123 Saint Petersburg

Coming to the surface on the metro in St. Petersburg, Russia

Summer Baltic Vacation 2008 brought us to visit the famous “The (State) Hermitage”. This Part I of the walking tour features the Grand Staircase, Throne Room and some of the prominent portrait work on display. General Information: The Hermitage occupies six magnificent buildings situated along the embankment of the River Neva, right in the heart of St Petersburg. The leading role in this unique architectural ensemble is played by the Winter Palace, the residence of the Russian tsars that was built to the design of Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1754-62. This ensemble, formed in the 18th and 19th centuries, is extended by the eastern wing of the General Staff building, the Menshikov Palace and the recently constructed Repository. Put together throughout two centuries and a half, the Hermitage collections of works of art (over 3000000 items) present the development of the world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century. The entrance ticket for foreign tourists costs several times as much as the fee paid by Russian citizens. However, the entrance is free of charge first Thursday of every month for all visitors and daily for students and children. The museum is closed on Mondays. Entrance is in the Winter Palace from Palace Embankment or the Courtyard.