The iconic art museum of St. Petersburg has huge galleries with stately interiors, unique exhibitions and rare works of art. Therefore, the Hermitage is included in the list of the most popular art museums in the world, and is also recognized as one of the main prides of Russia.
The museum complex includes 5 branches located on Palace Embankment. These are the Winter Palace, the Hermitage Theater, the buildings of the Big, Small and New Hermitage. All of the listed objects are recognized as monuments of Russian architecture of the 18th-19th centuries. In them you will find more than 3 million paintings, sculptures, applied art and archaeological finds.
Of course, one visit is not enough to see all the assets of the museum. That's why .
How many halls are there in the Hermitage
Officially, the Hermitage has 365 rooms with exhibitions. However, their number may change after restoration or relocation of temporary exhibitions.
List of the most beautiful and famous halls of the Small Hermitage
Pavilion Hall
In this room you will not find chiseled statues or paintings, but its interior impresses with its luxury and elegance. The architect Andrei Stackenschneider created such beauty in the 19th century. The design of the space combines antique, Moorish and Renaissance styles. Snow-white columns, openwork gilded grilles, arches, and huge crystal chandeliers create the atmosphere of an oriental palace here.
Each corner and element of the Pavilion Hall represents a separate exhibition. Here you will see skillfully made shell fountains, copies of the Bakhchisarai Fountain of Tears in Crimea, and medallions with painted inserts. As you walk through the exhibition, don't forget to look down. The floor of the chambers is decorated with mosaics that were found in Rome. It depicts the head of the Gorgon Medusa and various scenes from Greek mythology. The beauty of the room is emphasized by marble statues and tabletops decorated with mosaics - creations of masters of the 19th century.
The most precious exhibit of the Pavilion Hall is the “Peacock” mechanical watch. At one time, Prince Potemkin gave them to Catherine II. They are made in the form of a sculptural composition consisting of a tree trunk with a dial and animals and birds sitting on the branches. Once a week the clock in the museum is wound, and at this time visitors can see it in action.
Loggias of Raphael
A magnificent ensemble that combines the subtlety of architecture, the richness of painting and sculpture. The loggias are a separate gallery consisting of 13 buildings. The inspiration for this place came from Vatican paintings, from which the frescoes were copied.
Every corner of the loggia, including columns and ceilings, is painted with paintings with biblical motifs. The entire composition includes 52 canvases dedicated to the Old Testament and 4 to the New. Thanks to the sequence of masters, you can enjoy the beauty of the paintings and read the main biblical motifs, starting with the story of Adam and Eve. Some reliefs of the gallery are decorated with outlandish drawings of animals and people, made in the grotesque style.
Main halls of the Winter Palace
Armorial Hall
One of the most spacious and majestic halls. The hall was designed by Vasily Stasov in 1839 to host gala evenings. This is evidenced by the huge chandeliers, golden columns and arched windows decorating the chambers. Today it houses a collection of Western European silver, in particular works by French masters dating back to the 18th century. The most interesting example was the service of Tom Germain, which belonged to Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. In the exhibition windows you can also see German silverware.
Alexander Hall
This spacious hall is dedicated to the memory of Alexander the First and combines Gothic elements with classicism. High snow-white-blue ceilings, arches decorated with stucco, chandeliers, massive columns together resemble the atmosphere of a temple. In the northern part of the chambers you will see a majestic portrait of the emperor.
On the walls of the Alexander Hall there are 24 medallions telling about the important stages of the Patriotic War. The dark blue showcases display an exposition of Western European silver dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Malachite living room
Another creation of Alexander Bryullov, created in 1837 on the site of the Jasper Room. Thanks to the decoration of precious stones, this small room is recognized as the most valuable in the building.
The main accents in the design are malachite columns, pilasters and two fireplaces. Many other exhibits are also made of stone: tabletops, bedside tables, vases. The walls are decorated with marble, the ceiling is decorated with a gilded pattern that copies the pattern on the floor. Crimson curtains and fabric on the chairs add contrast and solemnity to the room. Among the exhibits, the oldest are considered to be a tall flowerpot made of malachite and furniture preserved after the fire.
Maria Alexandrovna's living room
The room, which is quite small in size, is distinguished by luxurious decoration. Its decoration was designed by the architect Harald Bosse, and the style is defined as Rococo. A distinctive feature of the chambers are subtle ornate ornaments. They decorate every corner of the space. They are made of gilded carved wood and metal, and their abundance and subtlety of curves make the space lively and very elegant. The red silk trim adorning the walls, chairs, windows and doors adds special solemnity. Mirrors on the walls and ceiling create an unusual play of light. And the luxurious composition is completed by sculptural elements and paintings.
Maria Alexandrovna's living room
This hall ranks first on the list of the most luxurious corners of the museum. Another name for the room is the personal living room of Maria Alexandrovna, the wife of Emperor Alexander II. Its interior was created by the famous architect Alexander Bryullov.
