Since the early nineteenth century many generations of scholars have been trying to reveal the secrets of Peter the First"s vanished palaces: to define their location, to establish the character of their decor, and the peculiarities of their planning. Only in the 1980s did a group of Hermitage architects, among whose members was also the author of this book, completely succeed in doing so. Three Winter palaces were built in all in the period from 1708 to 1730. The monograph, the first in the series Architecture and History, covers the history of these palaces based on the richest archival sources. It is provided with a chronological table and a glossary of architectural terms. Name index. Supplements include seven articles on specific features of the palaces. 218 illustrations, including 58 in color. Summary in English. Bibliographical references.