PALACE SQUARE

Palace Square, created by the architect Carlo Rossi, is one of the most perfect architectural ensembles in the world. Its magnificent appearance is determined by the Winter Palace, Rastrelli’s masterpiece, and the superb building of the General Staff designed by Carlo Rossi.

The vertical dominating Palace Square is the Alexander Column created to a project by the architect August de Montferrad in 1830-1834. The monument of solid rock (red granite) was set up in honor of Russia’s victory in the Patriotic War of 1812. Soaring to the height of 47.5 metres, is the highest triumphal column of the world. It is noteworthy that the column weighing more than 600 tonnes is not fixed and keeps in its places merely by its own weight. The monument is surmounted with the figure of the Angel bearing a cross, a work of the sculptor Boris Orlovsky. The pedestal is decorated with bronze bas-relief depicting ancient armour and the allegorical figures of Victory, Wisdom, Peace and Abundance.

Palace square is the principal square of the city and it invariably attracts numerous guests by its austere beauty and perfect architectural decision.