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Written, under the order of Prince Odoievsky-Maslov, Chief of Administration of the Imperial Court in Moscow, by S. de Bartenev
St. Vladimir Hall
So called in honor of the Order of St. Vladimir, founded 22 September 1782, with the motto "Service, Honor, Glory", and intended to reward the entited civilians.
The walls and pillars are made of stucco imitating pink marble; the base of the walls are formed of large arches; below the cornice which runs along on these arches is a row of smaller blind arcades, and behind that is a short platform.
The vault of the hall is a cloister arch. In order to keep it lighter in weight it was built out of terracotta.
The cornice and dome are decorated with gilt ornaments, the work of Dylev, and the insignia of the Order of St. Valdimir.
The hall is lit by two rows of windows on the west side, and above, by a huge lamp which dominates the vast dome.
From the lamp a bronze chandelier descends, which weighs 3,931.29 kilos, which is the work of the Chopin Foundry. In the semi-circular arches are four gilt candelabras. The furniture is comprised of gilded benches upholstered in silk, with the colors of the ribbon of the Order of St. Vladimir.
On the days of the great ceremonies, the representatives of the Merchants and Bourgoisie will gather in this hall.
The St. Vladimir Hall was built on top of the famous Boyars Terrace and a portion of this yet remains in existence on the side of the interior courtyard of the palace.
Before Peter the Great, the Boyars Terrace served as the gathering spot for all of the Grand Masters, law makers and other functinaries of the Nobility who did not have the right of entry into the Tsar's apartments. Every morning here they would hear the news concerning the ukazes and appointments which the Boyars close to the Tsar would proclaim while descending from His Apartments
Occupying a part of the ancient Boyars Terrace and found between the Palace of Facets, the Terems Palace and St. George's Hall, the St. Vladimir Hall joins the ancient parts of the Palace of the 16th and 17th centuries with the new construction of the 19th century. Thanks to this, a rather large number of buildings, and architecture, so very diverse are found in this one place.
A double staircase, attached to the exterior wall of the St. Vladimir Hall, leads to the platforms and the ancient Terrace of the Savior-on-High.
