Hermitage Museum | Nordic Travel

As one of the largest and most renowned museums in the world, the Hermitage is the crown jewel of St. Petersburg.

The Hermitage complex comprises several historic buildings: the Winter Palace, the Small Hermitage, the Large Hermitage, the New Hermitage, the Hermitage Theatre, and the General Staff Headquarters. Originally, all these structures served as residences and offices for the Russian Royal Family.

The main entrance is located in the Winter Palace, from which visitors can access other buildings within the complex. Most of these structures are interconnected by covered walkways, providing a seamless experience as you explore the museum.

Historical Background

The Winter Palace is the oldest building in the complex. It was commissioned by Empress Elizabeth I and designed by Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Construction took eight years, and the palace was completed in 1762. Since then, it has served as the official winter residence of the Russian Emperors and Empresses.

The Russian Royal Family was passionate about art, leading to the formation of an impressive collection of masterpieces. The collection was initiated by Catherine the Great, who, in 1764, acquired 225 Western European paintings. Initially kept as a private collection in a dedicated building called the “Hermitage” (a French word meaning “a hermit’s retreat”), the collection expanded over time, prompting the addition of more buildings.

In 1850, Emperor Nicholas I opened the Royal collection to the public free of charge, making the treasures accessible to all visitors.

The Hermitage History in Brief

Following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, the Royal collection and many other aristocratic holdings were confiscated by the Soviet government. Some items were transferred to regional museums, while others were sold abroad—famous works such as Titian’s Venus in the Mirror and Raphael’s Madonna Alba left Russia during this period.

Today, the Hermitage houses nearly 3 million items across various departments, including Western European Fine and Applied Arts, Russian Cultural History, Oriental Art, Archaeology, Classical Antiquities, Numismatics, Primitive Art, and more.

In 2014, the Eastern Wing of the General Staff Building was transformed into an exhibition hall dedicated to French Impressionists, occupying an entire floor.

Highlights of the Hermitage

The museum is renowned for its extraordinary collections, including the Treasure Gallery, which features jewelry and valuables. The Gold Rooms showcase items from Eurasia and the Black Sea region, including Greek and Scythian gold artifacts. The Diamond Rooms illustrate the evolution of jewelry craftsmanship over centuries.

Top 5 Attractions (Our Opinion)

Peacock Clock
A marvel of craftsmanship, this clock is a mechanical sculpture featuring gilded figures of animals and birds, with the peacock being the largest. The figures are animated by intricate mechanisms.
Madonna Litta
A masterpiece attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, this painting is among the rare surviving works of the Renaissance genius—only about 14 of his paintings are known to exist worldwide.
The Return of the Prodigal Son
Created by the renowned Dutch artist Rembrandt and completed in 1669, the year of his death, this painting is considered one of his finest works.
Scythian Gold Treasures
An exceptional collection of gold artifacts crafted by the Scythians and Greeks for Scythian patrons, dating from the 6th to 4th centuries B.C. Highlights include figures of a panther, a deer, and elaborate jewelry.
The Big Kolyvanskaya Vase
A massive 19-ton jasper vase carved by Russian artisans in the Ural Mountains during the 19th century, notable for its size and craftsmanship.

Interesting Facts About the Hermitage

After a major fire in 1837, the Winter Palace was equipped with a central heating system featuring hot-air stoves on the ground floor, which distributed heat through pipes and vents in the walls. Today, metal grilles from this system remain visible in many rooms.
Servants were not permitted to enter the stately rooms; instead, they used concealed passageways within the palace walls for movement.
The Hermitage hosts approximately 50 resident cats, whose primary role is to control rodent populations. Each cat has a personal passport with a photo.
To become a licensed guide, individuals must complete specialized courses and pass rigorous examinations.

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