The centerpiece of St Petersburg is Palace Square. With the Winter Palace on one side and the General Staff building on the other, it is enormous. The Alexander Column is the focal point of the square. Watching the view of this magnificent space unfold as you walk through the arch of the general staff building is a truly breathtaking experience. In 1905, it was the site of "Bloody Sunday" when palace guards opened fire on a group of striking workers, killing 100 and wounding over 300. This marked the start of the Russian Revolution