The Courtyard
The Winter Palace, designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli and constructed
in 1754-1762, is a three-story building with a large inner yard.
The facades looking out on the yard are decorated in accordance
with the Baroque style, with Corinthian columns and a great variety
of window casings, jambs and lintels. Three arches, each with
an openwork cast-iron gate, cut through the Southern (main) facade;
the opposite facade has a state entrance with ramps for carriages.
This entrance, leading to the Main Staircase of the Winter Palace,
was used on during ceremonies. In the middle of the Courtyard,
there is a garden with a sculpture and fountain.
