DK Travel : St Petersburg : The Hermitage

The Hermitage

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This grand ensemble of buildings, located on the bank of the Neva river, houses one of the world’s greatest art collections. Built up by successive tsars, the museum boasts priceless masterpieces by Picasso and Rembrandt, as well as exhibits devoted to prehistoric, Classical and Oriental art. The Hermitage also contains the Winter Palace, the pre-revolutionary residence of the tsars, and the headquarters for the Provisional Government after the initial 1917 Revolution . It has been said that it would take a visitor 11 years to examine every one of the Hermitage’s exhibits.
For a breathtaking and original view of the Hermitage, step off Nevskiy prospekt and, sticking to the left-hand side, follow Bolshaya Morskaya ulitsa to its very end – as the street bends round to the arch of the General Staff Building, the Hermitage is revealed in all its glory. As a visit to the Hermitage can easily take up an entire day, it is a good idea to have lunch on the premises, making use of the café on the ground floor. It is a good idea to book your tickets on the Hermitage website – this will save you having to queue on the day. Ninety-nine per cent of the Hermitage is dedicated to foreign art. Major works of Russian art are in the Russian Museum .

Top 10 Features

1. Palace Square

1. Palace Square

This imposing square, designed by Carlo Rossi, overlooks the Hermitage’s main entrance. The setting for the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1905,, the square today often hosts concerts and demonstrations.
2. Winter Palace

2. Winter Palace

The opulent Winter Palace was built for Tsarina Elizabeth between 1754–62. It contains the Malachite Room, decorated with over two tonnes of ornamental stone, and architect Rastrelli’s masterpiece, the Main Staircase.
3. The Old Hermitage

Designed by Yuriy Velten, the impressive Old Hermitage was constructed between 1771–87 to house Catherine the Great’s growing collection of paintings. It was opened as a public museum by Nicholas I in 1852.
4. The New Hermitage

4. The New Hermitage

This building was specifically designed as a museum because of Nicholas I’s desire to make the exhibits more accessible to the public.
5. General Staff Building

This landmark building’s two wings are connected by a magnificent double arch topped by Victory in her chariot (1892).
6. Alexander Column

This column is the world’s largest freestanding monument. Dedicated to Alexander I, it was erected in 1834.
7. Pavilion Hall

7. Pavilion Hall

This gold and white hall has striking marble columns and crystal chandeliers. It houses James Cox’s Peacock Clock, which was once owned by Prince Grigory Potemkin, Catherine’s secret husband.
8. Winter Palace State Rooms

8. Winter Palace State Rooms

These rooms were designed for state ceremonies. The St George Hall is used for state meetings even today.
9. Raphael Loggias

This corridor is a copy of the Vatican’s famous 16th-century gallery. It depicts 52 chronologically arranged biblical scenes.
10. Atlantes

10. Atlantes

Ten 5-m (16-ft) tall granite Atlantes prop up the former public entrance to the Hermitage. It is a tradition to rub the toe of one of them and make a wish.

Practical Information

For a breathtaking and original view of the Hermitage, step off Nevskiy prospekt and, sticking to the left-hand side, follow Bolshaya Morskaya ulitsa to its very end – as the street bends round to the arch of the General Staff Building, the Hermitage is revealed in all its glory. As a visit to the Hermitage can easily take up an entire day, it is a good idea to have lunch on the premises, making use of the café on the ground floor. Dvortsovaya nab. 30–8 710 9079 Open 10:30am–6pm Tue–Sat, 10:30am–5pm Sun Adm: 350 roubles; free on first Thu of every month www.hermitagemuseum.org