The atmosphere of the room fully corresponds to its name. The walls, floor and stream literally shine with gold. Along the perimeter of the chambers there are small display cases in the shape of pyramids. Here you can see French and Italian jewelry. The walls and ceiling of the hall are decorated with fine patterned carvings and painted ornaments. The composition is complemented by heavy curtains, crystal chandeliers and golden doors.
From the guide you will learn that the Golden Living Room was the place where Emperor Alexander III first made important decisions on government reforms.
Concert hall
During the history of its existence, it was changed three times and acquired its final form in 1837. This hall has no equal in the richness of its sculptural decoration. The second tiers of its walls are decorated with statues of goddesses and ancient muses. The sculptural compositions smoothly connect to the ceiling, which gives the space additional volume. In addition to the luxurious design, you can see a rich collection of Russian silver from the 17th to 20th centuries. The most valuable exhibit is considered to be the silver shrine of Alexander Nevsky, made of 1.5 tons of precious metal.
White Hall
Located in the southwestern part of the Winter Palace. The hall was created from three living rooms and was supposed to become a place for celebrating the wedding of Alexander II. The design of the hall is in no way inconsistent with its name. Its white walls are decorated with columns crowned with sculptures of female figures. They symbolize various types of art. The empire style of the hall is emphasized by bas-relief figures depicting the gods of Olympus, as well as graceful arched openings.
Today in the White Hall there is an exhibition of French paintings of the 18th century, a collection of porcelain and furniture in the style of classicism.
Halls of the New Hermitage
Halls dedicated to Ancient Egypt
For lovers of Egyptian culture, definitely visit Hall No. 100, located on the first floor of the New Hermitage. It is here that you will find exhibits belonging to different historical periods of Ancient Egypt.
At the exhibition you will see how culture developed in Egypt from the emergence to the disappearance of the Middle Kingdom. In one room there is a large collection of sculpture, sarcophagi and household items. In the other you will find papyri, texts from the Book of the Dead, amulets with scarabs, jewelry, and various works of artistic craft.
The list of the most valuable items in the Egyptian halls includes a statue of Amenemhet the Third, depicting a pharaoh sitting on the throne. Another magnificent exhibit is the sculpture of the goddess Sekhmet. This is a granite figure of a woman with a lion's head, which is one of the most ancient Egyptian monuments.
There have been beliefs around the granite statue of Sekhmet for many years. Museum workers report that from time to time blood, or rather a red-orange wet coating, is visible on her knees. Most often it appears before disasters or tragic events.
Halls with monuments of Greece and Rome
A huge part of the New Hermitage, rooms 100-131, is dedicated to the culture of antiquity. Here you will see not only exhibits belonging to Roman and Greek culture, but also a stylish antique interior that adds brightness to the atmosphere.
Each room deserves its own viewing and represents an art collection belonging to a specific period of history. For example, in hall No. 128 you will see a large Kolyvan vase, reaching 5 meters in height and 3 meters in width. Exhibition No. 130 impresses visitors with huge paintings in the Greek-Egyptian style, a collection of amphorae, vases, and statues.
In rooms No. 107-110 there is a collection of sculptures of gods and Atlanteans. The most grandiose are the huge statue of Jupiter, “Venus of Tauride”, “Cupid and Psyche”, “The Death of Adonis”, and the sculpture “Muse of Tragedy”. Hall 109 is dedicated to the god of wine Dionysus. Its walls are painted in grape tones, contrastingly emphasizing the snow-white sculptures. We also recommend visiting rooms No. 111 – 114. They house antique vases of all shapes and sizes. The dominant feature of the exhibition is the statue of the “Resting Satyr” - a copy of the famous masterpiece of Praxiteles. Another interesting room is No. 121, where there is a collection of stones.
Knight's Hall
Has a huge collection of weapons, covering more than 15 thousand items. Here you can see tournament armor, swords, swords, hunting and firearms.
The main decoration of the hall is the exhibition of figures of knights in armor on horses. The effectiveness of the exhibits is emphasized by huge paintings depicting military operations.
Small and Large Italian gaps
The Small Clearance Gallery covers 29 rooms in which paintings by Italian artists from the 13th to the 18th centuries are exhibited. In Bolshoy Prosvet the main emphasis is on furniture and decor. Here you will see malachite vases, chairs, and a foyer. All rooms with works of art are decorated with stucco and gilded paintings.
Halls of the Great Hermitage
Hall of Titian
The room, which was intended for noble imperial guests, is located on the second floor. Its luxurious interior is complemented by works by Titian, a famous Renaissance artist. Among the most famous paintings you will find "Saint Sebastian", "Penitent Magdalene" and "Danae".
Hall of Leonardo da Vinci
One of the most popular places in the Great Hermitage. Here you will find two legendary masterpieces by the famous artist. These are “Madonna Benoit” and “Madonna Lita”. The significance of the works of art is emphasized by jasper columns, lapis lazuli inserts, picturesque panels and lampshades.
