26 April 2010 when performing electrical works a plaster sculpture was found in the wall of the Clerical Staircase of the Winter Palace.

The Clerical Staircase of the Winter Palace leads to the Small Church where religious ceremonies were held at which members of the royal family were present. By now millions of visitors have gone up and down the Clerical Staircase. When performing scheduled electrical works at the staircase landing of the second floor (opposite the entrance to the Small Church) an opening in the wall covered by brickwork and plasterwork was discovered. When workers looked inside they found a plaster sculpture representing a slave with a collar. How and when this sculpture was hidden in this place, who is its author and whether it belongs to the Hermitage – answers to these questions are yet to be found. But today we know that one more secret of the Winter Palace has been revealed. We will provide more details on this amazing discovery after conducting relevant research.