Palace Square is St Petersburg’s monumental civic square at Palace Square, St Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation, in the Admiralteysky District beside Nevsky Prospekt. Laid out as the ceremonial forecourt to the imperial Winter Palace and completed as an architectural ensemble in the early 19th century, it draws visitors for the Alexander Column, the vast sweep of Carlo Rossi’s General Staff Building and immediate access to the State Hermitage Museum.
What to Expect at Palace Square
The square is an open, pedestrian-scale stage between two defining façades. On the north side, Bartolomeo Rastrelli’s green-and-white Winter Palace was built for Empress Elizabeth between 1754 and 1762; it is now the principal building of the State Hermitage Museum. Its 1,500-plus rooms are not open as a single palace route, but museum visitors can see imperial interiors such as the Jordan Staircase, St George’s Hall and the Pavilion Hall, as well as collections ranging from ancient art to European masters.
Across the square, Carlo Rossi’s pale-yellow General Staff Building curves for almost 600 metres, joined by the triumphal arch crowned with a sculptural Chariot of Glory. The eastern wing is part of the Hermitage and displays 19th- and 20th-century European art, including works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, Gauguin, Matisse and Picasso. At the centre rises Auguste de Montferrand’s 47.5-metre Alexander Column, erected in 1834 from a single red-granite monolith to commemorate Russia’s victory over Napoleon in 1812.
- Alexander Column: Study the unjointed granite shaft, its bronze relief base and the angel holding a cross at the summit.
- Winter Palace façade: View Rastrelli’s Baroque colonnades, gilded capitals and nearly 250-metre-long northern frontage.
- General Staff Arch: Walk beneath Rossi’s 1829 triumphal arch, the formal passage linking Palace Square and Bolshaya Morskaya Street.
- Hermitage access: Use the square as the starting point for the Winter Palace and General Staff Building museum entrances.
- Revolutionary history: Stand at a major setting of the 1905 Bloody Sunday procession and the October 1917 seizure of the Winter Palace.
Palace Square at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Palace Square, St Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation |
| Neighborhood / Area | Admiralteysky District; historic centre, beside Nevsky Prospekt |
| Operating Hours | Open public square, accessible 24 hours daily; events or security operations can restrict areas temporarily. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | Free to enter the square. State Hermitage Museum admission is paid; check the official site for current timed-entry tickets. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 2 hours for the square and exterior views; add several hours for the Hermitage. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Admiralteyskaya metro is about a 5-minute walk. Limited paid street parking nearby is difficult and restricted. |
| Official Website / Phone | State Hermitage Museum / +7 812 710-90-79 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive before 10 a.m. for quieter photographs and softer light on the Winter Palace façade, or come after dusk to see the illuminated buildings. The square itself needs no reservation. For the Hermitage, buy a timed ticket in advance through the official museum website, especially in summer and during school holidays, and allow time for entry screening. Admiralteyskaya, on Metro Line 5, is the closest station; Nevsky Prospekt and Gostiny Dvor stations are roughly 15 minutes away on foot.
The central expanse is broadly level but surfaced with large stone paving and cobbled sections that can be uneven, wet or icy; a wheelchair or stroller is most comfortable around the perimeter and on the smoother approaches by the Winter Palace. There are no visitor facilities or elevators in the open square. The Hermitage has designated accessible entrances, lifts and wheelchair arrangements, which should be confirmed when booking. Within a 5- to 15-minute walk, pair the square with the Winter Palace, the Alexander Column, the Admiralty building and Nevsky Prospekt’s cafés and restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Palace Square’s hours, and when is the best time to visit?
Palace Square is open 24 hours a day. Visit before 10 a.m. for fewer tour groups, or in the evening for building illumination; winter surfaces can be icy.
Is there an admission fee or reservation for Palace Square?
No. Entry to the public square is free and unticketed. The State Hermitage Museum, including the Winter Palace and General Staff exhibitions, charges admission and uses timed tickets.
How much time should I allow for Palace Square?
Allow one to two hours to walk the square, photograph the architecture and examine the column and arch. Reserve at least three to four additional hours for a focused Hermitage visit.
Is Palace Square suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Yes, with care on uneven stone paving. Families have ample outdoor space, while wheelchair users and strollers should follow perimeter routes; arrange Hermitage accessibility services ahead of arrival.
When planning your St. Petersburg travel guide or browsing verified attractions in St. Petersburg, pair this stop with standout local spots including Winter Palace, Erarta, Astoriya, and Alexander Column (nearby).