- Well, where did you go for the weekend?- Yes, I was in St. Petersburg.
- Did you go to the Hermitage?
This is roughly what dialogue with friends and acquaintances looks like, isn’t it? :) And not in vain...
- the largest art and historical and cultural museum in the world! The founding date is considered to be 1764, when Catherine the Great acquired a collection of 255 paintings in Berlin. At the moment, the Hermitage has about 3 million exhibits and displays the culture and art of different countries and peoples. They say that if you spend 1 minute examining one exhibit, it will take 11 years to study them all.
The main building of the Hermitage - Winter Palace decorates the main staircase, named Jordanian. It received this name because during the feast of Epiphany a religious procession descended along it to the Neva, where an ice hole was cut out for the blessing of water, the so-called Jordan. Previously, the staircase was called Posolskaya.
It occupies the entire height of the building. 
The lampshade "Olympus" is a picturesque illustration occupying 200 square meters. 
Rising to the second floor we find ourselves in Field Marshal's Hall. A luxurious chandelier catches your eye. Portraits of Russian field marshals are placed in the walls, which explains the name of the hall. 
Petrovsky (Small Throne) Hall. Dedicated to the memory of Peter I. 
In a niche designed in the form of a triumphal arch there is a throne, and above it is the painting “Peter I with the goddess of wisdom Minerva”. 
Armorial Hall was intended for ceremonial receptions. One of the largest ceremonial rooms of the Hermitage. In the center of the hall there is an aventurine bowl. 
At the entrance to the hall there are sculptures of ancient Russian warriors with banners. 
The hall is surrounded by a colonnade supporting a balcony with a balustrade 
It was created according to the design of Karl Rossi in honor of the victory of the Russian Empire over Napoleonic France. 
On the walls of the gallery there are 332 portraits of generals who participated in the War of 1812 and foreign campaigns of 1813-1814. The authors of the paintings are George Dawe, Polyakov and Golike. In the center is a large portrait of Alexander I on horseback, painted by the Berlin court artist Kruger. 
On the left is a full-length portrait of Kutuzov. 
St. George's Hall or Great throne room. Official ceremonies and receptions took place here. Above the Throne Place there is a bas-relief “St. George slaying the dragon with a spear.” 
The large imperial throne was created in London by order of Anna Ioannovna. 
Having moved to the Small Hermitage we go to Pavilion Hall. The interior design combines various architectural styles: motifs of antiquity, Renaissance and the East.
Marble columns rise up to molded gold-cut lace, from which gilded chandeliers hang. 
Four marble fountains - copies of the "Fountain of Tears" in Bakhchisarai Palace, decorate the walls of the hall. 
A halved copy of a Roman mosaic found during excavations of the baths in 1780 in the city of Ocriculum. Characters from ancient mythology are presented here: in the center is the head of the Gorgon-Medusa, the god Neptune and the inhabitants of his sea kingdom, the fighting Lapith and the Centaur. 
Gilded watch. 
The main attraction of the Pavilion Hall is the Peacock clock. They were purchased by Prince Potemkin for Empress Catherine. The author of the machine was James Cox, a famous jeweler and inventor of complex mechanisms in those years. The watch was brought to St. Petersburg in disassembled form. They were collected by the Russian master Ivan Kulibin. An important feature of this clock is that it still works: the owl spins its head, blinks its eyes and plays a melody with the help of bells that are attached to its cage, the peacock spreads its tail and bows to the audience, and the rooster crows. All figures move as if they were alive. 
Hanging Garden in front of the Pavilion Hall. Let me remind you that we are on the second floor. 
On Soviet stairs. The name is explained by the fact that the premises of the State Council were located on the ground floor. On the upper platform there is a malachite vase created in the mid-19th century in Yekaterinburg. 
Rembrandt Hall. The photo shows the painting “Danae”, based on an ancient Greek myth. The god Zeus, in the form of golden rain, penetrated to Danae, who was in prison, after which she gave birth to Perseus.
There was an attempt on this painting in 1985. The man poured sulfuric acid on it and cut the painting twice with a knife. The attacker explained his act with political motives, but the court declared him mentally ill and placed him in a psychiatric hospital. 
Great Italian skylight. The hall presents an exposition of Italian painting of the 17th-18th centuries. 
Tabletop element made of 19th-century malochite. 
Sculpture "Death of Adonis". Based on the ancient Roman poem "Metamorphoses". 
Majolica Hall.
One of the two masterpieces in the hall is Raphael's painting "Madonna Conestabile", painted in 1504. 
Knight's Hall- one of the large ceremonial interiors of the Small Hermitage. There is a rich collection of weapons here, numbering about 15 thousand items. 
Main staircase New Hermitage. 
