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The Palace Square is one of the reasons St. Petersburg is frequently called an open-air museum. On its northern side stands the Winter Palace, a pearl of Russian baroque architecture. The impressive yellow semi-circular building of the General Staff (the army head quarters) opposite it is a fine example of Russian classicism. In the centre of the square is the 47.5 meter Triumphal Column (also known as Alexander Column) that was erected in 1834 in honour of the victory over Napoleon.
The column is not secured to the ground and is stable due to gravity alone!