The 1837 fire destroyed almost all of the original interior; only the Jordan Staircase and the Small Church remain as they were designed by Rastrelli.
The Palace contains over 1,500 rooms, nearly 2,000 windows, and 1,786 doors.
During World War I, parts of the palace were converted into a military hospital.
The color of the palace has changed several times throughout its history, appearing red, yellow, and salmon pink before settling on its current mint green.
The palace holds a collection of over 12,000 paintings and 600,000 graphic works.
The floor of the Malachite Room features 2,000 kilograms of malachite.
The roof of the palace is adorned with 176 sculptures and vases, acting as an ornamental screen.
The building was the site of the 1917 storming during the October Revolution, a pivotal moment in Russian history.
The Winter Palace serves as the centerpiece of the State Hermitage Museum complex in St. Petersburg. Designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, this Elizabethan Baroque building served as the primary residence of the Russian Tsars from 1732 until 1917. The complex houses over three million items, ranging from prehistoric artifacts to modern European art. Its architecture features a signature two-tone green and white facade with extensive gilded detailing. The interior contains the Jordan Staircase, one of the few original Rastrelli interiors that survived a major 1837 fire. It is located on the bank of the Neva River, flanking the southern edge of Palace Square. The palace's current operations are managed as part of the broader Hermitage Museum collection.
The view of the Palace Square from the main archway or the interior Jordan Staircase.
Prioritize specific wings or eras, as attempting to see the entire collection in a single day is impossible.
Check the Hermitage website for online ticket pre-purchase to avoid long queues at the on-site kiosks.
Use the museum's mobile app or interactive maps to locate specific masterpieces, as the layout is labyrinthine.
Trying to view the entire museum in one visit; wearing uncomfortable shoes.
Closed on Mondays and major public holidays; typically operates on a split-shift schedule on Thursdays.
Large backpacks and umbrellas must be left in the cloakroom; avoid touching displays.
