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. Each tourist, arriving in St. Petersburg, is sure to go to see the magnificent Winter Palace, go through the Arc de Triomphe of the General Staff Building, inspect the Headquarters of the Guards Corps and take a picture against the backdrop of the Alexander Column.
The history of the Palace Square ensemble begins in 1721, when Emperor Peter I ordered it to be incorporated into plans for the reconstruction of the city. The design of the square became possible after the final, fifth in a row, 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 Kiev, and the Smolny Monastery in the city itself. Rastrelli did 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 current form at the beginning of the XIX 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 Admiralty. They often held festivities, lush festivities. This place had this name until 1772, although in some historical documents as early as 1766 the area was called Palace Square, in honor of the Winter Palace located on its northern side.
After the assault during the 1917 revolution, 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 in the city, historical names are returned to twenty objects, including the area beloved by the inhabitants of the city. Since 1944, she again became the Palace.
Winter Palace
One of the most striking elements of the ensemble of the Palace Square 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 m 2 . Inside the building has 1,500 rooms, which the Hermitage now occupies.
During its existence, the palace underwent significant internal restructuring, in 1837 a fire lasting three days destroyed most of the building, in 1880 a revolution was made in the palace by the revolutionary Khalturin, who wanted to kill the emperor. The construction suffered greatly during the Great Patriotic War. The restoration of the original appearance of the building took many years.
Main Headquarters
One more building of the ensemble of the Palace Square in St. Petersburg can be considered a masterpiece of the architectural genius of Karl Ivanovich Rossi - this is the General Headquarters with a beautiful Triumphal Arch. It consists of two buildings located at an angle to each other. Connects them in the center of the 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 remained 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 glass inserted is located above the library for better lighting of the room.
Triumphal Arch
The main emphasis in the ensemble of the Palace Square of Russia is placed on the Arc de Triomphe, which is located in the center of the building. It consists of three parts following each other at a certain distance. Tourists who enter the arch from the side of Bolshaya Morskaya Street, at first do not realize the greatness of the place, which is larger than the Red Square in Moscow, but with every step in the shadow of the arch, all the beauty of the palace, columns and surrounding buildings opens in front of them.
The arch is decorated with brown bas-reliefs. Particularly impressive is the upper part of the building with a luxurious chariot, which is ruled by two soldiers dressed in Roman armor with spears in their hands. They chase six horses carrying the goddess of Glory with large wings on their backs. She holds a laurel wreath in one hand, and a standard in the other.
Alexander Column
The architectural ensemble of the Palace Square would not be complete without a tall 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 erect some kind of monument in the center was proposed by the architect of the ensemble of Palace Square - Rossi, but he did not want to devote 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 cannot be small in size. He presented the project of the 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.
Guard Corps Headquarters
Between the Winter Palace and the beautiful General Staff Building, a small, unpretentious building was built for military training of soldiers, which spoiled the whole impression of the square. It was decided to demolish and finish 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 comes out onto the square with a flat wall decorated with bas-reliefs and columns. For the holidays, now this part of the wall is decorated with panels dedicated to this event. The entrance to the building is in the 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 XIV century, however, the square acquired its present appearance only at the end of the XV century. Restructuring was carried out by Italian architects: Aristotle Fioravanti, Pietro Antonio Solari, Bon Fryazin, etc.
Now you can admire the bell tower of Ivan the Great, consisting of three parts. This is the pillar of the bell tower and the Assumption belfry and the Filaretova extension located nearby.
In the 15th century, the Assumption Cathedral designed by Aristotle Fioravanti appeared on the square. It took four years to build a temple.
On the south side of the square is the Arkhangelsk Cathedral, which was built according to the project of Milan 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 the boyars, and today - receptions of the president of the country. It was founded in 1487 by Mark Ruffo. The next building is the Patriarchal Chambers, which are connected to the five-domed Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles. There was the refectory and personal chambers of the rulers.
Concluding the description of the Cathedral Square, one cannot fail to mention another small architectural object - the Cathedral of the Deposition of the Robe, built by Pskov architects at the end of the 15th century.