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Oh I so agree with the last post. I listen to Palace Winter day in day out right now. Soooo good their music - getting right into my brain with that waving, flowing, dreamy rhythm but with real pace to it. Brilliant! Maybe I should move to Copenhagen so I can see them (and Afenginn) play a few times a year.

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This is the first band that have excited me in a long time. Searing dreamy vocals against a stunning backwash of irresistible hooks and subtle harmonies. Soft Machine is simply wonderful and the finale of Positron a perfect end to a great set. I can't wait for the imminent album.

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Visiting Vienna

Sisi Museum & Hofburg tour

If you want to plunge into the world of courtly life, love and even lavatories, you’re in the right place with a look inside the Hofburg complex.

• Sisi Museum
• Imperial Apartments
• Silver Collection (currently closed for renovations)
• Everything from baths to baby shoes
• Particularly recommended for fans of Empress Elisabeth
• Book a guided tour * of the Hofburg area
• Hofburg overview
• Schönbrunn Palace
• Tours in Vienna

What’s on the tour?

(The outside of the apartments)

Although the wider Hofburg area now features numerous separate institutions, your first address for seeing inside the imperial complex itself should be a tour of the Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments.

A single ticket gets you into the locations in the main buildings at the heart of the Hofburg.

• The Sisi Museum features the life, clothes, and personal possessions of Sisi (Empress Elisabeth): the famous wife of Emperor Franz Joseph
• The Kaiserappartements Imperial Apartments are filled with historical fittings and furnishings. This is where Franz Joseph and Elisabeth lived and worked

The Silberkammer Imperial Silver Collection would normally form part of the tour with its wide range of precious porcelain and various household items from Habsburg times. However, renovation work means it’s closed for the foreseeable future (at the time of writing).

Is the tour worth it?

I think so.

Selected exhibits are, of course, priceless in terms of historical value. (You do not want to risk some of those glasses in a dishwasher.)

But even if you care little for the history or origin of the furniture and other items on display, you do get a good, big-picture impression of imperial life in the 19th century simply through what you see.

Elisabeth and Franz Joseph are interesting characters in their own right, and the contrasts between the two provide an intriguing background to your visit.

The tour also indirectly provides insights into the crushing pressures of sitting on top of the social and political ladder, the almost-depressing extravagance of court, and the tragically all-too-human weaknesses of those who would set themselves apart from the rest of us.

Tickets & visitor tips

(Sisi Museum, Michaelerkuppel, entrance; © Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H., Severin Wurnig)

At the time of writing, basic admission costs €19.50 for the self-guided tour for an adult, with the usual reductions. Rather kindly, your ticket includes an audio guide. Vienna Pass holders get in once for free (read my review of this sightseeing pass ).

Some further tips:

• For deeper insight into what you see or a wider Hofburg experience, consider these guided options *
• Get there early and think about getting your tickets in advance online. It can all get busy: particularly the Sisi Museum which has some narrow passages in it
• It took me four hours to get round all three areas when the Silberkammer was open. But I listened to just about everything on the audio guide and read almost every written information So you can probably get round in half that time

(I may have skipped a few porcelain plates at some point, but, in my defence, they had an awful lot of them).

• Display labels and information are all in English and German. The audio guide provides interesting background information and little bonus bits of trivia
• The numbers to plug into your audio guide appear in large print with a picture of the device next to it. The smaller numbers in any display cabinets refer to index cards somewhere nearby that tell you what you’re looking at
• If you enjoy the Hofburg insights into life as an emperor or empress, then other tours of historical buildings might interest you.
• In particular, consider a similar tour over at Schönbrunn Palace. You get less porcelain and crockery but a lot more interior decoration and the added bonus of landscaped gardens to walk around afterwards

How to get to the Hofburg

(The domed entrance on Michaelerplatz)

The Hofburg is a big place, largely free of vehicles. So you may have a short walk from all these public transport stops. But since that walk takes you through wonderful historical architecture or landscaped parks, that’s probably a good thing.

Indeed, the Hofburg is a major point on my suggested walking tour route for the city centre.

The ticket counter and starting place for the tours lie beneath the huge dome at the impressive Michaelerplatz entranceway (pictured above) at the northeastern end of the Hofburg complex.

Subway: Station Herrengasse (U3 and your best choice), Volkstheater (U2/U3) or Stephansplatz (U3/U1)

Tram: 1, 2, D or 71 to Burgring or 1, 2, D, 71, 46 and 49 to Ring/Volkstheater

Bus: 1A or 2A to Michaelerplatz (the best option) or 48A to Ring/Volkstheater

Address: Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Vienna | Website

Winter Palace – A Paragon of Russian Beauty (History & Travel Tips)

The pinnacle of Russian imperial heritage, the Winter Palace is an icon that stretches over 700 ft along the Neva River in the second largest city of Russia . It is said that simply taking a tour through this castle is like preparing to experience an immersive tour through the heart of a great European empire. It is a monument reminiscent of the Golden Age of the Empire, and here’s all that you need to know about it:

Table of Contents

• 1.0.1 Where is Winter Palace Located?
• 1.0.2 When was Winter Palace Built? Who Build It?
• 1.0.3 When is The Best Time to Visit the Castle?
• 1.0.4 What Other Monuments are Located Nearby?
• 2.1 Construction & Early Years
• 2.2 Expansion
• 2.3 Under Anna Ivanovna
• 2.4 Elizabeth the Undertaker
• 2.5 Layers of Succession
• 2.6 The Fire of 1837 & Later Years
• 3 Current Times
• 4 Interesting Winter Palace Facts
• 5.1 How to get to Winter Palace?
• 5.2 Ticket Prices, Visiting Hours & Travel Tips
• 5.3.1 Up to Date Information
• 5.3.2 Some words of advice and tips: 
• 5.3.3 Quick Video Tour of The Main Winter Palace Areas

.ugb-cc08ac3 .ugb-blockquote__quote{fill:#000000 !important;width:42px !important;height:42px !important}.ugb-cc08ac3 .ugb-blockquote__text{color:#d21e1e} The art collection in the Hermitage museum includes fine works by famous artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Monet, and Renoir, among many others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is winter palace located.

Winter Palace is situated on the bank of the Neva River in St. Petersburg, Russia.

When was Winter Palace Built? Who Build It?

The palace dates back to 1711 when architect Domenico Trezzini constructed the earliest version of the palace for Peter I of Russia . A second rendition was made in 1721 by architect Georg Mattarnovy. A final third was designed by Trezzini after Peter’s death in 1728.

When is The Best Time to Visit the Castle?

The best time to visit the castle is the warm summer months between May and September when you can enjoy the pleasant weather as a cherry on top of the picturesque sites. However, visiting during winter has its charm as you get to witness a snow-covered winter wonderland, and also avoid the bustling crowd of peak tourist season.

