View of Palace square from an open window of the Hermitage museum. Alexander Column on the right.
Facing the Winter Palace from the southern end of the square is the General Staff Building. Shaped as an arc, this Empire-style building was designed by the Italian architect Rossi. The facade of the General Staff Building stretches 580 meters and consists of two parts which are connected with a Triumphal Arch. Decorating the arch is a Roman-style chariot of the goddess of Victory which symbolizes Russia's victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 against Napoleon Bonaparte.