The Hermitage (officially the State Hermitage Museum) is one of the most famous museums in the world. Spread over several buildings lining the Neva River in St. Petersburg, this museum is way too large to see in just a few hours. Most cruisers visit with a tour group on a half-day excursion and can see many of the art pieces and gaze at the beautiful decor.
The Hermitage was once the palace of Catherine the Great, who used it as a private place of retreat and solitude, or a Hermitage. Tours enter through the Winter Palace on the ground floor and walk up the magnificent Jordan Staircase to the first floor. The rooms on the first floor are breathtaking, with many of the rooms restored as they were during Imperial times. The second floor is not architecturally as dramatic as the first floor, but has many important French paintings. Be sure to glance through the windows on the second floor for a great view of the Palace Square and the Alexander Column.
- Malachite Vase near the Council Staircase of the Hermitage MuseumMalachite Vase near the Council Staircase of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg
- Carved Wooden Door at the Hermitage Museum in St. PetersburgCarved Wooden Door at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg
- Doorways in the Hermitage MuseumDoorways in the Hermitage Museum
- Hermitage Theater Foyer Connects the Large Hermitage to the TheaterHermitage Theater Foyer Connects the Large Hermitage to the Theater
- Drawing Room at the Hermitage MuseumDrawing Room at the Hermitage Museum
- Hermitage Museum - One of the Hundreds of Interior RoomsHermitage Museum
- Paintings in the Hermitage MuseumPaintings in the Hermitage Museum
- Chandeliers in the HermitageChandeliers in the Hermitage
- Gallery in the HermitageGallery in the Hermitage
- Elaborate Ceiling Paintings at the HermitageElaborate Ceiling Paintings at the Hermitage
- Chandelier at the HermitageChandelier at the Hermitage
- Imperial Throne in the St. George Hall at the HermitageImperial Throne in the St. George Hall at the Hermitage
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