Panther in Hall of Dionysus, which was created for the exhibition of ancient sculpture. 
Aphrodite - the goddess of beauty and love (Venus Tauride) II century. It was found during excavations in Rome at the beginning of the 18th century. And Peter I brought it to St. Petersburg. The sculpture decorated the Tauride Palace, which is where the name came from. 
Jupiter Hall.
Sarcophagus "Wedding Ceremony". All the walls of the marble Roman sarcophagus depict relief figures revealing scenes of weddings, hunting and everyday life. And the lid is dedicated to the gods of Olympus. 
Statue of Jupiter, late 1st century. It is one of the largest ancient sculptures preserved in museums in the world. It is 3.5 meters high.
In his right hand, Jupiter holds a figurine of Victoria, the goddess of victory. 
Hall of the Great Vase. Covered with a vault with stucco decoration, the hall is decorated with arched loggias and white marble columns. Even before the walls were covered with artificial marble, the Kolyvan vase made of jasper, more than 2.5 m high and weighing 19 tons, was installed. Work on its creation, due to its enormous size, took place right at the quarry for 12 years. In 1843 the vase was completed. It was transported to St. Petersburg first by land, where there were up to 160 horses in the harness, then on a special barge by water, and 770 people worked on installation in the hall. 
Hall of Ancient Egypt. It was created in 1940, on the site of the Winter Palace buffet. The name of the hall speaks for itself: here is an exposition dedicated to Ancient Egypt, covering the period from the 4th millennium BC to the turn of our era. 
Bas-relief in the corridor between the halls. 
Twenty-column hall. Two rows of monolithic columns made of Serdobol granite divide it into three parts. The paintings on the walls and mosaic floors are made in the style of the ancient tradition. The hall houses a collection of art from Ancient Italy from the late 9th to 2nd centuries. BC. 
IN Big yard The Winter Palace exhibits the sculpture "Snow Tower" - the image of a boy on crutches, carrying a house on his back, the belt of which strangles him. Author Enrique Martinez Zelaya says the main theme is "the idea of the loss of a child's ability to perceive the brilliance of the world around and the appearance of spiritual opacity, which is always accompanied by disappointment", the sculpture also reveals an emigrant theme. 
Oh no, going to the Hermitage once is not enough! After the first visit, only a general concept of the museum’s structure is created. It seems to me that the Hermitage is like "War and Peace" - a book that needs to be read several times at different ages so that each time a new meaning appears. Only you need to go to this world-class museum much more often and discover something new every time! 
Summer, white nights, school holidays - a time of incredible queues at the State Hermitage. If you are not ready to overpay for a ticket in the terminal or on the Internet, then you are guaranteed a long wait among those wishing to get into one of the main museums in Russia.
When, after all, is it better to visit the State Hermitage on Palace Square, so as not to waste your precious time in queues?
July 2016
July 2016
— Not during the high tourist season (from May to September), summer holidays and holidays.
— Don’t try to get into the Hermitage on Tuesday morning. Monday is a day off, and many tourists come for 2-3 days with the desire to visit "everything". Missed Monday will show itself on Tuesday morning in a large queue.
— On the day when you can enter the museum for free. The queues can stretch across the entire Palace Square. Your time and nerves are not worth this test.
— On Wednesday the museum is open until 21:00. If you come at 17-18 hours, when the bulk of the tourists have already subsided, there is a hope to skip the line to get to the museum and calmly look at the works of art. Please note that most wardrobes are open until 6pm on Wednesday.
— Come in the morning, about half an hour before the museum opens. At 10.30 4 cash registers will open, two on the left and two on the right. You will be able to get into the Hermitage in the first rows.
— You can buy a ticket at any travel agency. Travel agencies purchase tickets for groups. And if you are told that the tour is at 11 o'clock, then at 11.00 you will get to the museum together with the group. In just one hour, everything will be quickly shown and told. You may not even see or hear everything, but you are already in the museum. And you can spend the “free” time after the tour on a thorough tour of the expositions.
- The main secret. The best day to visit the Hermitage is December 31st. There are no queues and the halls are almost empty!
You can also visit the Hermitage, bypassing the huge queues, with more expensive tickets:
— By purchasing an electronic voucher on the website www.hermitageshop.ru/tickets (ticket price 580 rubles). The e-voucher is valid for 6 months from the date of order. The voucher is exchanged at a special box office, under the arch behind the Main Gate of the Winter Palace (entrance from Palace Square).
- At the terminals installed in the Great Courtyard of the Winter Palace (ticket price is 600 rubles). After purchasing tickets, you can immediately enter the exhibition. Please note that discount tickets cannot be purchased through the terminal.
But during the high tourist season, there may also be queues at the terminals and special ticket offices for exchanging an electronic voucher.
If you went to the museum and need to hand over things, but there are no places in the wardrobe, be prepared for this. Bring a large bag with you and put your things in it. There are no places in the wardrobe, but there are free metal cells where you can put your things.
