Palace Square is the main square of St. Petersburg. Several famous city landmarks are located in and around the square. The Hermitage, St. Petersburg’s most famous museum, is located on Palace Square. Various interesting events are often held here.
Palace Square is certainly a must-see for tourists. As part of the historic center of St. Petersburg, the square is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The most significant buildings in the square are the Winter Palace, the Guards Corps Headquarters Building, the General Staff Building with its famous Triumphal Arch, and the Alexander Column. Slightly north of Palace Square is the New Hermitage, with its Atlantean statues at the entrance, and the Hermitage Theater.
From Palace Square, heading south, you’ll reach the Admiralty building, and then, through the Alexander Garden, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Senate Square, and the Bronze Horseman monument. (The distance from Palace Square is approximately 750 meters.) You can also walk from the Winter Palace to the monument and cathedral along the Neva embankment. High-speed hydrofoils depart from the pier near the square for Peterhof.
After visiting Palace Square, be sure to walk to the Neva embankment. It offers excellent views of the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Spit of Vasilievsky Island. It’s one of the most beautiful spots in the city.
You can find the location of Palace Square on the city’s tourist map.
How to get to Palace Square
The easiest way to get to Palace Square in St. Petersburg is by metro. The nearest metro station, Admiralteyskaya, is located approximately 200 meters from the square. From the station, walk along Malaya Morskaya Street to Nevsky Prospekt and turn left toward the Admiralty. Palace Square will be on your right.
You can also reach the square from the Nevsky Prospekt and Gostiny Dvor metro stations along Nevsky Prospekt (approximately 800 meters) or from the Vasileostrovskaya metro station across Palace Bridge (approximately 2.5 kilometers).
The nearest metro station is Admiralteyskaya. Learn more about how to get to Palace Square.
Winter Palace
The Winter Palace is the oldest building on Palace Square. Construction of the palace, designed by B.F. Rastrelli, began in 1754 and was completed in 1762. At the time, the Winter Palace was the tallest residential building in St. Petersburg. At the time, the palace contained 1,500 rooms.
The palace has a simple rectangular shape. The richly decorated façade gives the building a solemn and recognizable appearance. The façade is adorned with columns, carved window frames, and statues. Inside, the palace features richly decorated halls.
Currently, the Winter Palace houses the largest museum in St. Petersburg, the Hermitage. The Hermitage Theater is also located next to the palace.
Alexander Column
The Alexander Column is one of the most famous monuments in St. Petersburg. It was erected in 1834 in the center of Palace Square by the architect Montferrand. The column commemorates the victory over Napoleon’s troops.
Construction of the column lasted from 1829 to 1834. The main part of the column was made from a single piece of pink granite. The granite block was quarried in Pyterlahti near Vyborg, Finland, and then transported to St. Petersburg. The total height of the structure is 47.5 meters. At the top of the column is a figure of an angel holding a cross in its left hand.
General Staff Building
The General Staff Building is located on the southeastern side of Palace Square. Construction lasted from 1819 to 1829. Architect Rossi oversaw construction. The central part of the building consists of two wings, which together form an arc with a total length of 580 meters.
The General Staff Building is known for its most prominent feature: the General Staff Arch. When designing the city’s main square, the architect Rossi decided to connect the two wings of the General Staff Building with a triumphal arch. The arch was built as the final detail in the composition of Palace Square. It also serves as a monument dedicated to the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812.
The arch is decorated with a sculptural composition consisting of a chariot pulled by six horses. The horses are restrained by two warriors dressed in Roman armor and armed with spears. A winged Nike stands in the chariot. In her right hand, the goddess holds a laurel wreath. The sculptural composition is a symbol of military glory. The triumphal arch of the General Staff Building was unveiled on October 24, 1828. The height of the General Staff Building Arch is 36 meters. The arch provides access to Nevsky Prospect (via Bolshaya Morskaya Street).
Also located nearby:
- The Admiralty building.
- The Bronze Horseman, a monument to Peter the Great.
- St. Isaac’s Cathedral.
Learn more about St. Petersburg.