way we move to the northwestern wing.

Concert hall

Originally intended for concerts, the hall several times changed. It is decorated with antique sculptures depicting various types of art, among them there are all kinds of goddesses and muses. Today, the hall presents an exposition of Russian silverware, as well as a unique Alexander Nevsky shrine, made of silver and transferred here from the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

The northwestern wing was designed for the family during the recovery period after the fire Nicholas II, and at the beginning of the 19th century there were the chambers of Alexander the First. In 1917, it was this wing that occupied provisional government, and arrested here.

In this wing, the Arabic and Malachite Halls, the White Dining Room, and the Gothic Library of Nicholas II are available for viewing.

Malachite Hall

This is a well-known and unique hall in a bright green frame. malachite columns and fireplaces. The hall is created by the architect A. Bryullov after the fire in a new interior solution. Decorative painting with figures of "Day", Night" and "Poetry" decorates the wall opposite the windows.

It was in this hall that the Provisional Government, which was overthrown in October 1917, met. Today, here you can see beautiful malachite products made by Russian craftsmen.

white dining room

This dining room has been redone in a mix of styles classicism and rococo at the end of the 19th century to the marriage of Nicholas II. The dining room is furnished with elegant furniture.

A bronze mantel clock shows the time of the arrest of the Provisional Government, which was taken under arrest right here.

Gothic library

Library room completed in the spirit of the Middle Ages(arch. A.Krasovsky). Used in its decoration Walnut and embossed golden leather. Tall windows with openwork bindings, high choirs for bookcases with a massive staircase, a monumental fireplace - all create an atmosphere of strength and inviolability.

Coming through Rotunda we turn into the western gallery, where samples of works related to Russian art of the 18th century are exhibited. We move along the gallery to the southwestern wing of the palace, where the former chambers, owned Maria Alexandrovna- the wife of Alexander II, among which are the Golden Living Room and the Blue Bedroom, the Raspberry Study and the Boudoir, the White Hall and the Green Dining Room.

white living room

This hall of Maria Alexandrovna appeared in the same period as the Malachite Hall, and is made in the same way. A. Bryulov. The White Hall is the most successful work of the architect, who combined three living rooms into a single architectural solution styled in ancient Roman villas. This style defines both the presence of Corinthian columns and the depiction of the Olympian gods.

The white living room was preparing for the marriage of Alexander II with Maria Alexandrovna and, as part of other rooms in this wing, was the apartments of the new imperial family.

During the period of placement in the Winter Provisional Government, the soldier garrison guarding it was located in these apartments. Soldiers, especially without ceremony, dried their wet clothes on Roman statues.

golden living room

Placers captivate us in this living room golden ornaments on white artificial marble walls. Interior made A. Bryulov for Empress Maria Alexandrovna, later improved A. Stackenschneider. Here you can admire the amazing marble fireplace for a long time. Its jasper columns, picturesque panels and bas-reliefs are harmoniously combined with gilded doors and beautiful parquet floors.

It was in this hall, after the tragic death of his father, that Alexander the Third, together with the State Council, discussed the further development of Russia.

Raspberry cabinet

This is the premises of Maria Alexandrovna, we also see in the converted A. Stackenschneider form. This living room sometimes served as a dining room, and sometimes concert hall. From here, a staircase, hidden by drapery, led to the children's rooms.

By the design of the room, one can judge the personal preferences of the empress, who was fond of music and painting. The room is decorated with medallions depicting notes and musical instruments. We see and unique carved grand piano 19th century. Also here are applied arts, porcelain dishes and more.

Next, passing October stairs, we pass through the enfilades of the southern side of the palace, along the Palace Embankment, in which French art of the 18th century is presented and we get into the front Alexander Hall, built by A. Bryullov to perpetuate the memory of Alexander the First.

From Alexander Hall via Prechurch, you can get to the Great Palace church Savior Not Made by Hands, which after restoration is open to the public. The premises of the church have preserved the splendor of the baroque style of F. Rastrelli. The former church of the imperial family today houses objects related to Russian church art.

And through the nearby picket hall, where in the 19th century the guards officers were on duty, and the palace guard was divorced, we pass into the Military Gallery and the Armorial Hall.