In the wardrobe, go to the very end, there may still be space there. There are almost always “NO PLACES” signs at the beginning. Sometimes the cloakroom attendants leave a few places for foreigners who can give tea and sugar.
Opening hours of the Hermitage on Palace Square:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 10-30 to 18-00 (the box office is open from 10-30 to 17-30).
Wednesday from 10-30 to 21-00 (ticket office open from 10-30 to 20-30).
Every first Thursday of the month is a free day.
The State Hermitage Museum, located in St. Petersburg near the Neva River, is, without exaggeration, known throughout the world. This is a museum that is rich in a huge number of exhibits that help to study the development of world artistic culture and history. It should be noted that the Hermitage as a museum plays a huge role and is not inferior to other museums located abroad.
The uniqueness of the Hermitage
The rich history of this museum began during the reign of Catherine II. As the story goes, the empress first accepted some paintings from a German merchant, who gave the paintings to pay off his debt. The paintings fascinated Catherine, and she created her own collection, which gradually became larger and larger. The Empress specifically hired people who traveled to Europe to purchase new paintings. When the collection became very large, it was decided to open a public museum, for which a separate building was built.
How many rooms and floors are there in the Hermitage
The Winter Palace is a three-story building with 1084 rooms. Among the most famous are:
Note! In total, the museum has about 365 rooms. Among them are the Small Dining Room, the Malachite Living Room, and Maria Alexandrovna’s chambers. A diagram of the Hermitage halls with names will help a tourist navigate all these rooms.
Hermitage: floor plan
The Hermitage is a whole complex, which includes 5 buildings built in different years.
Winter Palace
This is the central building, built by the famous architect B.F. Rastrelli in the second half of the 18th century in the Baroque style. We must also pay tribute to those craftsmen who restored the building after the fires.
On a note. Now inside the Winter Palace, which previously acted as the imperial palace, is the main exposition of the Hermitage. The building is built in the shape of a quadrangle, inside which there is a courtyard.
Small Hermitage
It was built a little later than the Winter Palace. Its architects: Y. M. Felten and J. B. Wallen-Delamot. It was so named because Catherine 2 spent entertaining evenings here, which were called small hermitages. The building includes 2 pavilions - the North, which housed the winter garden, and the South. Another component of the Small Hermitage is a hanging garden with picturesque compositions.
Great Hermitage
It was built after the Small Hermitage, and since it was larger than it, it received this name. Although this building is made in more strict forms, it fits perfectly into the ensemble and, moreover, complements it. The interiors are decorated with expensive wood, gilding and stucco. Architect – Yuri Felten.
On the second floor of the Great Hermitage there are halls of Italian painting, where you can see the works of outstanding artists: Leonardo da Vinci, Titian or Raphael. Copies of the latter artist’s frescoes decorate the so-called Raphael Loggias, a gallery located in the Great Hermitage.
Note! The many arches of the gallery divide it into several compartments. The walls are decorated with copies of frescoes. The Apostolic Palace in the Vatican was taken as the basis.
New Hermitage
The main façade of this building is known for its porch. This is a portico that previously served as an entrance. It differs in that there are granite statues of Atlanteans holding a balcony on it. Work on them took 2 whole years. Everything else is made of limestone. The sculptures amaze with their fine workmanship and elegance of execution, giving the building a sublime and noble appearance. The building itself was built in neo-Greek style.
Hermitage Theater
Architect - G. Quarenghi, style - classicism. The theater is connected to the rest of the buildings of the complex by an arch-transition, where a gallery was opened. Many talented artists performed on this stage, and balls were often held here. It should be noted that the theater played a big role in the development of cultural life. The foyer has preserved ceilings from the 18th century. The inspiration for the theater hall was the Italian Teatro Olimpico.
Where can I get the Hermitage guidebook?
To avoid getting lost in the huge halls of the Hermitage, a map of the Hermitage is offered free of charge next to the ticket office at the main entrance. It shows a diagram of the Hermitage with all the halls available for visiting, their names and numbers.
Hermitage map
Museum exhibits
How many exhibits are there in the Hermitage? Their number exceeds 3 million! This is certainly a huge number. What is there in the Hermitage? Among the most unique exhibits with an interesting history are the following:
- Peacock watch in the Hermitage. They were brought by order of Potemkin. The master is D. Cox from England. To deliver the watch safely, it had to be disassembled. But subsequent assembly turned out to be quite difficult due to lost or broken parts. And only towards the end of the 18th century the clock started working again, thanks to the efforts of a skilled Russian master. This exhibit amazes with its beauty and luxury: the cage with the owl rotates, and the peacock even spreads its tail;
- Feodosia earrings. The technique that was used to make them is graining. These are small gold or silver balls that are soldered onto jewelry. These earrings depict a composition showing competitions in Athens. Although many jewelers tried to repeat this masterpiece, they failed, since the method of creating Feodosian earrings is unknown;
- figure of Peter 1, made of wax. Foreign craftsmen were invited to create it. A figure in red robes sits majestically on a throne.
