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View of the Winter Palace from the Admiralty
Detail of the watercolour by Vasily Sadovnikov
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Interiors of the Winter Palace. The Guardroom
Edward Hau
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Since the time when the imperial residence was built
(1754-62), the main courtyard with an area of some 11,000 square metres
served as the entranceway to the palace. In 1767, during the reign
of Catherine II, the courtyard was paved with large cobblestones,
and for many years it was devoid of greenery. The carriages of the
palace's owners and guests - other rulers, great aristocrats and foreign
ambassadors - drove into the courtyard through the triple arch. They
pulled up to the grand entrance situated in the northern block of
the building. There were ramps there enabling the vehicles to drive
beneath the vaults of the covered entrance. The ceremony of the changing
of the palace guard was held in the courtyard by the western block. |
