Friends, today I invite you to explore one of Saint Petersburg’s most iconic structures — the General Staff Building. First and foremost, it is known to tourists for its central location, as countless residents and visitors of Saint Petersburg pass through its arch daily to reach the city’s main museum, the Hermitage.
My story will be divided into two parts: today, we'll talk about the historic building on Palace Square itself, and in the next article, I’ll cover the Hermitage’s exhibition complex housed in its eastern wing.
How to Get There
Almost every tourist who comes to our city knows how to reach Palace Square by metro. The nearest station is "Admiralteyskaya" on the purple line. The General Staff Building occupies an entire block, with facades facing Nevsky Prospekt, Palace Square, and the Moika River Embankment. If you wish to visit the exhibits inside, the entrance is located in the eastern wing, to the left of the arch when viewed from Alexander Column.
A Bit of History
The vast complex across from the Winter Palace was constructed between 1820 and 1830. The building is in the classical style, designed by the famous architect Carlo Rossi, who was also known for projects like the Mikhailovsky Palace and the Senate and Synod buildings. Before the construction of the General Staff, this area was not vacant; it housed various multi-story residences of noble city residents.
The eastern part of the new building was designated for two government institutions — the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the western wing housed the military department — the General Staff.
A mention of the architectural feature that unites the building wings is essential: the Triumphal Arch, facing Palace Square. It was erected between 1827 and 1828 in memory of the Russian army’s victories over Napoleon. The arch is crowned by the “Chariot of Glory,” created by sculptors S. S. Pimenov and V. I. Demut-Malinovsky.
The "Hermitage" history of the General Staff's eastern wing began in 1988 when this part of the building was transferred to the administration of Saint Petersburg’s most renowned museum. For the Hermitage’s 250th anniversary in 2014, the building underwent a major restoration. Today, it hosts an extensive museum exhibit that combines splendid interiors with masterpieces by some of the world’s greatest artists. But a tour of these exhibition halls will be the subject of the next article.
In summary:
- A fascinating historic building,
- Located in the heart of Saint Petersburg,
- Home to a vast museum complex.
- Part 2. The General Staff Building in St. Petersburg: The Exhibition Complex of the State Hermitage Museum
