The Winter Palace of Peter I was opened as a part of the Hermitage in 1992, this unique 18^th-century architectural monument having been only recently uncovered. It had been thought that with the construction of the Hermitage Theatre (architect Giacomo Quarenghi), Peter I's main residence in the capital had been razed to the ground. But documents of the period recorded that the architect retained not only the walls of the ground and first floors, but also several rooms of different function.

In the course of research conducted by Hermitage architects between 1976 and 1986, a large fragment of the former state courtyard was located beneath the theatre's stage. On two sides the courtyard was surrounded by arcaded galleries and suites of palace apartments.

A fragment of the small residential block was discovered beneath the hall. During the time of Peter I these were the "small chambers" (architect Mattarnovi, 1716-1720) and consisted of several private rooms used by Peter himself.
Additionally, 12 private rooms belonging to the Empress Catherine I were retained on two floors facing the Winter Canal (architect Domenico Trezzini).
The restoration and reconstruction works were carried out jointly by the Finnish company Puolimatka (1988-1989) and the Hermitage Restoration Department.

The Siberian Collection of Peter I