You can’t go to St. Petersburg without trekking to Palace Square, which is the city’s central square, and seeing the Winter Palace, also known as The Hermitage, at night. It was the official residence of the Russian tsars from 1732-1917, including the last tsar, Nicholas II, and his family.
You can’t get into the Winter Palace without going through the Palace Square, which is where the Bloody Sunday Massacre in 1905 occurred and of course, the famous Assault on the Winter Palace at the beginning of the October Revolution in 1917.
You won’t be able to miss the massive Alexander Column in the middle of the square. It’s 47.5m high and made of red granite. It was named after Emperor Alexander I (r. 1801-1825) and is a monument to Russia’s victory over of Napoleon.
Palace Square is the heart of St. Petersburg, and it’ll give you an I’m really here moment, especially if you know the basic history behind it. However, I only had that moment when I saw Palace Square with the Winter Palace in the background through the arch of the Building of the General Staff again at night. I recommend going inside the Winter Palace to see all the incredible exhibits during the day, and returning at night for that incredible wow moment.
I went first thing in the morning and after I had spent a few hours looking at everything, I made my way over to Yusupov Palace (where Rasputin was murdered). Something was telling me to make the trek all the way back to see Palace Square at night, and I’m so glad I did.
Make sure that you make your way to the arch from Nevsky Prospect; seeing the square and the palace through the arch is incredible. 
Approaching the archway.
I gasped when I saw the Winter Palace straight ahead like this.
I just stood here and stared at the Alexander Column and the Winter Palace for a while.
Walking to the right gives you this beautiful angle.
The Winter Palace to the right and the Alexander Column to the left leaves a good view to imagine that you’re revolutionaries storm the palace.
The Alexander Column and the Building of the General Staff.
Looking directly at the column covering the entrance of the Building of the General Staff from the Winter Palace.
This is my favourite angle of the Winter Palace.
Back through the archways and to grab a bite to eat after a fantastic day.
Have you ever had an I’m really here moment at night and not during the day like I did here?
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