The Winter Palace of Peter I

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The Winter Palace of Peter I is a unique architectural and historical monument of the early 18th century which forms part of the building of the Hermitage Theatre, as was proven by the research of Hermitage architects conducted between 1976 and 1986. When Giacomo Quarenghi constructed the Theatre during 1783-1789, he preserved some parts of the ground and first floor of the Peter's palace and also various groups of apartments. A part of the gala courtyard has been discovered underneath the Theatre's stage, surrounded by two side arcade galleries and suites of rooms of the Winter Palace from Peter's day.

The official residence of Peter I was built from 1719 to1722 by Domenico Tresini according to a design drafted by Georg Mattarnovi, who died in 1719. The two floors of the southern facade of the building were decorated with arcades facing a courtyard. The surface of the walls today retain elements of architectural decoration - rustication and medallions - under a layer of plaster. Remaining traces of old paints provided the basis for repainting the walls during reconstruction. The northern facade facing the Neva river that has not survived was notable for its solemnity: the architect designed it using the motifs of a Roman triumphal arch. In autumn 1723, a house-warming party was held in the Throne Room, with a feast and fireworks. In January 1725, Peter the Great died here in one of the rooms which has not been preserved. The gala courtyard today has been resurfaced in brick in what is called the "Dutch style" and is used as an exhibition area for the state carriage of Peter I and the sledge used during masquerades of the early 18th century.

In the space under the hall of the Hermitage Theatre, there are what are called the "small chamber rooms" which have survived from the ground floor as it was in Peter I's day. These chambers were constructed by Georg Mattarnovi in 1716-1720 on the bank of the Winter canal and formed part of a complex of residential rooms and out-buildings which included a harbour, a garden with a fountain and a slip to keep and maintain Peter the Great's sailing boat. The rooms have been restored according to documents describing the work done in them, with wall panels of Dutch tiles, inlaid parquet floors, oak shutters and window sashes. The rooms have been furnished using things from the State Hermitage collection that once belonged to Peter I personally.

In addition, on two stories of the Hermitage Theatre along the Winter canal there are twelve residential rooms preserved from the "newly built chambers" of Empress Catherine I designed by Domenico Tresini in 1726-1727.