As a separate exhibit, for which it is also worth visiting this museum, one can name its interiors. Inside the Hermitage you can see quite majestic, sometimes sophisticated, halls decorated with a variety of elements. It's a pleasure to walk through them.
Peacock watch
How many paintings are there in the Hermitage?
In total, the Hermitage contains about 15 thousand different paintings from the pens of artists of the 13th-20th centuries. Now such paintings are of great interest and cultural value.
The Hermitage collection began with 225 paintings given by a German dealer. In the second half of the 18th century, paintings collected by Count Bruhl were brought from Germany, and paintings from the collection of the French Baron Crozat were purchased. Thus, works by such artists as Rembrandt, Raphael, Van Dyck and others appeared in the museum.
1774 is a memorable date when the first museum catalog was published. It already contained more than 2 thousand paintings. A little later, the collection was replenished with 198 works from the collection of R. Walpole and 119 paintings from Count Baudouin.
On a note. Do not forget that at that time the museum kept not only paintings, but also many memorable items, such as figurines, stone products, coins.
The turning point was the fire of 1837, as a result of which the interiors of the Winter Palace did not survive. However, thanks to the quick work of the craftsmen, the building was restored within a year. They managed to remove the paintings, thanks to which the masterpieces of world art were not damaged.
Those who want to visit the Hermitage should definitely see the following canvases:
- Leonardo da Vinci "Madonna Litta"(work of the Renaissance). There are 19 paintings by this famous artist in the world, 2 of which are kept in the Hermitage. This canvas was brought from Italy in the 19th century. The second canvas by this artist is “Benois Madonna”, painted in oil paints;
- Rembrandt "Return of the Prodigal Son". The canvas is based on the Gospel of Luke. In the center is the returned son, kneeling before his father, who mercifully receives him. This masterpiece was acquired back in the 18th century;
- V. V. Kandinsky “Composition 6”. The canvas of this famous avant-garde artist occupies a place of honor in the museum. There is even a separate room reserved for his work. This picture amazes viewers with a riot of colors;
- T. Gainsborough "The Lady in Blue". It is believed to be a portrait of Countess Elizabeth Beaufort. Her image is very light and natural. Refinement and airiness are achieved with the help of light strokes, a dark background and light colors to depict a girl;
- Caravaggio "The Lute Player". The details in this picture are worked out to the smallest detail. Both the crack on the lute and the notes are depicted. In the middle of the canvas is a young man playing. His face expresses many complex emotions, which the author was able to skillfully portray.
Paintings from the Hermitage collection
More detailed information describing what is in the Hermitage can be found on its official website.
The Hermitage can be called one of the most important cultural centers, which is of great importance for the whole world, because masterpieces of various artists from various times are collected here. This is one of the richest and most important collections in the world.
IN Hermitage I wanted to get there for a very, very long time! This is one of the largest museums not only in Russia, but also in the world! And given my interest in art in general, this museum was my number one on my list of early plans!
P.S. Attention! There is a lot of information and about 110 photos under the cut!
State Hermitage Museum, is not just a great museum, because at first the building, where today an endless number of people go, was conceived as the Winter Palace - the main residence of the Russian tsars! It was the center of the empire that Peter I conceived. The fate and history of Russia was decided here! Many years later, the museum fits perfectly here, which originated in 1764, as a private collection Catherine II, after the first 225 valuable paintings were transferred to her from Berlin.
It is not known why she purchased them, because she was not particularly interested in the paintings, but thanks to this purchase, the great history of the museum began!
Hermitage collection was significantly replenished thanks to Catherine’s greed and orders to buy paintings in bulk! The exhibition was complemented by the interest in art of Russian aristocrats, resellers and a large number of excavations of ancient burial mounds. Subsequently, Russian tsars and queens received many works of art as a gift, as a sign of respect! In just 20 years, a huge number of unique exhibits were collected, and new buildings were built to store the best collection in Europe!
Gradually the museum received the name "Hermitage", which is translated from French "Ermitage", means Personal peace, or Hermitage. In general, it was so, under the grandson of Catherine II, Alexander I, only selected high-ranking officials could get here, exclusively on recommendations or passes in the amount of no more than 5 people, accompanied by a footman, and then not in the Palace part, but only in the attached new buildings ! The Winter Palace was closed to everyone for a long time! Then there was a certain division of the collection, which was sorted into cases, something went to be shown to selected people, and vice versa, to hide some exhibits from unnecessary eyes.
The history of the museum is not so long, but it has managed to tell a variety of events, such as December 17, 1837 he survived one of the most monumental fires in the history of the Russian Empire. As a result of a terrible fire, the second and third floors of the Winter Palace were completely burned out, including interiors by F.B. Rastrelli, Quarenghi, Montferrand and Rossi! Surprisingly, a lot has survived. The fire lasted about 30 hours, and the building itself smoldered for almost three days. It took more than a year to restore the damaged palace.
