Palace Square

Palace Square

Palace Square (Russian: Дворцовая площадь, Dvortsovaya Ploshchad), connecting Nevsky Prospekt with Palace Bridge leading to Vasilievsky Island, is the central city square of St Petersburg and of the former Russian Empire. It was the setting of many events of worldwide significance, including the Bloody Sunday (1905) and the October Revolution of 1917.

View of the square with the Alexander Column from an open window of the Hermitage Museum in the Winter Palace.

The earliest and most celebrated building on the square is the baroque white-and-azure Winter Palace of Russian tsars (1754–62), which gave the square its name. Although the adjacent buildings are designed in the Neoclassical style, they perfectly match the palace in their scale, rhythm, and monumentality. The opposite, southern side of the square was designed in the shape of an arc by George von Velten in the late 18th century. These plans were executed half a century later, when Alexander I of Russia envisaged the square as a vast monument to the Russian victory over Napoleon and commissioned Carlo Rossi to design the bow-shaped Empire-style Building of the General Staff (1819–29), which centers on a double triumphal arch crowned with a Roman quadriga.

The centre of the square is marked with the Alexander Column (1830–34), designed by Auguste de Montferrand. This red granite column (the tallest of its kind in the world) is 47.5 metres high and weighs some 500 tons. It is set so well that no attachment to the base is needed.

The eastern side of the square is occupied by Alessandro Brullo's building of the Guards Corps Headquarters (1837–43). The western side, however, opens towards Admiralty Square, thus making the Palace Square a vital part of the grand suite of St Petersburg squares.

The square also serves as open-air venue for concerts by international acts, including Andrea Bocelli, Roger Waters, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Duran Duran, Anastacia, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Shakira, Madonna, Sting.

References

  • V.I. Pilyavsky. Palace Square in Leningrad. Moscow, 1958.

Coordinates: 59°56′21″N 30°18′57″E / 59.93917°N 30.31583°E / 59.93917; 30.31583


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Palace Bridge — Infobox Bridge bridge name=Palace Bridge Дворцовый мост caption=Night view of Palace Bridge is one of the most familiar images of the Northern capital of Russia official name= carries= crosses=Neva River locale=Saint Petersburg maint= id=… …   Wikipedia

  • Palace of Westminster — mit dem Victoria Tower (links) und dem Clock Tower (rechts) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Palace Hotel Zagreb (Zagreb) — Palace Hotel Zagreb country: Croatia, city: Zagreb (City Centre) Palace Hotel Zagreb Palace Hotel Zagreb is located in the very heart of the city, on the beautiful J. J. Strossmayer Square, which is flanked by King Tomislav Square and Zrinski… …   International hotels

  • Palace of Europe — Palais de l Europe Facade of the Palace of Europe with flags of member States General information …   Wikipedia

  • Palace Hotel Copenhagen (Copenhagen) — Palace Hotel Copenhagen country: Denmark, city: Copenhagen (City Centre) Palace Hotel Copenhagen Location Palace Hotel Copenhagen is situated on the Town Hall Square, directly across the world famous Tivoli Gardens. Located close to the main… …   International hotels

  • Palace Bonvecchiati Venice (Venice) — Palace Bonvecchiati Venice country: Italy, city: Venice (City Centre: St. Mark s Square) Palace Bonvecchiati Venice With an international flair and authentic modern art, along with very luxurious amenities, the Palace Bonvecchiati Venice welcomes …   International hotels

  • Palace of the Kraków Bishops in Kielce — Palace of the Kraków Bishops Main façade as seen from the Collegiate Church. General information Architectural style Mannerist early Baroque …   Wikipedia

  • Palace of Auburn Hills — Palace of Auburn Hills …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Palace Hotel San Francisco (San Francisco) — Palace Hotel San Francisco country: United States, city: San Francisco (City: Downtown Union Square) Palace Hotel San Francisco One of the first grand hotels built in the United States, The Palace Hotel has been a San Francisco landmark since… …   International hotels

  • Palace Hotel Prague (Prague) — Palace Hotel Prague country: Czech Republic, city: Prague (Prague 1 / Old Town) Palace Hotel Prague The Hotel Palace is located just off Wenceslas Square in the heart of Old Prague, within walking distance to all historical attractions and the… …   International hotels

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”