The ensemble of the Palace Square in the northern capital is considered the hallmark of the city. This is a complex of architectural masterpieces united by an area of 8 hectares. Every tourist, arriving in St. Petersburg, must go to see the magnificent Winter Palace, walk through the Arc de Triomphe of the General Staff Building, see the Headquarters of the Guards Corps and take pictures against the backdrop of the Alexander Column.
The history of the Palace Square ensemble dates back to 1721, when Emperor Peter I ordered it to be included in the plans for the reconstruction of the city. The design of the square became possible after the final, already fifth, version of the restructuring of the Winter Palace. From 1754 to 1762, construction was carried out under the guidance of the famous Bartolomeo Rastrelli. This architect led many projects for the imperial family: the most beautiful palace in Peterhof, Catherine's in Tsarskoye Selo, St. Andrew's Cathedral in Kyiv, and in the city itself - Smolnymonastery. Rastrelli performed work for Elizabeth Petrovna, daughter of Peter I, but after her death he was fired and left Russia. However, the creations of the great master delight grateful descendants even now.
History of the Square
The entire ensemble of Palace Square was formed in its present form at the beginning of the 19th century. The name of the favorite place for walking tourists has changed several times. At first, the area behind the Winter Palace was a meadow overgrown with grass, called the Admir alteisky. Folk festivals and magnificent festivities were often held there. The place bore this name until 1772, although in some historical documents already in 1766 the square was called Palace, in honor of the Winter Palace located on its northern side.
After the assault during the revolution of 1917, the square was renamed in honor of the main organizer of the capture of the building - Moses Solomonovich Uritsky, who was killed at the entrance to the General Staff Building. From 1918 to 1944, Uritsky Square was the venue for parades, rallies and public events.
By order of the Soviet authorities, the historical names of twenty objects are returned in the city, including the square beloved by the city's residents. Since 1944, she again became the Palace.
Winter Palace
One of the brightest elements of the Palace Square ensemble is the Winter Palace. This is a long three-story building with a beautiful three-part through arch designed by Rastrelli, green with snow-white columns. The total area is 60,000 m2. Inside the building has 1,500 rooms, which are now occupied by the Hermitage.
During its existence, the palace underwent significant internal reconstructions, in 1837 a fire that lasted three days destroyed most of the building, in 1880 the palace was blown up by the revolutionary Kh alturin, who wanted to kill the emperor. The building was badly damaged during the Great Patriotic War. The restoration of the original appearance of the building took many years.
Headquarters
Another building of the Palace Square ensemble in St. Petersburg can be considered a masterpiece of the architectural genius of Karl Ivanovich Rossi - this is the General Headquarters with a beautiful Arc de Triomphe. It consists of two buildings located at an angle to each other. They are connected in the center by an arch overlooking Bolshaya Morskaya Street.
The total length of the building is 580 meters. Previously, there were three Ministries in the building: finance, military and foreign affairs. Now part of the premises is reserved for the exposition of the Hermitage Museum, but one wing still remains in the department of the Western Military District. The eastern part of the building faces the embankment of the Moika River. A large metal dome with inset glass is positioned above the library to better illuminate the room.
Arc de Triomphe
The main focus of the Rossi Palace Square ensemble is on the Arc de Triomphe, which is located in the center of the building. It consists of three parts, following each other at some distance. Tourists who enter the vault from the Bolshaya Morskaya Street do not at first realize all the greatness of the place,which is larger than Red Square in Moscow, but with each step into the shadow of the arch, the whole beauty of the palace, columns and surrounding buildings opens before them.
The arch is decorated with brown bas-reliefs. Particularly impressive is the upper part of the building with a luxurious chariot driven by two warriors dressed in Roman armor with spears in their hands. They drive six horses carrying the goddess of Glory with large wings on her back. She holds a laurel wreath in one hand and a standard in the other.
Alexander Column
The architectural ensemble of Palace Square would not be complete without a high column located in the center. If the construction of the arch was dedicated to the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812, then in the obelisk Nicholas I immortalized the memory of his brother Alexander I, who defeated Napoleon.
The idea to install a monument in the center was proposed by the architect of the Palace Square ensemble - Rossi, but he did not want to dedicate another monument to Tsar Peter. Emperor Nicholas I announced a competition for the best project in honor of his brother. The architect Auguste Montferrand understood that the obelisk should stand out in the center of the square, so it could not be small. He presented a project of an obelisk in the form of a granite pedestal with bas-reliefs. But Nicholas I did not like him. The emperor wished to see a tall column. Then the architect presented the second version of the monument, which was eventually installed in 1834.
Headquarters of the Guards Corps
Between the Winter Palace and the beautiful Main Buildingheadquarters, a small unsightly room was built for soldiers to undergo drill training, which spoiled the whole impression of the square. It was decided to demolish it and complete the architectural ensemble with another beautiful building. The headquarters of the Guards Corps was designed by the brother of the famous artist Karl Bryullov. Alexander Pavlovich Bryullov supervised the construction from 1837 to 1843. During this period, there was a fire in the Winter Palace, so at the same time the architect was engaged in the restoration of the building after the fire.
The main hall of the building with a smooth wall, decorated with bas-reliefs and columns, faces the square. For the holidays, now this part of the wall is decorated with panels dedicated to this event. The entrance to the building is in an alley.
Palace and Temple Ensemble of Cathedral Square
In Moscow, on the territory of the Kremlin, there is another beautiful square that catches the eye of all tourists. The history of the construction of the temple complex dates back to the 14th century, but the square acquired its current appearance only at the end of the 15th century. The restructuring was carried out by Italian architects: Aristotle Fioravanti, Pietro Antonio Solari, Bon Fryazin, etc.
Now you can admire the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, which consists of three parts. This is the pillar of the bell tower itself and the nearby Assumption Belfry and Filaret's Annex.
In the 15th century, the Assumption Cathedral designed by Aristotle Fioravanti appeared on the square. It took four years to build the temple.
From the south side of the square, the Archangel Cathedral flaunts, which was built according to the project of the Milanese architect Aleviz Fryazin at the beginning of the 16th century. The Annunciation Cathedral has access to the palace building, as it was built for the needs of the grand-ducal family.
Another architectural object of the square is the Faceted Chamber, which used to host meetings of boyars, and today - receptions of the President of the country. It was founded in 1487 by Mark Ruffo. The next building is the Patriarch's Chambers, which are connected to the five-domed Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles. There was a refectory and private chambers of the rulers.
Finishing the description of Cathedral Square, one cannot fail to mention another small architectural object - the Temple of the Deposition of the Robe, built by Pskov architects at the end of the 15th century.