Also, few people know, but until the early 30s of the 20th century, the facade of the Winter Palace was painted in different colors, from yellow to red! In the 1950s it was gradually repainted azure green.
Here is a still from a documentary shown on Russia 2 TV channel - Hermitage, National Treasures.
In the 20th century, the Hermitage also faced a difficult fate! Intensive industrialization was underway and the country needed money to develop the economy. The management decided to start selling collections! It was very difficult to confront the Soviet bureaucratic machine. That’s right, from 1928 to 1934, knight’s armor, ceremonial dinnerware, Scythian gold, antique coins, icons, and then paintings went under the hammer at auctions in London and Berlin. Imagine, it turns out that Catherine and her followers did everything right, because before the collection was made public, they carefully guarded it and only replenished it! Even during the fire, almost everything was saved, but at the cost of many human lives, but then they just took it and decided to sell what was lying badly and gathering dust on the wall. In two years, the number of items confiscated from the Hermitage reaches 20 thousand! Among which there are almost 3000 paintings!
Unfortunately, this is true, but many of the works that Catherine herself bought are hanging in museums in London, New York, Lisbon, Washington, Paris. Even with all this disgrace that happened during the Soviet years, the Hermitage is still considered a world-famous museum and collection!
At that time, only museum employees knew about the sale of the collection, because it was only opened to the public in 1954! For the first time, people saw the richest collections of monuments of ancient Eastern, ancient Egyptian, ancient and medieval cultures, art of Western and Eastern Europe, archaeological and artistic monuments of Asia, Russian culture of the 8th-19th centuries. There were queues for many kilometers!
I visited it in August 2015, and I can say that the number of people wishing to visit the museum has not decreased! A few days before the visit, I purchased an electronic ticket on the Internet, because I knew how much time I could lose in lines. I recommend choosing this method; you bypass all the lines and go straight to the museum’s ticket office, where you exchange your e-ticket for a regular one.
You can purchase it using the link below: Electronic tickets to the Hermitage.
Getting to the museum couldn't be easier! It is located in the very center of St. Petersburg and, as it were, embraces Palace Square cities from all sides! Nearest metro station, - Admiralteyskaya.
Official website of the Gallery: https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/
The main building of the Hermitage, also known as the Winter Palace of Peter I. It was a wonderful day, and the bright sun was shining over St. Petersburg!
Opening hours of the State Hermitage:
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 10:30 - 18:00 pm.
Wednesday, Friday: 10:30 - 21:00 pm.
Every first Thursday of every month, admission to the museum is free!
Photography without flash is permitted.
Ticket prices varies from 300 to 600 rubles depending on the number of objects visited. Electronic tickets are usually more expensive and reach up to 1000 rubles per ticket, but they have a number of advantages, which I have already mentioned.
I would like to tell you what is inside the Hermitage today!
Cash register.
Here they exchanged my ticket from an electronic one to a regular one.
Ticket.
They also gave very detailed Museum plan diagram not to get lost! I'm posting it here, because I believe that it can be very useful to many for planning their visit.
The Hermitage consists of several buildings, namely the Winter Palace, the Small Hermitage, the New Hermitage, the Large (Old) Hermitage and the Winter Palace of Peter I with the Hermitage Theater.
1st Floor.
2nd Floor.
3rd Floor.
Once inside I realized that Hermitage Museum,- it is also a museum within a museum! After all, the interior of the palace is stunning, and its interior decoration, columns and paintings are amazing! Tour guides say it will take 11 years to explore it inside and out! The total length of the corridors is 22 kilometers!
First I got into Hall dedicated to the Antiquities of the Middle East.
Then he gradually moved into Egyptian Hall, where there were tombs of the rulers of Egypt and limestone tablets with hieroglyphs.
Jupiter Hall with sculptures at the head of which sits the supreme god of the Romans, - Jupiter.
Goddess of love Venus.
IN Antique courtyard I met Eros with a shell.
Asclepius,- Ancient Greek god of medicine.
Athena,- goddess of war. It looked like she was taking a selfie with her phone. :)
Amphora.
And here Hall of Culture and Art of the Ancient Cities of the Northern Black Sea Coast, which presents many exhibits found during excavations on Mount Mithridates, in the city of Kerch And Taman Peninsula, Krasnodar Territory. All exhibits are from the times of the Bosporan Kingdom.
Marble sarcophagus from Myrmekium.
A lion standing on a tomb.
Wooden sarcophagus with carved arches.
A hall Hellenistic culture Coins and jewels are presented.
Golden laurel wreath.
Gold necklaces and earrings.
And also gold rings.
Plaster cast of the Gonzaga Cameo. Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II(was temporarily in the Hermitage).