Armorial hall

During the restoration of the Winter Palace after the fire, this hall, with an area of ​​about a thousand square meters, was given a different semantic direction than before. In the pre-fire period in this place of the palace was white gallery, in the hall of which luxurious palace balls were held.

Architect V. Stasov creates a hall with an interior in a completely different thematic content, in accordance with its new purpose - now ceremonial receptions were planned here, and the decoration of the hall in classic style should have shown the power of Russia and the extent of her dominions. Therefore, sculptures of warriors are installed here. ancient Russia, equipped with provincial coats of arms. The same coats of arms are present in the design of chandeliers.

A colonnade with a balustraded balcony surrounding the hall gives it monumentality and solemnity. And the amazing aventurine bowl, located in the center, causes admiration for the skill of Russian stone cutters.

military gallery

Gallery dedicated to the participants heroic victory over the Napoleonic troops (architect C.Rossi)- one of the most famous palace galleries. It was formed in 1826 by combining several not very large palace premises.

The Military Gallery was created to accommodate generals' portraits of the Russian-French company 1812-1814. Each portrait was assigned a specific location by a specially created commission, where they were installed as they were painted. Almost everything from more than three hundred portraits created J. Doe. Some of them were written from the original source, some - from previously painted portraits. 13 images of the dead generals could not be found, so green silk is simply stretched over their names. A separate wall is occupied by a ceremonial portrait of Emperor Alexander the First.

Further in a straight line, it is supposed to inspect the Petrovsky and Field Marshal's halls. These halls, as well as the Armorial in the 30s. 19th century was decorated by the famous O. Montferrand. However, his work perished in the infamous fire of 1837. What we see is a talented reconstruction that was carried out by V.Stasov, A.Bryulov and E.Staubert.

Petrovsky hall

From the ashes of 1937 Small throne room, dedicated to Peter the Great, is restored in the original idea of ​​Montferrand. Triumphal arch framed by columns. Silver and gilded throne. The canvas behind the throne, depicting Peter the Great and the goddess Minerva (author J. Amikoni).

On other canvases of the hall there are scenes of the famous battles of the Northern War. The decor of the interior contains the monograms of the first Russian emperor, images of double-headed eagles and the imperial crown.

Field Marshal's Hall

This hall was named after the placement in its niches of portraits of prominent field marshals Russia. From the walls of this hall they look at us Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky, Potemkin-Tavrichesky, Suvorov, Kutuzov other. The decor of the hall is sustained military theme- these are laurel wreaths of winners, and military trophies. Also in the decoration of the hall there are art canvases with images of the military victories of the Russian army.

Today, the hall additionally houses paintings by foreign and domestic masters and houses the famous Imperial porcelain.

If we turn right from the Military Gallery, then we will get to the St. George's Hall (Great Throne Room).

St George's Hall

As the most majestic and solemn, Great Throne Room appeared by the end of the 18th century in the best examples of the classical style. Imperial solemn ceremonies and receptions were to be held there. On the day of St. George the Victorious, the consecration of the hall took place, which is why it began to be called St. George's. This hall completely burned down in 1837, and the splendor that we see is, again, a talented reconstruction created by V. Stasov.

George the Victorious present in the decoration of the hall in the form of a bas-relief located above the royal throne of London work. This throne, by the way, belonging to the first half of the 18th century, was made especially for Anna Ioannovna. Ornamental drawings of the ceiling are similar to the drawings of the parquet floor, made up of wooden fragments of 16 types of wood.

From here, through the Apollo Hall, you can go to the halls of the Small Hermitage, where art galleries are located.

Apollo Hall

At the end of the 18th century, the Apollo Hall emerged as a connecting link between the halls of the Winter Palace and the pavilions of the Small Hermitage. Chambers of Catherine II occupied the southeastern wing and were located in front of the Alexander Hall. The southern pavilion of the Small Hermitage occupied Count G.Orlov. Their chambers were connected by a gallery built between the palace and the pavilion.

When Catherine began collecting paintings, for which the Northern Pavilion was built, visitors to the Hermitage area walked past the chambers of the Empress, which caused her displeasure. Therefore, both the Apollo Hall and the new Throne George Hall were built ( arch. Quarenghi).

Winter Palace in St. Petersburg: history and modernity. Who created the projects and built, why did not all the owners like to lodge in the palace?

