Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg
The Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg is a brilliant Russian imperial building that impresses with its size, beauty and regal atmosphere. Attractively situated on the Neva River and with its great baroque architecture, the Winter Palace is located on the main square in St. Petersburg known as the Palace Square.
Part of the facade of the Winter Palace overlooks the river, another to the square and the Admiralty. The Winter Palace is considered the biggest tourist attraction in the former Russian capital, even more so now that the Winter Palace is also the root of 7 buildings, which are exposures of Hermitage.
Stained in green and white the facade of the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg stands on three floors. The palace is a real marvel of Baroque architecture and offers 1786 doors, near to 2000 windows and 1, 057 elegantly and lavishly decorated halls and rooms, many of which are now open for public visits.
Winter Palace serves alternately as a residence of Russian emperors. From July to November during the year of 1917 the Interim Government was held within its facilities. Around 1920 the Winter Palace transferred to state ownership of the Hermitage Museum, the same of whom it belongs to till this day. A major reconstruction of the Winter Palace was made between 1925 and 1926 with a plan that meets the requirements of the Hermitage.
The construction of the magnificent Winter Palace began in 1754 in the management of Russian King Peter I or also known as Peter the Great. Before that in 1712 Peter I ordered that he have built a small royal house in the Dutch style, which was located where the Hermitage Theatre is today. By 1837 the facade and construction of the winter palace changed almost continuously, but it is believed to had been finished to the required castle in 1762.
Winter Palace was built originally by the architect F. B. Rastreli for Empress Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great. Unfortunately, Elizabeth died before the palace was completed. Only Catherine II or also known as, Catherine the Great and its successors have had the opportunity to enjoy the opulent interior of the intended home of Elizabeth.
In 1763, Empress Catherine II fired Rastreli. She took a major reconstruction of the Winter Palace, and moved her chambers in the southwestern part of the castle. Overlooking the Palace Square was the location of the Throne Hall, and before that her parlor appeared before her of what she named, the White House. This was because of the White Hall so she even moved the dining room.
Until it was located the bright room. Catherine also created the winter garden and furthermore, the empress ordered the library, study, buduar, two bedrooms and a dressing room in the Winter Palace to be built.
In 1837 the Winter Palace was hit by a fire, which was uncontrollable for three days. Fortunately most of the values and assets of the castle were saved but the construction of the Winter Palace was seriously damaged. From the first floor only the stone walls and arches remained. This led many to believe that the restoration was a "lost cause".
Only after two years, thanks to architects Stasov and Bryulov the Winter Palace was rebuilt in 1839 and inaugurated. In 1844 Saint Petersburg was issued a decree that prohibits construction of buildings which exceed the height of the Winter Palace.
