St Petersburg is truly a grand city, and what better way to experience such a place than with a visit to an exquisitely grand art gallery. The Hermitage Museum in the Winter Palace is of interest to all kinds of visitors to Russia, whether you're interested in the art on the walls, the building itself, or the history of the Russian monarchy.
History of the Hermitage
The largest part of the Hermitage Museum buildings - the collection spreads across six interlinked buildings running along St Petersburg's Neva River - is housed in the Winter Palace. This extraordinary building was completed in 1762, as a main residence of the Russian tsars.
Around this time, Catherine the Great started buying endless collections of art, and it is these that formed the basis for the Hermitage Museum, which officially opened in 1764. Understandably, Russia's tumultuous history impacted upon the Hermitage Museum too; it housed a temporary hospital during World War One and was taken over as a state museum in 1917.
What's Inside the Hermitage
Here's the catch. They say that if you spend ten seconds looking at each of the three million artworks in the Hermitage - and it's clear that ten seconds is nowhere near enough - it'll take you almost a whole non-stop year to see everything. If you have a bit les time, try to read up in advance to find out what rooms best meet your interests.
What you can't (and shouldn't) miss is the Jordan staircase - a sweeping set of steps leading from the entrance hall up into the first of the museum rooms. From there, though, everything is up for grabs. You can try the "getting lost" method of my first Hermitage visit: just wander, turn corners, gawk and gaze until your feet can't hold you up anymore and your brain is overflowing with imagery. Or you can plan to head to the rooms of your fancy: for example, any of the 120 rooms displaying nineteenth and twentieth century European paintings, including works from plenty of famous artists like Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, among many others. Similarly, if your interest lies in ancient Egyptian art and treasures there are rooms for you, and others featuring sculptures from all ages.
Visiting the Hermitage
Long queues can be a problem - try to book online before you go. Allow at least a full day to try to soak up some Hermitage Museum atmosphere, and remember to look at both the artwork and the incredible surroundings you'll find it in.
More information:
Find out more at the official Hermitage Museum website.
More information on Russia:
- Very East: Vladivostok
- Trans-Siberian Directions
- St Basil's Cathedral, Moscow
- Historic Travel in St Petersburg
- Homestay Accommodation in Russia