The main and largest residence of the Russian tsars, the Winter Palace, is the creation of the architect Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli (1700 - 1771). An Italian Parisian who gave St. Petersburg such a recognizable ceremonial appearance.

The imposing building of the palace, with one of its facades reflected in the smooth surface of the Neva, and with the other overlooking the vast Palace Square, inspires awe with a gigantic scope. The Russians, when looking at him, feel legitimate pride in their homeland! A square stretched out along the embankment for 210 meters - its width is equal to 175 meters!

Short description

The surviving complex of the Winter Palace was built in the middle of the 18th century in the Baroque architectural style. Differing in splendor and richness of details. Initially, the interiors were designed in exactly the same style. Today looking excessively pretentious.

In the 70s of the century, under Catherine II, more modestly decorated rooms appeared inside. But, however, more elegant and stylish - they were created by architects Ivan Yegorovich Starov and Giacomo Quarenghi.

The exact number of internal halls is not reported anywhere: there are approximately 1,100 of them. total area of premises is approximately 60,000 m2!

Do not think that this is not a match for, say, Madrid royal palace. Just the area and height (on 2 floors) of the ceremonial halls of the royal residence has no precedents in Europe ... and the world. Go through them - you will learn a lot of interesting things!

Note that the palace was not always painted in turquoise and white colors. After the fire of 1837, for example, it was repainted in sand-buff. White columns and architectural decor initially stood out against the background of the walls, but later everything was painted over “sandstone-like”.

During the construction of the General Staff building, the architect Karl Ivanovich Rossi proposed to paint everything in a strict gray color with white decoration and columns. It should have turned out very solemnly ... but the project did not receive approval.

Today, the Winter Palace has regained its historical color: turquoise walls with white columns and yellow architectural decor.

• Interestingly, until the second half of the 19th century, buildings were not built in St. Petersburg that were higher than the Winter Palace, that is, 23.5 meters!

What can be seen

Collections are located in the Winter Palace, as well as the Small, Old and New Hermitages attached to it later. And one of the largest in the world, of course. The collection has more than 3 million items!

In addition to a gigantic collection of paintings and sculptures, tapestries and vases, jewelry, the Egyptian collection, visitors can see the original decoration of the ceremonial and residential enfilades. As well as halls for receptions and balls, chamber rooms for work and everyday life of royalty, their relatives and guests.

• The Gold and Diamond Storerooms are visited with separate tickets and only with a guided tour!

History and architecture

Initially, on the site where the Winter Palace is located, the mansion of Admiral Fyodor Matveyevich Apraksin was located. Which is quite logical, because the Admiralty, which built the Russian fleet, is also located nearby.

According to the memoirs of contemporaries, the admiral's estate was the largest and most beautiful in all of St. Petersburg. After the death of the naval commander, the buildings and lands were transferred to the young emperor Peter II, since the Apraksins were relatives of the Romanovs.

First Winter Palace

Erected in the depths of the site between the Neva and Millionnaya streets. In 1712, the wooden two-storey building was rebuilt in stone. As a wedding gift, it was presented to the Tsar by Alexander Danilovich Menshikov.

The residence was rebuilt and expanded according to the design of the architect Georg Mattarnovi in ​​1716-1720. The construction was carried out, among other things, on the bulk territory reclaimed from the Neva.

The Second Winter Palace was located where the Hermitage Theater stands today. Interestingly, during the restructuring of 1783-1787, the private quarters of Peter I and Ekaterina Alekseevna on the first floor were carefully preserved.

Peter moved to the winter residence from his in 1720. And here in 1725 the first emperor of Russia died (28.01-8.02 according to the new style).

In 1732-1735, a third palace was built for Empress Anna Ioannovna. Designed by Francesco Rastrelli's father, Carlo Bartolomeo. It was much more sweeping than the Peter's residence. And it was located mainly on the other side of the Winter Canal, closer to the Admiralty.

The era of Elizabeth Petrovna

At the time of Peter's daughter, who adored luxury, outbuildings and service buildings were attached to the palazzo with might and main. The complex grew beyond any master plan. And more and more like some Istanbul Topkapi, rather than a European residence. As a result, they decided that this was unworthy of a great empire and set about building a new palace.

