Miniatures of the medal "For the restoration of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. 1838-1839."
The fire in the Winter Palace of Saint Petersburg, then the official residence of the Russian emperors, occurred on December 17, 1837, and was caused by soot inflammation. The Palace burned for three days, and the glow was visible for 50–75 km. Thirty guardsmen died in the fire, although nearly all the items were saved (notably the imperial throne, guards banners, portraits of Russian generals from the Field Marshals' Hall and Military Gallery and the utensils of the Grand Church).
The Medal "For the Restoration of the Winter Palace/Медаль За возобновление Зимнего дворца" was intended for individuals who carried out work on the restoration of the Winter Palace in 1838. It was established in December 1838 by decree of Nicholas I. The medal had two main versions - gold and silver. Obverse: above the monogram of Nicholas II, along the edge of the medal is the inscription: “THANK YOU.” The reverse side of the medal depicts the front façade of the Winter Palace. At the top is an inscription: “ZEAL OVERCOMES EVERYTHING.” Below the image is a horizontal inscription in three lines: "RESORATION BEGAN IN 1838. CONSECRATED IN 1839".
Gold, silver, enamel.
Size 33х11 mm /medal diameter 15.3 mm/.
Collection of State Historical Museum in Moscow.
The fire in the Winter Palace of Saint Petersburg, then the official residence of the Russian emperors, occurred on December 17, 1837, and was caused by soot inflammation. The Palace burned for three days, and the glow was visible for 50–75 km. Thirty guardsmen died in the fire, although nearly all the items were saved (notably the imperial throne, guards banners, portraits of Russian generals from the Field Marshals' Hall and Military Gallery and the utensils of the Grand Church).
The facades and parade halls were restored by Vasily Stasov and inner rooms by Alexander Briullov. In 1838–39 the fire walls, new stone and cast-iron staircases as well as new funnels were installed. All the wood was replaced by iron, cast-iron and brick. By the end of 1838 the expenses on these works exceeded 100,000 rubles.
The Medal "For the Restoration of the Winter Palace/Медаль За возобновление Зимнего дворца" was intended for individuals who carried out work on the restoration of the Winter Palace in 1838. It was established in December 1838 by decree of Nicholas I. The medal had two main versions - gold and silver. Obverse: above the monogram of Nicholas II, along the edge of the medal is the inscription: “THANK YOU.” The reverse side of the medal depicts the front façade of the Winter Palace. At the top is an inscription: “ZEAL OVERCOMES EVERYTHING.” Below the image is a horizontal inscription in three lines: "RESORATION BEGAN IN 1838. CONSECRATED IN 1839".
Gold, silver, enamel.
Size 33х11 mm /medal diameter 15.3 mm/.
Collection of State Historical Museum in Moscow.