The Winter Palace, built between 1754 and 1762, as its name implies, was the winter residence of the tsars.   The palace was the work of the Russia architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli (1700-1771)--his name clearly indicates the Italian origins of his family as his father took him to Russia in 1715.  The Winter Palace, is the main building of the current Hermitage State Museum.  The other five buildings include:  the Great Hermitage (1771-87), the Small Hermitage (1765-69), the New Hermitage (1842-51), the General Staff Building (1820-27), the Menshikov Palace (1710 -21) and the Hermitage Theatre (1783-87).

The Winter Palace in Winter

Illuminated by candles.

Decorated for a communist holiday and parade.

From across the Neva River.

Another view from across the Neva River.

One more view from across the river.

Side view of the Winter Palace; photo courtesy Bob Depczenski.

Photo of the Winter Palace from outside the General Staff, looking across Palace Square.
Photo courtesy Thomas T. Hammond.