The complex that has survived to this day was built according to the project of the architect Rastrelli son. It was laid down under the Empress Elizabeth Petrovna (1754) and basically completed (1762) only under Catherine II.

The surviving building is considered the fifth Winter Palace. Since at the time of its construction for the residence of Elizabeth Petrovna, a fourth was built - a wooden one.

It was located a little further away: on Nevsky Prospekt, between Moika and Malaya Morskaya Street. The construction of the temporary residence was carried out in the spring and summer of 1755 and was completed by November.

The queen's private quarters were located along the Moika. The windows overlooked, and to this day standing on the other side of the river.

The wing in which the heir to the throne lived, the future Peter III, with his wife Ekaterina Alekseevna (future Catherine II), stretched out along Malaya Morskaya Street.

Under Catherine II

In 1764, Empress Catherine II bought the collection that laid the foundation for the Hermitage's world-famous collection. Initially, the canvases were placed in the private chambers of the palace and were not available for inspection. And the name came from the French l’Ermitage, that is, “secluded”.

• Completion, alteration (Catherine did not favor the "golden" splendor of her predecessor) and the expansion of the palace continued throughout the reign of Catherine the Great (1762-1796)

Little has survived from the time of this empress - under Nicholas I, the interiors were thoroughly rebuilt. The only evidence of the preferences and tastes of the brilliant Catherine's era is

• magnificent loggias of Raphael, created according to the exact copies that arrived from papal palace in the Vatican;
• and the magnificent Great Palace Church, exactly recreated by Stasov after the fire of 1837.

A special building for the Loggias along the Winter Canal was created by Giacomo Quarenghi.

Elizabeth moved into her new winter residence long before finishing. But the building was "commissioned" by its heir, Emperor Peter II. Settled in new apartments in April 1762.

The enfilade of ceremonial halls occupied the entire length of the northern, Neva facade of the palace. And in the north-eastern risalit there is the Embassy or Jordan stairs. Opposite it, on the Neva, on Epiphany, according to tradition, a hole was cut through, in which water was consecrated.

Empress Catherine II did not really like the Winter Palace, like her predecessor. Rastrelli was immediately dismissed from business, and the work was entrusted to the architect Jean-Baptiste Vallin-Delamote. In 1764-1775, in collaboration with Yuri Matveyevich Felten, he created the Small Hermitage.

In which Catherine arranged private evenings and kept art collections. For walks, the empress arranged the Hanging Garden.

The luxurious Pavilion Hall at the end of the building overlooking the Neva was created later, in the middle of the 19th century, according to the project of Andrei Ivanovich Stackenschneider. Today it houses the famous clock in the form of a peacock and a unique ancient Roman mosaic.

From Paul to Nicholas II

Paul I was forced to live in the Winter Palace while his own residence, the Mikhailovsky Castle, was being built. But the two subsequent emperors: Alexander I and Nicholas I, lodged mainly here.

The first loved to travel and therefore did not see much difference where he lived. The second literally personified himself with the power of Russia. And he could not think of living in any other, smaller palace. Most of the surviving front and residential interiors date back to the reign of Nicholas I.

In the first third of the 19th century, according to the project of the architect Karl Ivanovich Rossi, the Military Gallery was created in memory of the heroes of the Patriotic War, and a number of other premises.

1837 fire and rebuilding

By the way, it was under Nicholas I, in 1837, that a grand fire occurred in the Winter Palace. After which the residence was restored literally from scratch. The tragic incident happened shortly before Christmas, on the evening of December 17 (29 New Style). The cause is believed to have been a fire in the chimney.

During the restoration, innovative construction solutions were used for that time. In particular, iron beams in the ceilings, and new chimney systems. And, perhaps, that is why the palace after the repair was preserved in its unchanged appearance - the ceremonial interiors turned out to be too luxurious ...

The restoration work was led by: Vasily Petrovich Stasov and Alexander Pavlovich Bryullov. By the way, the brother of the famous painter who wrote the epic "The Last Day of Pompeii." More than 8,000 people worked daily at the construction site.

Most of the halls received a different decoration in the style of a mature Russian Empire. Interiors have become much more luxurious than before.

Under Alexander II, the residential halls of the Winter Palace were thoroughly altered, arranging them in the fashion of that time.

The next two kings preferred not to live here. Alexander III and his family left the city for security reasons. And when he left the Grand Gatchina Palace, he stopped at Anichkov Palace on Nevsky Prospekt.