What Other Monuments are Located Nearby?

The entire city of St. Petersburg is an ode to Slavic history, with numerous significant sites. Some of the other monuments you can visit in St. Petersburg include Saint Alexander Nevsky church, Ushkov Memorial, and the Triumphal Victory Arch.

FOR HISTORY | BEAUTIFUL IMAGES | INTERESTING FACTS | TRAVEL TIPS

Early History

Construction & early years.

The castle came into being as a residence for Emperor Peter I, who enacted a mass movement toward westernization. He wanted to establish a modernized European-style empire, reimagining and updating the traditional Russian Tsardom. 

The architectural style developed for the construction of the Winter Palace and other such sites in the city was largely inspired by European styles, particularly the Flemish Renaissance, and came to be known as ‘Petrine Baroque’. 

The early structure of the palace was a humble residence consisting of two floors under a roof of slate, designed by renowned architect Trezzini . A decade later, the emperor updated the castle, with architect Mattarnovy , to have three stories supported by columns. The emperor passed away in this residence in 1725. He was succeeded by first his widow, Catherine the First, and then his grandson, Peter II . 

Soon after his grandfather’s passing, Peter II greatly expanded the palace by re-engaging Trezzini, following the characteristic Petrine Baroque style. 

This third palace was completed in 1728; but soon after the capital city was moved from St. Petersburg to Moscow due to the shifting of the Imperial Court out of the city. After Peter II died, the Duchess of Courland and niece to Peter I, Anna Ivanovna , inherited the throne. She re-instated the Imperial Court in the Winter Palace, bringing the city back to its former capital status.

Under Anna Ivanovna

Anna Ivanovna established her residence in the adjacent Apraksin Palace, which was redesigned and incorporated with the Winter Palace to form the fourth version of the palace, under architect Rastrelli. Anna introduced an atmosphere of grace and civilization to the castle. Plain furniture was replaced with mahogany and ebony pieces and tasteful interior decor. She also had an elegant gallery constructed, hosting her first ball at the location.

Elizabeth the Undertaker

After a coup, Anna’s successor Ivan VI was replaced by Peter I’s daughter Elizabeth. Rastrelli further expanded the palace under Elizabeth’s rule. She encouraged its construction because she perceived it as a symbol of prestige for the empire. An extravagant amount of money was spent on the palace, leading to a budget deficit and a financial burden on taxpayers. The palace was approaching its final stages of completion when Elizabeth passed away. 

Layers of Succession

Elizabeth was succeeded by Peter III, who was murdered and succeeded by Catherine the Great. She enlisted architects Quarenghi and Starov to further expand and renovate the palace. The opera house was replaced with apartment units for her family. Five of Rastrelli’s staterooms were reconstructed to establish the 3 expansive halls of the Neva enfilade. 

She also funded French architect Mothe constructing a new wing in the palace, a relatively modest space designed in contrast to the lavish and formal court, formally establishing what is now known as the Hermitage. The empress excessively invested in valuable art collections, filling up the halls of the Hermitage, eventually presenting the necessity for expansion. The third Winter Palace was demolished and replaced in the process. 

After the Empress’ death, her son Paul I took over the empire but moved from the Winter Palace to reside in the newer St. Michael’s Castle for security. He was murdered shortly after moving out of the palace and was succeeded by his son Alexander I, who further added to the palace’s art collection by purchasing pieces from the ex-Empress of France, Josephine . After Alexander I, his son Nicholas I took over and was responsible for several changes to the palace, reaching the set-up which is visible to visitors today.

The Fire of 1837 & Later Years

Under the reign of Nicholas I, a fire broke out in the palace due to an unknown cause. This took place during the reconstruction of the eastern staterooms as well as the Field Marshal’s Hall and the Small Throne Room, under architect de Montferrand . The architect is often blamed for the spread of the fire as he used wood to construct partition walls instead of stone which would have been sturdier and safer. These wooden walls covered unused fireplaces and their chimneys, along with the thin ventilation shafts, instigated the fire, which went unnoticed between the walls across the rooms until it was too late. 

Much of the palace’s contents were saved by being timely removed and tossed into the snow in the palace square. The three corridors leading to the Hermitage were ordered to be urgently destroyed to stop the spread of the fire, which saved the complex and its massive art collection. The fire did continue to burn for several days and caused great destruction to the interior.

Nicholas ordered immediate reconstruction, employing thousands of men to do the job using contemporary construction methods with sturdy metallic frameworks and iron girders. The workmen were pushed towards extreme labor, with many deaths reported … only to be immediately replaced. The Emperor converted the Hermitage into a public art gallery housing a well-curated assortment of the finest Renaissance art. The last emperor to reside in the castle was Alexander II, the site was used for official purposes following his assassination. The last major imperial event to take place in the palace was a ball to celebrate emperor Alexei I, after which the emperors abandoned the palace and St. Petersburg as a whole. 

Revisit More Historic Places Below or Read Further

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Current times.

In the 20th century, a peaceful demonstration calling for parliamentary rule took place in St. Petersburg but was suppressed by a mass shooting close to the Winter Palace. 

The Romanov dynasty periodically used the Palace for certain occasions such as the Romanov Tercentenary and as a hospital site for wounded soldiers from war to return to in the early 20th century. In the politically turbulent climate following failures in the war, the Winter Palace was once again the temporary center of government. Soon after, the Bolshevik army attacked the palace, arrested the government, and looted its resources.

Finally, in 1917, the palace was converted into a public museum as part of the Hermitage public museums. After the Russian Revolution, there was a directive to remove all symbols of imperialism from the palace; hence, much of the palace’s content was replaced. 

Nowadays, the palace is open to the public as part of one of the most popular museums in the world. The site hosts almost 3,500,000 visitors every year.

Interesting Winter Palace Facts

• The palace has been estimated to have a total of 1500 rooms and halls, 1886 doors, 117 staircases, and 1945 windows. Take a peak at some of the castle rooms that were built in medieval times.
• The art collection in the Hermitage museum includes fine works by famous artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Monet, and Renoir, among many others. 
• The palace was featured in the 1927 silent film ‘October’, based on the Russian Revolution. 
• It is said that if a visitor spends one minute looking at each exhibit in the Hermitage, it will take 11 whole years for them to look at all of them!
• The Hermitage Museum is the biggest art gallery in Russia.

Visiting Winter Palace – Tips and Tricks

The Winter Place is the crown jewel of Russian history and is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves castles. Here’s all you need to know about planning your trip:

How to get to Winter Palace?

