On Palace Embankment in St Petersburg, the Winter Palace is striking from the outside and vast within. Its green-and-white façade faces Palace Square; inside, grand staircases, gilded halls, high ceilings and chandeliers share the visit with the Hermitage’s art collection. The palace’s rooms carry traces of imperial ceremony and revolutionary change, so the building is as much a draw as the objects on display. Allow several hours to explore, or longer if you want to take your time. Step out toward the Neva for another view of the palace.
The palace on Palace Square
The Winter Palace faces Palace Square from Palace Embankment. Its green-and-white façade fills much of the view across the square, where people stop to take photographs or sit and rest. The open space is a destination in its own right, even if you do not go inside. Musicians sometimes perform outdoors, and the square has also hosted concerts and other events.
The building’s scale is easier to take in from the square than from inside its rooms. From there, you can see the palace as a whole before turning your attention to its details. Walk toward the Neva River for a different angle on the façade and a pause by the water.
Inside the Winter Palace
The interior is known for its high ceilings, grand staircases, chandeliers and gilded halls. Finely worked details appear throughout the rooms, and the preserved interiors give the palace itself a central place in the visit. Plan to look around as you move between exhibits: the decoration and architecture are part of what you came to see, not just the setting for the collection.
The palace’s rooms convey the scale and formality of imperial life. Its history also reaches into the revolutionary period, giving the building a connection to major changes in Russia. The material here does not provide a room-by-room route or identify particular galleries, so allow time to explore at your own pace rather than trying to cover a prescribed circuit.
The Hermitage collection
The Winter Palace is part of the Hermitage, bringing together the palace interiors and an extensive art collection. One account describes more than three million objects across 400 halls, a scale that can keep you exploring for much of the day. You may prefer to focus on the rooms and artworks that interest you rather than trying to see everything in one visit.
Crowds can build in the galleries, especially in popular rooms. An early start can give you a calmer beginning, and a break outside toward the Neva lets you return with time to spare. The museum recommends advance tickets, which can reduce time spent waiting to buy entry; compare the online price with the museum ticket office before booking.
FAQ
What is the Winter Palace?
It is a former imperial palace in St Petersburg and part of the Hermitage. The building’s decorated interiors and the museum’s art collection are both reasons to visit.
How long should you spend at the Winter Palace?
Allow several hours, or much of a day if you want to explore the palace and Hermitage collection at a slower pace.
Can you see the Winter Palace without a museum ticket?
Yes. You can walk around Palace Square, view the façade and look for outdoor musicians or events without entering the museum.