His eldest son, Nicholas II, mainly used the Winter Palace for sumptuous balls. Although the personal apartments of the last emperor have been preserved on the second floor of the western suite.

Foreign sovereigns who visited St. Petersburg usually lived here as in a hotel. Entire suites of halls were assigned to the needs of the next guest. The grand dukes also lodged in the imperial residence - there was enough space for everyone.

Winter Palace: halls

The interiors were often rebuilt in accordance with the wishes of the new kings, but the main halls, the main purpose of which was to throw dust in the eyes of foreign sovereigns and envoys, as well as their own subjects, remained unchanged.

The Jordanian staircase, recreated on the site of the Rastrelli Embassy, ​​received a luxurious design: a marble balustrade, giant double columns of Serdobol granite on the second floor, a picturesque plafond "Olympus" with an area of ​​200 m2 on the ceiling by the Italian painter Gasparo Diziani...

Neva front suite

It begins with the Nikolaevsky anteroom, followed by the stately and austere Great Nikolaevsky Hall. This is the largest room in the palace, its area is 1103 m2! Today, the premises are used mainly for exhibitions.

Behind the Nikolaevsky are the Concert Hall and (with windows to the Neva) the famous Malachite Drawing Room. The interior, which was decorated with 125 pounds of Ural malachite, was created by the architect Alexander Bryullov, who once opened the personal suite of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Nicholas I.

Here they dressed for the wedding and Alexandra Feodorovna, the bride of Nicholas II. Festive family breakfasts were also held here before the family moved to the Alexander Palace.

The following rooms were subsequently used as residential by Nicholas II - the apartments of the last emperor were located on the second floor opposite the Admiralty building.

Eastern enfilade

The front rooms (from the Jordan Stairs perpendicular to the Neva) are opened by the Field Marshal's Hall, created even before the fire of 1837 according to the project of Auguste Montferrand (author of St. Isaac's Cathedral). It is decorated with portraits of great Russian commanders: Suvorov, Rumyantsev, Kutuzov.

Next comes the Petrovsky or Small Throne, and behind it the majestic Armorial Hall, created by Stasov in 1837. On the left are: the Military Gallery of 1812 and the luxurious George or Great Throne Hall, all lined with Carrara marble.

Practical information

Address: Russia, St. Petersburg, Dvortsovaya emb. 32
Opening hours: 10:30 - 18:00: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday; 10.30-21.00: Wednesday, Friday. Monday is a day off
Ticket prices: 600 rubles - an adult (400 - for citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus), children under 18 years old, students and pensioners of the Russian Federation are free!
Official website: www.hermitagemuseum.org

You can get to the Winter Palace on foot from the Admiralteyskaya or Nevsky Prospekt metro stations: 5-10 minutes: look.

The Winter Palace is without a doubt one of the most famous sights of St. Petersburg.

The Winter Palace that we see today is actually the fifth building built on this site. Its construction lasted from 1754 to 1762. Today it reminds us of the splendor of the once popular Elizabethan Baroque and is, apparently, the crowning achievement of Rastrelli himself.

As I said, there were five Winter Palaces in total on this site, but the entire period of change was invested in a modest 46 years between 1708, when the first was erected and 1754, when construction began on the fifth.

The first Winter Palace was built by Peter the Great for himself and his family a small house in the Dutch style

In 1711, the wooden building was rebuilt into a stone one, and this event was timed to coincide with the wedding of Peter I and Catherine. In 1720, Peter I and his family moved from the summer residence to the winter one, in 1723 the Senate settled in the palace, and in 1725 the life of the great emperor ended here

The new empress, Anna Ioannovna, considered that the Winter Palace was too small for the imperial person, and instructed Rastrelli to rebuild it. The architect offered to buy the nearby houses and demolish them, which was done, and on the site of the old palace and the demolished buildings, a new, third in a row, Winter Palace soon grew up, the construction of which was finally completed by 1735. On July 2, 1739, the solemn betrothal of Princess Anna Leopoldovna to Prince Anton-Ulrich took place in this palace, and after the death of the empress, the young emperor John Antonovich was transferred here, who lived here until November 25, 1741, when Elizaveta Petrovna took power into her own hands. The new empress was also dissatisfied with the appearance of the palace, so on January 1, 1752, a couple more houses near the residence were bought out, and Rastrelli added a couple of new buildings to the palace. At the end of 1752, the empress considered that it would be nice to increase the height of the palace from 14 to 22 meters. Rastrelli proposed to build a palace in another place, but Elizabeth refused, so the palace was again completely dismantled, and on June 16, 1754, the construction of a new Winter Palace began in its place.