From Moscow, the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg is approachable via bus, train, car, or air travel. The most recommended means of getting there is via train. You would board from Moskva Kurskaya railway terminal and get off at St, Petersburg Glavny after a 4-hour ride. From there, you can take the metro bus from the Ploshchad Vosstaniya terminal, from where the Palace Embankment is a 10-minute ride. The journey will cost you between €29 and €46 ($29-$46 USD) and take around 4.5 hours. 

Air travel is the fastest yet pretty complicated way to get to the palace. You can take the train to Vnukovo International Airport and take the flight to Pulkovo. From there, you can take a bus to Moskovskaya, from where you will board the subway to Nevsky Prospekt, from where the palace is a nearly 20-minute walk. This route will take you 4 hours and can cost you a minimum of around €30 ($29 USD), or more, depending on your flight. 

Ticket Prices, Visiting Hours & Travel Tips

Information was checked & updated on November 5, 2023.

Ticket pricing varies depending on the part of the palace complex you wish to access. A list of pricing according to locations is as follows:

Main Museum Complex – 500 RUB ($6 USD)

General Staff building –  500 roubles ($6 USD)

Winter Palace – 600 roubles ($ 6 USD)

Menshikov Palace – 600 roubles ($ 6 USD)

Staraya Derevnya Restoration and Storage Centre – 650 roubles ($7 USD)

Museum of the Imperial Porcelain Factory – 300 roubles ($3 USD)

The castle is open from 12 noon to 9:00pm in the evening Tuesday-Sunday. The Palace remains closed on Mondays as well as on Russian National Holidays, which take place on the 1st of January and the 9th of May.

How Long Will It Take to Tour Around?

In order to experience the expansive layout of the palace, including all its artifacts to the fullest, spending at least 3 hours at the site is recommended.

Up to Date Information

For up to date ticket prices and visiting hours visit the official website: https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/wps/portal/hermitage/explore/buildings/locations/building/B10

Some words of advice and tips: 

• Visiting the castle in the evening or at night is much recommended as it will allow you to witness the site magically aglow with bright golden lights. 
• Taking a guided tour is recommended if you wish to take in the castle’s rich history in all its glory all the while feasting your eyes with the finest of art pieces and artifacts. 
• Do visit the beautifully decorated State Rooms which are accessed via the Jordan staircase. 
• Take a tour of Nevsky Prospect while you’re in the region to experience a pleasant walk through a historical street with great shopping opportunities and plenty of places to eat!
• Take some time out to enjoy the serene view of the Neva River. You can calm your mind and also get aesthetic photographs. 
• Since the entirety of the complex is too large to be completely toured in a day, it is recommended to research and locate sites that catch your interest in order to easily prioritize and make the most of your visit. Getting a guided tour will help save a lot of time and take you through the key sections of the site.

Quick Video Tour of The Main Winter Palace Areas

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The best 7 best castles to visit in the united states, the largest palaces in the world (history & travel tips), biggest castles in the world (history & travel tips), 10 oldest castles in the world | history & travel tips, 9 most impressive castles built on a cliff | travel tips included, the best castles to visit in russia (listed by popularity).

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Palace Winter

Palace Winter are Copenhagen-based Australian Carl Coleman and Dane Caspar Hesselager.

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Past Events

Here are the most recent UK tour dates we had listed for Palace Winter. Were you there?

• Nov 27 2021 Leeds, The Wardrobe Palace Winter
• Nov 26 2021 Glasgow, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut Palace Winter
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• Nov 23 2021 Bristol, Thekla Palace Winter
• Nov 22 2021 Brighton, The Hope & Ruin Palace Winter
• Nov 20 2021 London, Omeara Palace Winter
• Nov 01 2018 London, Oslo Palace Winter
• Oct 31 2018 Bodega Nottingham Palace Winter
• Oct 30 2018 Leeds, Brudenell Social Club Palace Winter
• Oct 28 2018 Glasgow, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut Palace Winter

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Winter Palace

St Petersburg

This stunning mint-green, white and gold profusion of columns, windows and recesses, with its roof topped by rows of classical statues, was commissioned from Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1754 by Empress Elizabeth. Catherine the Great and her successors had most of the interior remodelled in a classical style by 1837. It remained an imperial home until 1917, though the last two tsars spent more time in other palaces.

Today you can tour the palace's grand reception halls and chambers, and wander gallery after gallery stuffed with Eurasian and Asian antiquities, as well as collections of European and Eastern paintings, sculptures and decorative art works.

Dvortsovaya pl 2

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https://www.hermitagemuseum.org

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The Winter palace SIGNIFICANT history, art, and elegance combined in one place!

The Winter Palace is a massive imperial palace home to the world-famous Hermitage Museum, which is, of-course an absolute must-see.

The official residence of Russian Tsars from 1732 to 1917, The Winter Palace is St. Petersburg's most legendary palace. After three centuries, this extravagant Romanov residence still has a commanding presence over the heart of the city's history and the banks of the Neva River.

Various architects were consulted by Peter the Great , Empress Anna, Catherine the Great and Nicholas I, and many had a hand in the ongoing expansion of the palace, but it was most notably Bartolomeo Rastrelli who is credited in the creation of this unrivaled architectural masterpiece.

The Winter Palace also plays a central political, symbolic, and cultural role in the three-century history of the city, for this reason, it is one of the most important buildings of Saint Petersburg.

Many people still think that the Winter Palace and the Hermitage Museum are two different buildings but that's not true. So don't get confused! When you visit the Winter Palace you will be visiting the Hermitage as well because The Winter Palace houses The Hermitage Museum and is the most popular attraction in St. Petersburg.

With more than 1,000 staterooms and 3 million exhibits , visitors are treated to an unimaginable display of luxury and an incomparable collection of artifacts. From the palace windows looking out over the water, the views of colorful sailboats dancing on the river in the summer months are delightful, and in the stillness of winter, the frozen Neva is unbelievably magical. Definitely a must-visit place if you are in St Petersburg! ☺

a look inside the winter palace

Interested to visit the Winter Palace? If so, click on the links below or scroll down the page to learn more.

Quick Links:

More About the Palace

Interesting Facts

Where to Buy Tickets

How to Get There

Practical Information

Tips & Recommendations

Accommodation Nearby

Must-Travel Resources

more about the palace

The Winter Palace and the Hermitage Museum is one of the most beautiful museums in the world. It's no surprise that tourists come by the thousands to marvel at the glory of the fallen Romanovs.

