6: The Main Courtyard of the Winter Palace in 2005

In May 2003, during the St Petersburg Tercentennial celebrations, a new stage in the history of the Main Courtyard began - it was opened to the public due to the creation of the main entrance to the museum from Palace Square. Rastrelli's magnificent architecture helps to prepare visitors for the masterpieces they are about to see in one of the world's greatest museums. The courtyard also became a sort of auditorium, a venue for open-air concerts and performances during St Petersburg's White Nights.
The garden in the centre of the courtyard was reconstructed following Gornostayev's original project of 1885.