The Fourth Winter Palace was temporary: Rastrelli built it in 1755 on the corner of Nevsky Prospekt and the embankment of the Moika River during the construction of the fifth. The Fourth Palace was demolished in 1762, when the construction of the Winter Palace, which we are used to seeing on Petersburg Palace Square today, was completed. The Fifth Winter Palace became the most tall building in the city, but the Empress did not live to see the completion of construction - Peter III admired the almost finished palace on April 6, 1762, although he did not live to see the completion of internal finishing work. The emperor was killed in 1762, and the construction of the Winter Palace was finally completed under Catherine II. The Empress removed Rastrelli from work, and instead hired Betsky, under whose leadership the Throne Hall appeared from the side of Palace Square, in front of which a waiting room was built - the White Hall, behind which the dining room was located. The Light Room adjoined the dining room, and behind it was the Front Bedchamber, which later became the Diamond Room. In addition, Catherine II took care of creating a library in the palace, an imperial study, a boudoir, two bedrooms and a dressing room, in which the empress built a toilet seat from the throne of one of her lovers, the Polish king Poniatowski =) By the way, it was under Catherine II that the Winter Palace appeared the famous winter garden, the Romanov Gallery and St. George's Hall

In 1837, the Winter Palace survived a serious test - a major fire, which took more than three days to extinguish. At this time, all the palace property was taken out and stacked around the Alexander Column

Another incident in the palace occurred on February 5, 1880, when Khalturin detonated a bomb to kill Alexander II, but only the guards were injured as a result - 8 people died and 45 were injured of varying severity

On January 9, 1905, a well-known event took place that turned the tide of history: a peaceful workers' demonstration was shot in front of the Winter Palace, which served as the beginning of the Revolution of 1905-1907. The walls of the palace never again saw persons of imperial blood - during the First World War there was a military hospital here, during the February Revolution the building was occupied by troops who went over to the side of the rebels, and in July 1917 the Winter Palace was occupied by the Provisional Government. During the October Revolution, on the night of October 25-26, 1917, the Red Guard, revolutionary soldiers and sailors surrounded the Winter Palace, guarded by a garrison of junkers and a women's battalion, and by 2:10 am on October 26, after the famous volley from the cruiser "Aurora" , stormed the palace and arrested the Provisional Government - the troops guarding the palace surrendered without a fight

In 1918, part of the Winter Palace, and in 1922 the rest of the building was transferred to the State Hermitage. and Palace Square with the Alexander Column and the General Staff building form one of the most beautiful and amazing ensembles in the entire post-Soviet space

The Winter Palace is designed in the form of a square, the facades of which overlook the Neva, the Admiralty and Palace Square, and in the center of the main facade there is a front arch

Winter Garden at the Winter Palace)

In the southeast of the second floor is the legacy of the fourth Winter Palace - the Great Church, built under the leadership of Rastrelli

At the disposal of the Winter Palace today there are more than a thousand different rooms, the design of which is striking and creates the impression of an unforgettable solemnity and magnificence.

The exterior design of the Winter Palace, according to Rastrelli's plan, was to architecturally connect it with the ensemble of the Northern Capital.

The splendor of the palace is emphasized by vases and sculptures installed along the entire perimeter of the building above the cornice, once carved from stone, which later, at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, were replaced with metal counterparts.

Today the building of the Winter Palace houses the Small Hermitage.

Small photo selection

On October 10, 1894, Her Highness Princess Alice of Hesse arrived by ordinary train to Livadia, accompanied by Their Imperial Highnesses Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich and Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna (her elder sister). The imminent arrival of the bride of the Heir was caused by the critical state of health of Emperor Alexander III, who was supposed to bless the marriage of the Tsarevich. The engagement itself took place in Coburg on April 8 of the same year.
M. Zichy

On November 14, 1894, the Imperial Wedding took place in the Cathedral of the Imperial Winter Palace.