Built on a monumental scale, it was intended to reflect Imperial Russia’s power and it clearly achieves its intention. Many architects worked on it. Its main façade is 250 meters and 30 m high. Numbers at the palace are exorbitant: 1,786 doors , 1,945 windows , 1,500 rooms and 117 staircases . Within the Winter Palace, continual improvements and revisions were made to the interiors throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Once the official residence of Peter the Great, today a stunning and impressive well decorated Royal Palace open to the public. A tour inside will take you through the following exhibits:

• The Enfilade of Staterooms (Overlooking the River Neva);
• The Ambassador's Staircase;
• The October Staircase (Formerly known as His Majesty's Own Staircase);
• The Jordan Staircase;
• The Armorial Hall;
• The Malachite Drawing Room (Private state room used as an assembly point for Imperial Processions);
• The Arabian Hall (A hall that leads to staterooms – used primarily for Imperial weddings);
• The Nicholas II's Personal Library;
• The Ancient Egyptian Hall;
• The 1812 War Gallery;
• The Peacock Clock (A beautiful old golden clock which is still working);
• The Saltykov Entrance (Access to private staterooms from the exterior used only by the Imperial family);
• The Imperial Staircase (A ground floor entry through a discrete exterior porch on the west end of the palace facing the Neva River. Accessed via the October Staircase and used as a second entrance to the private staterooms for the Imperial family only);
• Imperial Wine Cellar;

interesting facts

It is interesting to know that the lavish Winter Palace has also seen the ruin in the past.

In 1837 , Vasily Stasov was hired to oversee restoration after a fire destroyed the grand interior. In an 1880 assassination attempt on Alexander II, a bomb planted under the dining room killed 67 people. It was subsequently determined that its size made it too difficult to fully secure, so Alexander was the last of the Tsars to reside there. His successors, Alexander III and Nicholas II lived in suburban residences and the palace was used for official ceremonies only. The last Imperial event held at The Winter Palace was a masquerade ball to honor Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, Russia's 2nd Emperor (1646 to 1676.)

The year 1905 marked another momentous point in history when the Palace Square became the setting for the Bloody Sunday Massacre. In 1917, on the heels of the February Revolution, it was used as the seat of the Provisional Government and during the October 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, the Red Army seized the palace, ransacked its riches and removed all symbols of the dynasty.

The Siege of Leningrad in 1941 caused more devastation, but by the 1950s, restoration of the palace had begun.  

You should know that the museum displays approximately 3 million exhibits. It's been calculated to take 10 years to see all of them if you spent just 1 minute on each exhibit. ☺

where to buy tickets

You can purchase tickets inside the main building of the palace, or online through the official website. Also, you can buy tickets at the self-service machines inside the General Staff Building (Yellow Building opposite the Hermitage Museum).

how to get there

The closest metro station is Admiralteyskaya. From here, it's a short walk to Nevsky Avenue and a short walk heading west on Nevsky to the River Neva embankment and The Winter Palace. Public transportation are also available if you can't or don't want to walk. Any bus or trolley or tram toke from the Nevsky Prospekt will take you to the Winter Palace in less than 10 minutes.

practical information

Address: 2, Dvortsovaya Ploschad (Palace Square)

Metro: Admiralteyskaya

Open: Daily 10:30 am to 6 pm. Last admission is at 5:30 pm. Wednesday and Friday, till 9 pm. Last admission is at 8:30 pm.

Closed: Monday

Telephone: +7 (812) 571-3420; +7 (812) 710-9079

Website: www.hermitagemuseum.org/

Admission: 600 Rubles - entry ticket to the Main Museum Complex and the branches (the General Staff Building, Winter Palace of Peter the Great, Menshikov Palace, the Museum of the Imperial Porcelain Factory). 300 Rubles - entry ticket to one of the Hermitage branches (Winter Palace of Peter the Great, Menshikov Palace, the Museum of the Imperial Porcelain Factory, Staraya Derevnya Restoration and Storage Centre).

Audio-guides are available (deposit required)

Free admission: Preschool children, school children, students. Free admission to all visitors on the first Thursday of each month.

Photo and video: No flash.

Accessibility note: The museum is wheelchair accessible (ramps/lifts). Free wheelchair rentals. Please call in advance as staff assistance may be require.

tips & recommendations

• We strongly recommend visiting the museum with a tour guide so you can save time, skip the line, and better enjoy your visit as there is a lot to see.
• Keep in mind that if you're a student regardless of your country of origin or your age, you enter the museum for free.
• The Palace is overcrowded with locals and tourists during the Summer (from the end of May till the very end of September). Thus, if you are an independent traveler and you wish to visit the site on your own we highly recommend that you buy entrance tickets prior to your visit.
• Make sure you buy a ticket online and go to the side entrance at around 10.30 am when it opens to avoid the tour groups. If you get a 2-day pass you should go to the General Staff Building the following day.
• There is also a self-machine ticket in case you want to buy tickets on the day of your visit.
• Please note that the boundaries between the Winter Palace and the Hermitage Museum aren't clear. There's no distinction between the two and the museum is hard to navigate. 
• Please note that the food at the cafe is limited.
• We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes as visiting the Palace requires a lot of walking. Also, don't forget to collect a map which is available in many languages after you enter. The inside is huge and you would need the map to mark which rooms you had completed.
• Don't forget to bring your camera to take photos. ☺
• No need for an audio guide if you are not much keen to know every detail behind the artworks, you can just stroll and enjoy the beauty at your own pace.

accommodation nearby

Our picking list of Hotels nearby the Winter Palace

Kempinski Hotel Moika 22

Petr St. Petersburg Hotel

Pushka Inn Hotel

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Winter Palace and Palace Square in St Petersburg - Russia

Winter Palace in St Petersburg, Russia - the former Imperial Palace of Russian Tsars, now is a part of main museum complex of the State Hermitage .

The current building of the palace (the fifth one) was built in 1754-1762 by the Italian architect Rastrelli in magnificent Elizabethan style, with Baroque elements in the French rococo interiors. It is an object of cultural heritage of federal importance and UNESCO World Heritage object as part of the historic center of St Petersburg. Since its completion in 1762 to 1904 it was used as the official Winter Residence of the Russian Tsars .

In 1904 Nicholas II changed permanent residence to Alexander Palace in Tsarskoye Village. From October 1915 to November 1917 at the palace worked Hospital named after Alexei Nikolaevich.

From July to November 1917, at the palace was housed the Provisional Government . In January 1920, the palace opened State Museum of the Revolution, which divided building with the State Hermitage until 1941.

The Winter Palace and Palace Square form a beautiful architectural ensemble of a modern city and are one of the main objects of domestic and international tourism. The palace building has 1,084 rooms, 1,945 windows, 117 stairs (including hidden). The length of the facade from the Neva River - 137 meters from the Admiralty - 106 meters and height of 23.5 meters.

In 1844 Nicholas I issued a decree banning the building in St Petersburg civil buildings above the height of the Winter Palace. They were to be built at least one less than seven feet. Despite the restructuring and many innovations, the main planning scheme of palace retained ideas Rastrelli. Palace housing are formed around the Big inner courtyard.

