Discovering St. Petersburg's Winter Palace with Vadim Malinovsky

Completed in 1762, the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia, was considered the main imperial residence for a century and a half. Being the center of the country's political life, it was also the residence of the royal family during the cold season. Obviously, the interiors of the palace were transformed in accordance with the needs and tastes of the royal owners, the internal layout of various parts of the building changed, and new living spaces appeared throughout its history. 

During this seminar, we will discuss everyday aspects of the life of Russian monarchs in the Winter Palace: traditional ceremonies and entertainments, people who worked at the Winter Palace during various periods of its history. 

Led by historian Vadim Malinovsky, this seminar will give a deep dive into the lifestyle of different generations of the Russian emperors and Empresses. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with extra knowledge about the Winter Palace as a place to live but not as a place for official receptions.