L. Tuxen

After the solemn ceremony, the August couple went to the Imperial Anichkov Palace, under the protection of the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna.

On November 18, the newlyweds Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna and Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich, who got married on July 25, visited the Private Rooms in Zimny. Then the final decision was made to move to Zimniy.

The arrangement of the future Apartment was entrusted to the new Palace architect A.F. Krasovsky. The place for it was chosen on the second floor of the northwestern part of the palace. The alteration was supposed to be the former chambers of Empress Maria Feodorovna, previously owned by the wife of Sovereign Nikolai Pavlovich. It should be noted that the magnificent Bryullov and Stackenschneider interiors under the Emperors Alexander II and Alexander III did not undergo significant changes. The abundance of gilding, French silk and the museum value of the canvas did not meet the taste of the Tsarevich and Her Highness. N. I. Kramskoy and S. A. Danini were appointed to help Academician A. F. Krasovsky for the reconstruction of these chambers. According to the results of the announced competition for best project interiors of the new Imperial chambers, the team included academician M. E. Messmacher, architect D. A. Kryzhanovsky and academician N. V. Nabokov. Carpentry and art works were performed in the best workshops of F. Meltzer, N. Svirsky and Steingolts.

Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna took an active part in the arrangement of the Imperial private quarters. She negotiated with both architects and artists. All direct executors of the order were obliged to reckon with her instructions from the Highest.

In the spring of 1895, the interiors of the new Imperial private chambers were finally approved in all details. The decoration was carried out as quickly as possible, and already on December 16, 1895, after participating in the New Year's Eve charity bazaar, which took place in the halls of the Imperial Hermitage, the August couple visited their fully finished chambers in the palace.

Before you begin to get acquainted with the Apartment, you should get some idea about the Imperial Winter Palace. According to a note of 1888, the total area of ​​the palace with the Imperial Hermitage and the building of the Imperial Hermitage Theater occupied 20,719 square meters. soot or 8 2/3 tithes, the actual building of the palace - 4,902 sq. sazh., main yard - 1,912 sq. soot; the residential floors of the palace contained 1,050 chambers, the floor area of ​​​​which was 10,219 square meters. soot (4 1/4 des.), and the volume is up to 34,500 cu. soot; in these chambers 6,333 sq. soot parquet floors: 548 - marble, 2,568 - slab, 324 - board, 512 - asphalt, mosaic, brick, etc.; doors - 1,786, windows - 1,945, 117 stairs with 3,800 steps, 470 different stoves (after the fire of 1837, heating was installed in the palace according to the method of General Amosov: the stoves were in the basement, and the rooms were heated with warm air through pipes) ; the roof surface of the palace is 5,942 sq. soot; on the roof there are 147 dormer windows, 33 glass skylights, 329 chimneys with 781 smoke; the length of the cornice surrounding the roof - 927 sazhens, and the stone parapet - 706 sazhens; lightning rods - 13. The cost of maintaining the palace extended up to 350 thousand rubles. per year with 470 employees.

Plan:

Malachite living room. Anticipated the Private Quarters of Their Majesties. It was part of the Parade Neva enfilade. Here the ancient ceremonies of the Royal House were held, courtiers were received, relatives gathered, numerous Councils of committees headed by Her Majesty met. During court balls, Their Majesties rested here in seclusion. From here began the solemn exits of Their Majesties.

Her Majesty's Salon or Her Majesty's First Living Room. This room, decorated in the Empire style, was intended for the reception of the ladies-in-waiting of the Court. The discreet decoration was made by the masters G. Botta, A. Zabelin and the painter D. Molinari. Furniture by the workshop of N. F. Svirsky.

Her Majesty's Silver Drawing Room, or Her Majesty's Second Living Room. Living room in Louis XVI style. It was intended for the receptions of Her Majesty's ladies-in-waiting and the ladies of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as for the rest of Her Majesty. The ladies on duty were also there. Her Majesty, who possessed a good soprano, often played music with her entourage in this drawing room. Being a passionate collector of French glass from Galle and Daum, Her Majesty placed the best examples here.