In the north-west and south-west wings in place "Throne Room" and "Opera House" were created light courtyards around which formed enfilades of living quarters. From the east to the Winter Palace adjoins the Small Hermitage , built along the "Black Directions." To this drive come housing of St George Hall , Great Church housing, south-east and north-east wing of the palace, the space is broken into a system of yards and hollows: "Small" and "Large ecclesiastical" neighborhood, "Church" and "garage" (from the garage located here) swales, "Kitchen court".

Elegance and magnificence of the building's silhouette give the sculptures and vases, mounted above the cornice around the perimeter of the building.

They were originally carved out of stone and replaced with metal in years of 1892-1902 (sculptors M. Popov, Jensen). "Opened" composition of the Winter Palace is kind of Russian processing of closed type of the palace building with a courtyard widespread in architecture of Western Europe.

Winter Palace as one of the attractions in St Petersburg, Russia is worth seeing during guided tours and shore excursions in St Petersburg . Book transfers and rent a car with a driver in Petersburg to enjoy the marvelous city.

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The Winter Palace

The first Imperial residence on the site of the Winter Palace was a wooden house in the Dutch style built in 1708 for Peter the Great and his family. This was replaced in 1711 by a stone building, the remains of which formed the foundations of the Hermitage Theatre . Parts of this original palace have now been restored and are open to the public.

Empress Anna Ioannovna was the first of Peter's descendants to reconstruct the palace. In 1731, she commissioned Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli , the recently appointed court architect who would go on to become the recognized master of late baroque in Russia, to create a new, larger palace on the site. Completed in 1735, the third Winter Palace served for only 17 years before Rastrelli was again asked, this time by Empress Elizabeth (Elizaveta Petrovna), to expand the building. After two years proposing different plans to adapt the existing building, Rastrelli eventually decided to completely rebuild the palace, and his new design was confirmed by the empress in 1754.

When Catherine the Great came to the throne in 1762, the new palace was nearly complete and, although Catherine removed Rastrelli from the project, his designs for the exterior of the building have remained almost completely unaltered to this day. The building forms a square with an interior courtyard accessed via three archways facing Palace Square. The richly decorated facades feature two levels of richly decorated ionic columns, and the parapets of the building are decorated with statues and vases. (The original stone decorations were replaced with lighter metal substitutes 1892-1902.) The palace is 22m high, and local planning regulations have prevented any building in the city centre rising higher than this ever since.

Within the Winter Palace, continual improvements and revisions were made to the interiors throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 1780s and 1790s, Giacomo Quarenghi and Ivan Starov created a new enfilade of state rooms overlooking the Neva River. Under Emperor Nicholas I, Carlo Rossi added the 1812 War Gallery in 1826.

In December 1837, fire broke out in the Winter Palace, destroying nearly all the palace interiors and only being prevented from spreading to the priceless art collections in the Hermitage with the prior destruction of three passages leading between the two buildings. Nicholas ordered that reconstruction of the palace be completed within one year, a monumental effort considering the construction technologies of the day. The lavish interiors were recreated under the supervision of Vasily Stasov, while his fellow architect Alexander Briullov added new designs in more contemporary styles.

Alexander II was the last of the Tsars to genuinely use the Winter Palace as his main residence. After his assassination in 1881, it became clear that the palace was too large to be properly secured (the first attempt on his life the year before had been a bomb that damaged several rooms in the palace and killed 11 guards). Alexander III and Nicholas II both set up their family residences at suburban palaces, the former at Gatchina and the latter at the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoye Selo. Nonetheless, the Winter Palace was still used for official ceremonies and receptions. A spectacular masked ball commemorating the anniversary of the reign of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich (1646-1676), the second Romanov Tsar, held in 1903 was the last major event hosted by the Imperial family at the Winter Palace.

In 1905, the Winter Palace was a mute witness to the Bloody Sunday Massacre on Palace Square, when thousands of striking workers came to meet the Tsar in peaceful protest and were met by a re-enforced contingent of troops with orders to fire at will. Although Nicholas II was not responsible for this seminal tragedy, it marked the beginning of the end for the power of the Imperial family, which was increasingly isolated at its suburban residence. The Winter Palace saw the official opening of the first Duma in 1906, and Nicholas II and his wife returned to the palace to accept the salute of troops departing for the front in 1914. Soon, however, the Winter Palace was to be stripped of much of its wealth and transformed into a temporary hospital for wounded soldiers.

In 1917, after Nicholas II's abdication and the February Revolution, the Winter Palace became the seat of the Provisional Government under Alexander Krenskiy. It was against this authority, rather than the Imperial family, that the Bolshevik-led revolutionary forces besieged and then stormed the palace in October of the same year. In the ensuing anarchy, a portion of the Winter Palace's riches were ransacked, including the enormous Imperial wine cellars (although the looting did not extend to the Hermitage).

The Winter Palace was declared part of the State Hermitage Museum on 17 October 1917. Although initial Bolshevik policy was to remove all Imperial symbols from the palace and use the premises as a museum of the Revolution, the restoration project of the 1940s and 1950s, which followed further extensive damage to the building during the Siege of Leningrad, saw the beginning of an ongoing process to return the Imperial splendor of many of the palace's rooms. The State Rooms of the Winter Palace now form one of the most popular sections of the Hermitage, and are essential viewing for all visitors to St. Petersburg.

Accommodation near the Winter Palace

Kempinski hotel moika 22, refined luxury hotel just a stone's throw from the winter palace, pushka inn hotel, charming small hotel with a prime location steps from the winter palace, small superior hotel located a few steps from the winter palace, apartments on reki moyki emb., superior rental apartments with pretty interiors close to the winter palace, art apartment, one-bedroom rental apartment located under 5 minutes from the winter palace, nevsky arch, spacious self-catering accommodation just a few steps from the winter palace, superior backpacker hostel with strong social life close to winter palace, nevsky 3 guest house, cheap accommodation and friendly service round the corner from the winter palace, simple hostel, very popular hostel offering high standards of service and accommodation, dining near the winter palace, eclectic and inventive cuisine in a stylish and welcoming atmosphere, da albertone, friendly, affordable italian restaurant with great location near the winter palace, udachny vystrel (the lucky shot), hunting-themed restaurant near winter palace serving well cooked and exotic fare.

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• Latest News

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The run kicks off May 30 in Dallas, Texas.

Published on

Rising London band Palace has announced its biggest North American headlining tour to date, with 18 shows in 1,000+ capacity rooms across the US and Canada, including nights at Brooklyn Steel, DC’s 9:30 Club, The Wiltern in Los Angeles, and over a dozen more. The announce follows show-stopping festival performances at Life Is Beautiful , Portola, Format, and more.

