HERMITAGE MUSEUM
Duration: 3 hours
The State Hermitage Museum ranks with the Louvre, the British Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art as one of the world’s most important and richest art galleries.
Starting with 225 paintings purchased in 1764 by Catherine the Great, the museum collection now comprises more than 3 mln.objects and works of art including renowned world masterpieces. Raphael’s and Leonardo’s Madonnas, Titian’s St. Sebastian and Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son as well as paintings by Picasso, Matisse and Van Gogh are just a few of the superb works of Western European art in the Hermitage.
Treasures and artifacts from almost every culture known to man are housed in the museum including the unique collection of Greek jewellery from the Black Sea region, Scythian gold, ancient Egyptian sculptures, Iranian silverware, Chinese manuscripts, Russian icons and Byzantine applied art. The Hermitage is a real encyclopedia of names and features that have contributed to the world civilizations.
Hermitage museum collection is housed in the former winter imperial residence of breath-taking beauty. The imperial and military might of Russia is reflected in the reception halls of the Winter Palace dedicated to the heroic deeds of Peter the Great and to the national victory over Napoleon in 1812.Visitors enjoy viewing the world famous canvases in the rooms and halls of outstanding beauty. It is your decision which aspect of the Hermitage museum is to admire most-the paintings and sculptures or the grandiose interiors.
Official web site: www.hermitagemuseum.org