Her Majesty's Office. Attention is drawn to the especially respectful attitude towards the memory of the former owners of the chambers on the part of Her Majesty. Thus, a portrait by Vigée-Lebrun of the first August mistress, Empress Elizaveta Alekseevna, was installed over Her Majesty's desk. A small podium behind screens in the northwest corner of the Cabinet served observation platform for admiring the views of Northern Palmyra.

Bedroom of Her Majesty. The modest room of the August spouses, with children's furniture, which belonged to Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna. French chintz is widely used in decoration.

Dressing room of Her Majesty. Made in the style of Louis XVI.

Boudoir of Her Majesty. Adjoined directly to the Cabinet of His Majesty. Designed in restrained Gothic style.

Concluding our acquaintance with the chambers of Her Majesty, I would like to say that during the stay of Their Majesties in the palace, these rooms were filled with a great variety of flowers and greenery. Countless vases, pots, flowerpots of various shapes and sizes with roses, orchids, lilies, cyclamens, azaleas, hydrangeas and violets filled the apartment with subtle scents.

Office of His Majesty. Made in the Gothic style. His Majesty, in memory of his journey through the countries of the Middle and Far East, placed here many art objects from China, Japan and India. All items were selected and arranged by hand. By the way, the Sovereign understood the culture of Asia, sent an expedition to Tibet, collected a collection of Japanese Shung engravings, unique for Russia (which disappeared in 1918), and even had a small tattoo.

Valet.

The White Dining Room of Their Majesties, or the Small Dining Room of Their Majesties. Made in the style of Louis XVI. The walls were decorated with Russian tapestries of the 18th century. Illuminated by a musical chandelier of English work.

Mauritanian. It was intended for the rest of the courtiers during the Grand Imperial balls. In normal times, it was used as the State Dining Room of Their Majesties.

His Majesty's Library. The only surviving room in Their Majesties' Apartment. Done in the Gothic style. As in the Cabinet of His Majesty, carpentry work was done by the workshops of N. F. Svirsky. The emblems of the Royal House and the House of the Dukes of Hesse were placed on the mantelpiece. Their Majesties were passionate bibliophiles, subsidized a number of literary and artistic publications (including the famous Diaghilev's magazine "The World of Art"), and had their own bookmarks. The library served as the official Reception and Front Office of His Majesty. At the same time, she was the most favorite room of the August couple. Here Their Majesties had breakfast, played music, read aloud, sorted out new books, played board games, had a snack in the evenings after the theater, or a bath, played with the children.

Rotunda. front hall Imperial Palace, in which buffets were served during balls, and in normal times the little Grand Duchesses went roller-skating there.

Small church.

Billiard room of His Majesty.

Adjutant of His Majesty. It was intended for duty under His Majesty.

On the first floor, exactly under the Personal Half of Their Majesties, the children's rooms of Their Imperial Highnesses were arranged. The rooms were decorated in modern style.

Visitors arriving at the palace on official business entered the Emperor's apartments through the western, Saltykovsky, entrance.

Own Entrance Of Their Imperial Majesties.

Nearly nine years of life were given by Their Majesties to the Apartment in the Imperial Winter Palace. From the summer of 1904, Their Majesties appeared here only on the days of official receptions. The main residence was the Imperial Alexander Palace in Tsarskoye Selo. In 1904, the last high society ball in the Empire was given. In 1915, in the Ceremonial Enfilades, the Empress arranged an infirmary for the lower ranks.

Summing up this acquaintance, you should know that all these interiors have not been preserved. Partially surviving exceptions: Rotunda, Mauritanian, Malachite, Small dining room, His Majesty's Library.

However, there is an "Inventory of Things Belonging to Their Imperial Majesties and Stored in the Private Rooms in the Winter Palace", compiled by Nikolai Nikolaevich Dementyev, Chief Caretaker of Room Property in the Imperial Winter Palace and the Imperial Hermitage, who held this position from 1888 to 1917. This inventory is distinguished by an accurate fixation of the location items and their details.

As an epilogue:
After the fall of the Monarchy, Their Imperial Majesties' Own Half was opened to the public. In 1918 the palace was plundered by the Bolsheviks.
End of 1918.
Office of the Tsar-Liberator.


Dressing room of Her Majesty.


Her Majesty's Office.


Rooms of the Grand Duchess Tatyana Nikolaevna.

PS - thanks to Vladimir (GUVKh) for the idea to make this post.