Alongside the tour announce, the band shared “All We’ve Ever Wanted,” their first new music since the acclaimed 2022 album Shoals .“‘All We’ve Ever Wanted’ is about dreams and desires,” explains singer Leo Wyndham about the track that straddles the anthemic, lighters-aloft sentiment of Britpop’s finest and an artfully applied sheen of shoegaze noise.

“It’s about wondering if things ever can come to pass exactly as we’ve pictured them in our mind’s eye, and confronting the reality that things often don’t move in a predictable straight line. In the end, new growth seems to occur from the soil of the unexpected.” The track is taken from a new EP due for release this spring.

Best Iggy Pop Songs: 20 Tracks With An Insatiable Lust For Life

2022’s Shoals is a profound and pensive album, boldly exploring some of life’s greatest questions over its 12 mesmerising tracks. The album deftly explores the interplay of three central existential dilemmas against a broader backdrop of wonder at the vastness and power of the ocean, concluding its arc with the stunning opus “Where Sky Becomes Sea.” Through diving into themes of the subconscious, dreams and existentialism, Shoals is broadly a record about living with and processing fear.

Visit Palace’s official website for more information.

Palace Tour Dates: Tues May 30, Dallas, TX – South Side Music Hall Weds May 31, Austin, TX – Emo’s Fri June 2, Orlando, FL – The Beachum Sat June 3, Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse Sun June 4, Charlotte,NC – Underground Tues June 6, Washington DC – 9:30 Club Fri June 9, Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel Sat June 10, Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer Sun, June 11, Boston, MA – Royale Tues June 13, Montreal, QC – Corona Weds June 14, Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall Fri June 16, Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall Sat June 17, Detroit, MI – St Andrews Hall Sun June 18, Chicago, IL – House of Blues Tues June 20, Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre Weds June 21, Salt Lake City, UT – Rockwell @ Complex Fri June 23, Los Angeles, CA – Wiltern Sat June 24, San Francisco, CA – Fox Theatre

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Witness Russian Royalty At St. Petersburg's Winter Palace

The Winter Palace is more akin to a work of architectural art than a former home, and tours will leave visitors speechless.

St. Petersburg was built by the Russian Tsar, Peter the Great, to be the new capital of the Russian Empire. Consequently, it is full of stunning imperial Russian architecture and is one of the most popular places to visit in all of Russia. One of the most famous buildings is the Winter Palace - it served as the official residence of the Russian Tsars (Emperors) from 1732 to 1917. Today is it open to the public and forms the Hermitage Museum.

The Winter Palace is green and white and is in the shape of an elongated rectangle. When visiting Russia, one should always visit both Moscow and St. Petersburg as they are both magnificent in different ways.

Background Of The Winter Palace

The Winter Palace is between the Palace Embankment and the Palace Square, and it is next to the site of Peter the Great's original Winter Palace. It was severely damaged by a fire and immediately rebuilt in 1837 and continued to serve the Tsars up until they were deposed (and then shot) in 1917. It became a symbol of the Russian Revolution.

The Winter Palace was witness to the Bloody Sunday Massacre on Palace Square in 1905. This was a time of revolutionary fever, incompetent rule, and a disastrous Russian defeat at the hands of the emerging Japanese Empire. While the revolt was put down, the Tsar was overthrown later on in 1917 during World War One.

Tsar Nicholas II was not responsible for this seminal tragedy where thousands of striking workers had come to meet the Tsar in a peaceful protest where the re-enforced contingent of troops fired at will. By this time the Tsar did not live in the palace but the event marked the beginning of the end of the Russian Empire and the Imperial family.

• Stormed: The Bolshevik Led Revolutionary Forces Besieged And Stormed The Palace in October 1917
• Aftermath: In The Aftermath With The Ensuing Anarchy, Must Of The Winter Palace's Riches Were Ransacked

Related:  What You Need To Know Before Visiting The Opulent Palace Of Versailles

Winter Palace in Numbers

The Winter Palace is massive as it was built on a monumental scale that aimed to reflect the might and power of Imperial Russia. At the time, the Russian Empire spanned around a sixth of all the Earth's landmass. One of the principal architects involved in its design was the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli.

Still, one thing the Tsars couldn't improve was the weather. St. Petersberg is humidly cold in the winter - making it bitingly cold without actually being very cold. It is not a place one would like to spend the winter!

• Principal Facade: 215 Meters or 705 Feet Long, 30 Meters or 98 Feet High
• Doors: Calculated To Have 1,886 Doors
• Windows: Has 1,945 Windows
• Rooms: 1,500 Rooms
• Staircases: 117 Staircases

The Winter Palace is easily St. Petersburg's most famous building. The palace without the facade is 22 meters hire and local planning regulations prevent any other building in the city center from rising higher than the palace ever since it was built.

Visiting The Winter Palace

Today everyone can (and should) visit this work of opulence that has been a museum since the revolution in 1917. It is operated by the Russian State Hermitage Museum .

Ticket Price:

• Foreigners: 800 Rubles ($10.50)
• Russian And Belarus Citizens: 400 Rubles ($5.00)

Opening Hours:

• Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays: 11 AM – 6 PM
• Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays:  11 AM – 8 PM
• Closed: On Mondays, January 1 and May 9

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Skip-the-Line Tour of Winter Palace (Hermitage) & Catherine's Palace:  It seems that the museum does not offer guided tours on its website (at least in English). One private third-party tour of the Winter Palace is the Skip-the-Line Tour and it discovers both the Winter Palace and Catherine's Palace.

Exploring the palace with a guide really brings the whole palace to life and is one of the best ways to really understand the history of this stunning building. The tour also enables one to skip the long lines and have priority admission to both of the palaces enabling one to visit both on the same day.

• Duration: 8 Hours (Approx.)
• Pickup: Hotel Pickup is Offered
• Language: Offered in English And 4 Other Languages
• Cost: From $265

Virtual Tours:  For those unable to visit the stunning Winter Palace, the Heritage Museum offers virtual tours of the massive complex. It has some 705 panoramas on its website for the Main Museum Complex along.

It also has virtual tours for the General Staff Building, the Winter Palace of Peter the Great, The Menshikov Palace, the Hermitage Theatre, the Museum of the Imperial Porcelain Factory, and much more.

Virtual travel is becoming more and more popular (especially with the pandemic) and there are some things to know about virtual traveling from one's own house .

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Top 10 Facts about the Winter Palace in Moscow

By Florstein - Wikimedia

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By Suicasmo – Wikimedia

1. The Tsars and Tsarinas of Russia ruled from the Winter Palace

2. italian architect was involved in the construction of this palace.

Aerial View of the Winter Palace. Photo by Andrew Shiva-Wikimedia

3. Fire destroyed the Winter Palace

Photo By B Green – Wikimedia

4. The Winter Palace was a residence of the Tsars

By W. Bulach – Wikimedia

5. There are several valuable art collections at the Winter Palace

By Alexander Kolb – Wikimedia

6. There are more than 1000 rooms in the Winter Palace

7. it took 8 years to complete the winter palace.

