1787: Creation of the St George Hall

The Large Throne Hall (St George Hall) was created by the celebrated architect Giacomo Quarenghi between 1787 and 1795. It was then completely destroyed by the great fire in 1837, after which it was restored and altered.

Author's plans, prints and drawings allow us to appreciate one of the finest examples of Russian Neoclassical state interiors. We can imagine just how impressive was this large hall (800 m2), with two tiers of windows and double Corinthian pink marble columns. With the play of white, grey, pale red and blue marble and the shining gilt bronze details, patterned parquet from a variety of valuable woods, the hall was one of the great marvels of the Winter Palace. The ceiling was decorated with a plafond by the French artist Gabriel Doyen and by the Italian Giovanni Battista Pittoni. The throne designed by Giacomo Quarenghi for Empress Catherine II stood at the far end of the room and over it were allegorical figures holding a shield with Catherine the Great's monogram.