Cameo. Zeus. Sardonyx. Gold.
Hellenistic gold and silver coins.
Mosaic glass bowl.
Hall of large vases. There is a bowl made of Revnevskaya jasper from Altai. It is considered the largest vase in the world!
Very beautiful Twenty-column hall.
Greater Hydria, also known as "Queen of Vaz".
I decided to go up the stairs.
Another Vase was waiting for me when I returned, this time from Malachite.
1469-1529. Giovanni della Robbia - Christmas.
There has been a noticeable increase in people here, and they are looking not only at the exhibits framed behind glass, but also at the walls and ceiling! Because he is incredibly beautiful.
And here is the Leonardo Da Vinci Hall. Here hang the famous works of the artist! To look at and photograph his paintings, I had to stand in line for about 5 minutes.
1478-1480. Leonardo da Vinci - Madonna and Child.
Leonardo da Vinci - Madonna and Child (Madonna Litta).
1512-1513. Sodoma (Giovanni Antonio Bazzi) - Leda.
1508-1549. Giampietrino (Gian Pietro Rizzoli) - Penitent Mary Magdalene.
Foyer of the Hermitage Theater.
Loggia Raphael! She strongly reminded me of a similar corridor in the galleries in Florence!
The Italian art did not end there!
1740. Michele Giovanni - Rialto Bridge in Venice.
1726-1727. Antonio Canal (Canaletto) - Reception of the French Ambassador in Venice.
The halls of the Italian schools are magnificent! Not without reason, because it was built by Nicholas I and named as "New Hermitage".
1730. Giovanni Battista Tiepolo - Triumph of the commander Mania Curia Dantata.
1647. Paulus Potter - Punishment of the hunter.
1651. Salomon van Ruysdael - Ferry crossing in the vicinity of Arnhem.
1611-1613. Peter Paul Rubens - Head of an Old Man.
1612. Peter Paul Rubens - Christ crowned with thorns.
In fact, the whole hall was given to Rubens here!
1640. Abraham Mignon - Flowers in a vase.
1530. Lucas Cranach the Elder - Madonna and Child under an apple tree.
1770. Peacock watch made of bronze and silver.
IN pavilion hall a copy of the floor of an antique mosaic was laid out, the original is in the Vatican.
St. George's Hall (Great Throne Hall).
Foot bench of the throne commissioned by Empress Anna Ioannovna in London.
Military Portrait Gallery The Winter Palace was created according to the design of K.I. Rossi in 1826 in honor of Russia's victory over Napoleonic France. Built specially by Alexander I.
Armorial Hall! Intended for ceremonial receptions.
1876 Saber of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolanvich the Elder.
Awards of Nikolai Nikolanvich the Younger.
Suddenly I was in Great Church of the Winter Palace or Cathedral of the Savior Not Made by Hands.
From one of the halls of the Hermitage there was an excellent view of Palace Square!
IN Alexander Hall silver products are presented.
In the hall UK art costs Wine cooling tub, performed by Charles Candler, is a unique work that has no equal in any museum in the world.
1780. Thomas Gainsborough - Lady in Blue.
1779. Joseph Wright of Derby - Fireworks. Castle St. Angela (Girandola).
1766. Vigilius Eriksen - Portrait of Count Grigory Grigorievich Orlov.
Sabers and cuirass breastplate.
Tray dish "Apotheosis of Catherine II" depicting an allegory of Catherine’s journey to Crimea in 1787.
Mug, decorated with Western European coins.
Catherine II's uniform suit.
Malachite living room.
Large malachite bowl on a tripod in the form of winged female figures.
Concert hall.
It costs tomb of Alexander Nevsky! Was under restoration.
IN Nicholas Hall there was an exhibition of British architect Zaha Hadid.
In the center Antechamber was installed in 1958 Rotunda with malachite columns and a gilded bronze dome.
Well, that's all, I went out.
When I left the Hermitage it was almost evening, it turns out that I spent half a day in the museum. And I watched only a small part, and on the blog I told everything in a more condensed version.
I must say, even this gives an idea of the grandiose scale of the museum and its amazing collection!
I went out to Palace Square, on which stood a horse-drawn carriage. It feels like I was transported many hundreds of years into the past during the time of Peter and Catherine!
It was great! The Hermitage left a very pleasant impression! Thanks to everyone who maintains and stores such a priceless treasure in the center of the Northern capital of Russia!
This is not just a museum, it is a real palace and a museum within a museum, which is very pleasant to just walk around. The exhibition shows the development of world art from the Stone Age to the end of the 20th century. This is a huge period that is very difficult to fit into one day. Therefore, many come specifically to St. Petersburg during the off-season to devote a few days to the Hermitage and experience all its value.
If you came to St. Petersburg and did not visit its museums, then you wasted your time! I highly recommend combining a walk around the city and a must visit State Hermitage Museum And