By Florstein – Wikimedia

8. The Winter Palace has been painted different colours over the years

9. the winter palace has been stormed in the past, 10. the hermitage museum at the winter palace has a great art collection.

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Winter Palace

Architecture.

The Winter Palace St Petersburg is arguably one of the most splendid architectural marvels in the whole country, and houses the State Hermitage Museum as well. Whilst the building has undergone numerous renovations and changes, the current building of the palace was built between 1754 and 1762 using designs of the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. It is also the fifth building of the Winter Palace, in addition to being the most magnificent of all.

The palace has a closed quadrangular design, in addition to an extensive yard, complete with numerous intricate details and statues that decorate it. There are 3 arches on the palace’s southern façade, which lead to the main entrance. A Military Gallery was created in the Winter Palace in 1820, dedicated to the War of 1812, while numerous halls were rebuilt by Rastrelli during the 1830s.

As of today, the Winter Palace is home to the famous State Hermitage Museum , which houses millions of age-old displays and artefacts to offer visitors a glimpse into the rich Russian art, history and heritage.

Discover Winter Palace

The Jordan Staircase of the Winter Palace is one of the most historically significant sites in the entire city. It is down these very stairs where the Czar of Russia once walked during a ceremony where the baptism of Christ was commemorated. The Jordan Staircase dates all the way back to the 18th century, and was built by Russian architect Vasily Petrovich Stasov.

The White Hall of the Winter Palace was designed by architect Alexander Briullov. It was constructed to commemorate the marriage of the Tsarevich to Maria of Hesse in the year 1841, which is also when a large part of the palace was being rebuilt due to a fire. The hall was built in a classical style, with a vaulted ceiling that was supported by Corinthian columns. The White Hall is currently a part of the Hermitage Museum and retains all of its original décor.

The Gothic Library of Nicholas II, located inside the Winter Palace St Petersburg, is ranked as one of the most beautiful and magnificent interiors which have survived the trials of time. It is also the only place inside the emperor’s private apartments within the palace which has retained its historical appearance, without having undergone any change.

Often referred to as the Great Throne Room, St George’s Hall is one of the largest state rooms in the entire Winter Palace. It is located on the eastern wings of the palace, and connects to the Hermitage Museum via the Apollo Room. The room has been designed in a neoclassical style, and dates back to between 1787 and 1795. The room was destroyed during the fire of 1837, after which it was redesigned in a more classical style, with white Carrara marble columns and gilded ceilings. The Apollo Room is located behind the throne in St George’s Hall, and is actually an upper floor of a bridge which links the palace to the Hermitage Museum.

The Neva Enfilade is a sequence of three huge halls arranged in a row along the façade of the Winter Palace, which faces the Neva River. This part of the palace was originally designed as a series of five state rooms in 1753, and were then transformed into an enfilade in 1790. They were also rebuilt after the fire of 1837, and were transformed into a military hospital in 1915. As of today, the Neva Enfilade is used as a series of exhibition halls for the Hermitage Museum.

The Grand Church of the Winter Palace is often referred to as the Winter Palace Cathedral. It was built in 1763, and is located on the eastern side of the palace. It is also the larger and more important church out of the two churches located within the Winter Palace. The Grand Church was designed by Rastrelli and is said to be one of the most beautiful rooms in the palace.

History of Winter Palace

The Imperial Court at the Winter Palace was re-established by empress Anna when came to power in the 1730s. In addition, the city also replaced Moscow as the capital city of Russia in 1732, and remained so until 1918. The first Winter Palace, which was constructed in 1708 was replaced by a stone palace under the reign of Anna, who commissioned Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli to design a bigger palace, which was finished in 1735.

When Anna was succeeded by Czar Ivan VI in 1740, he was soon deposed in a coup by Grand Duchess Elizabeth, who was the daughter of Peter the Great. She soon became the new empress, and requested Rastrelli to make renovations that would make the palace a masterpiece of Russian Baroque architecture. The work for this began in 1754, with around 460 rooms being constructed. This became the fourth Winter Palace, which was thus completed in 1762. It was famous for its luxury and elegance, with three storeys and the quadrangular shape, complete with white columned facades, golden stucco mouldings as well as over 170 sculptures lining the roof of the palace.

Catherine II became empress in 1762, and soon after that, dismissed Rastrelli. After that, she ordered a majority of the baroque interiors of the Winter Palace to be replaced with neoclassical designs, along with a number of French elements. She also ordered the addition of a new wing to the palace and commissioned French architect Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe for the same. The interiors of the palace were destroyed by a fire in the year 1837, and four years after that, the entire restoration work for the Winter Palace was completed. In addition to retaining the Neoclassical look, a lot of new designs were also introduced to the palace’s structure, whilst the damaged exterior was once again rebuilt according to plans created by Rastrelli.

Between 1796 to 1855, the Winter Palace St Petersburg served as the home of many emperors, including Paul I, who was Catherine II’s son and successor. He soon moved await from the palace to Saint Michael’s Castle, where he was murdered 3 weeks after he took up residence in 1801. He was then succeeded by Alexander I, his son, who was the country’s ruler during the Napoleonic Wars. He then enhanced the palace and its structure after Napoleon was defeated in 1815, when he purchased the art collection of former empress of France, Josephine. This included many masterpieces, including Rembrandt’s “The Descent from the Cross.” Alexander I was succeeded by his brother Nicholas I in 1825, who included changes in the Winter Palace that visitors can see even now, including its present appearance and layout.

Plan to visit

Opening Hours

The Winter Palace remains open between 12:00 p.m. to 09:00 p.m. from Tuesdays to Sundays. It remains closed on Mondays, in addition to January 1st and May 9th.

The Winter Palace is located at: 38 Palace Embankment, Dvortsovaya Municipal Okrug, Central District, Saint Petersburg, Russia 190000

• You can reach the Winter Palace by metro. Several metro lines stop at the station near the palace. You can take the purple line or line 5 metro to Admiralteyskaya, blue line or line 2 metro to Nevsky Prospekt, as well as the green line or line 3 metro to Gostiny Dvor to get to Winter Palace.

By Bus - You can also avail a bus ride from the avtobus stops to get to the Winter Palace. These buses usually operate on bus lines 7, 10, 24 and 191.

Trolley Bus - Trolley buses, identified by the letter “T” can also take you to the Winter Palace. You can avail rides on trolley buses on lines number 1, 7, 10 and 11, which operate to the palace.

By Taxis and Gypsy Cabs - Taxis and gypsy cabs are also quite popular transportation methods to get to different places in St Petersburg. Therefore, you can avail a ride in one of the taxis or gypsy cabs and get down directly in front of the Winter Palace.

