It was Carlo Rossi who gave Palace Square its current look when he built this grandiose edifice across from the imperial residence. The General Staff Building occupies the entire southern side of the square, its curved façade stretching out for 580m. Built between 1819 and 1829, it is composed of two semicircular wings connected by a majestic triumphal arch. Its décor evokes the Russian victory over Napoleon's army. The arch is topped by a winged Glory on a chariot by Stepan Pimenov and Vassili Demouth-Malinovski.