Palace Square, St. Petersburg

Saint Petersburg's historical heart, monumental Palace Square provided the setting for some of the 20th century's most dramatic events. In 1905, imperial troops shot at unarmed strikers demonstrating in this very space, sparking the Revolution of 1905. In 1917, Bolshevik militants stormed the royal residence, the square's most prominent building, signaling the start of the October Revolution. Today, the grand square serves a more peaceful purpose, attracting visitors with its ensemble of landmark buildings. Commence your tour of the city at the square's central column, the tallest of its kind in the world. Erected in honor of Russia's victory over Napoleon's France, the top of the towering column features a statue of an angel holding a cross. Put Palace Square at the forefront of your travel plans using our St. Petersburg day trip website.