The best time to visit the Winter Palace is during the early morning hours when the palace opens doors to visitors for the day, at around 12:00 p.m., especially on the weekdays. It is during this time when there are lesser crowds here, making it quite easy and convenient to explore the palace. When it comes to when to visit the palace during the year, you can come here all through the year. If you wish to avoid huge crowds, you must visit the Winter Palace between May and early June, which is the low tourist season in St Petersburg. On the other hand, you can also visit the Winter Palace in the winter seasons, from November to January, when it remains decked in thick layers of snow, and looks its best.

What is the Winter Palace known for?

The Winter Palace served as the residence of Peter the Great, and is also known for being the home of the famous Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. Additionally, it is also one of the most magnificent monuments of the city, built in the mid-18th century, and was the home of the Czars for almost 200 years.

How can I book the tickets for Winter Palace?

You can book the tickets for Winter Palace online. Not only is this the best way to get your tickets and secure your visit to the palace, but pre-booking tickets online will also help you save on time, energy and money during your visit.

Is the Winter Palace worth visiting?

Yes, the Winter Palace is surely worth visiting. In addition to housing the famous Hermitage Museum, the palace is also known for other magnificent features, from the opulent staterooms to the spectacular Jordan staircase.

Is the Winter Palace wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the Winter Palace in St Petersburg is wheelchair accessible. Therefore, visitors with disabilities will have no problems in visiting and exploring the palace.

Should I book the tickets for Winter Palace in advance?

Yes, it is advisable to book the tickets for Winter Palace in advance, since it is a very popular attraction in St Petersburg, which can result in the tickets being sold out quickly. Booking them in advance will secure your visit to the palace.

What is the best time to visit the Winter Palace?

The best time to visit the Winter Palace is during the early hours of the day on weekdays, around 12:00 p.m. The palace remains less crowded during this time, so you can easily explore it in entirety without having to rush.

Why was the Winter Palace built?

While the Winter Palace served as the official residence of the Russian emperors between 1732 to 1917, it was built primarily to reflect and display the power of Imperial Russia. It is from this palace where the Czars ruled a major part of the world by the end of the 19th century.

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The Winter Palace: Palace Square

Online Exhibitions > Imperial St. Petersburg: Architectural Visions > The Winter Palace: Palace Square

The Winter Palace (1754-1762)

Under Empress Elizabeth, St. Petersburg became a city of sumptuous baroque grandeur. The crowning glory of the Empress’s architectural endeavor was the Winter Palace, built by Elizabeth’s favorite architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli on the Neva River.  The Imperial residence was designed in a distinct Russian baroque style featuring an abundance of decorative details and the lively interchange of columns and statuary embellishing the palace’s graceful facades.

The river façade presented an uninterrupted sweep of over six hundred and fifty feet, blending admirably with the environment. The enormous structure overlooked the vast river expanse in the north and Palace Square in the south. The southern façade had three arches leading into the main ceremonial courtyard behind the elaborate wrought-iron gate.

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Winter's Snow Tour 2022!

The party was really fun, we all had a great time and the winners were announced.

How we found the winners?

3 anonymous judges visited the tour and based in the tour rules, they sent to Us a list of what palaces they think are the first 3 ones, we give 5 points for 1st place, 3 points for 2nd place and 1 point for 3rd place.

We had open a votation room at our showroom palace, our automatic system counted all real votes and that is the 4th judge, the votes of the visitors, we got the list of the first 3 ones and have assigned the same points than the judges (5 for 1st, 3 for 2nd and 1 for 3rd place).

Here you all can see some images of the event.

• 1st place (5 points) for The Vault: Well themed - A nice collection of games (easy) - beautifully animated. Loved it.
• 2nd place (3 points) for Trial and Error: Grinch themed /displayed nicely - Story was well wrtitten.
• 3rd place (1 point) for Outrigger Island: Rooms were beautiful and well animated - The poem was was very nice.
• 1st place (5 points) for Taldores Mystic Garden: Love how interactive the tour was, and the graphics were just amazing! I got to build my own snowman :o) The animation, scripting and music were great as well! Top notch tour for sure!.
• 2nd place (3 points) for The Vault: Very interactive and fun tour! Had something for everyone and the music was great!.
• 3rd place (1 point) for Trial and Error: Absolutely loved the Grinch theme and it was worked in perfectly!.
• 1st place (5 points) for BARLOVENTO: Awesome Tour with Really good gif animations videos custom made and history 3 languages.
• 2nd place (3 points) for The Vault: Great Tour with Interactive Rooms to play with and a Great Christmas History in one of them.
• 3rd place (1 point) for Secret Flames: Train world travel. Really Original train tour with good animations.
• 1st place (5 points) for Taldores Mystic Garden
• 2nd place (3 points) for Trial and Error
• 3rd place (1 point) for Secret Flames

Final Results!!!

Palaces and visitors that vote raffle.

Palace raffle winner: Yes Ma'am!

User raffle winner: ¯.Nø§i._!

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Winter Pass Tropical

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Schönbrunn Palace

4 attractions on one ticket: sensationally good value for money!

The Schönbrunn Winter Pass Tropical includes admission to the following attractions:

• Grand Tour of Schönbrunn Palace with audio guide
• Zoo: admission to the world’s oldest zoo
• Desert Experience House: meet the masters in the art of survival
• Palm House: fascinating jungle flora in an architectural masterpiece

The Schönbrunn Winter Pass gives you the following benefits:

• The Schönbrunn Winter Pass entitles you to one visit to all the attractions included.
• Valid for admission to the Palace on the day selected at the time selected; single admission to the other included attractions to the end of the season.
• Adults save up to 20% compared with the price of seperate tickets

This ticket is available during the winter season (3 November 2023–1 April 2024) from the ticket desks at Schönbrunn Palace or online.

VISIT WITH MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE?

BOOK GROUP TICKET

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** including  audio guide or printed description  depending on availability.

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Evisu and Palace Roll the Dice In Spring 2024 Collaboration

Enlisting detroit-based musician john fm to tour his native city in style..

London-based label Palace Skateboards continues to usher in its Spring 2024 collection through powerful drops and impactful partnerships. Following its old-school collaboration with GAP , Palace has tapped Japanese denim pioneer Evisu for a music-inspired release bringing back dice denim.

Evisu heavily influenced 1990s style with oversized denim and its signature bounced logo. In the collaboration, Evisu’s raw Japanese denim takes on customary styles with rolling dice prints, featured across paneled trucker jackets, baggy five-pocket jeans, zip-up hoodies, and jorts. Collared cardigans arrive in red and beige tones, while co-branded tees, reconstructed tote bags, custom dice sets, and embroidered caps complete the collaboration.

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