inside the world famous hermitage
To see every piece of artwork in the Hermitage in one visit is impossible. Apparently to look at every piece (of the 3 million collection) for 30 seconds each, would take up to 9 years. We did not have that much time on this trip!
Russian Empress Catherine the Great founded the Hermitage in 1764 when she purchased masterpieces from Western Europe. The museum has 4 of its 6 buildings open to the public; Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage and New Hermitage.
As we walk through the rooms and hallways, the opulent lifestyles of the Russian past smacks us in the face! But in saying that, the lavish and exquisite interior of the museum is the perfect home for the masterpieces.
Considering that we would not be able to see every single piece in our one visit, there are a few must-sees in the collection. And the beauty of what we saw is simply worth sharing. The first several are masterpieces of Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Van Gogh.
Hermitage is closed on Mondays. It also can get very busy and we heard pickpockets use the opportunity to pounce so be sure to keep an eye closely on handbags and wallets. Also remember, backpacks are not allowed in the museum.
For photos of our trip to Russia, see our Facebook page.
wise monkeys abroad 
January 28, 2015 at 3:46 pm
[…] as with other Russian buildings (such as the Hermitage and Catherine Palace) built during this era, the interiors are opulent and […]
November 2, 2014 at 2:24 pm
I hadn’t been to L’Hermitage in July, but I have since. My challenge now is to write something different to your coverage 😉
November 2, 2014 at 4:53 pm
Ken, you are too kind! We are sure whatever you share will be brilliant 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you think of the Hermitage!
August 11, 2014 at 1:16 am
[…] first stop was Russia where we visited Moscow and St Petersburg. There we saw some amazingly opulent palaces and got a sneak peak into the lives of the past royals. Our standout moment from here would be […]
August 10, 2014 at 9:16 pm
[…] first stop was Russia where we visited Moscow and St Petersburg. There we saw some amazingly opulent palaces and got a sneak peak into the lives of the past royals. Our standout moment from here would be […]
July 19, 2014 at 6:31 am
This brings back some great memories! Thanks.
What was the weather like in St Petersburg? We were so lucky to have two gorgeous days with blue skies, but we were told it was a rarity there.
July 19, 2014 at 6:33 am
We were blessed with PERFECT weather!! We had three days of blue skies and warm sun. We had daylight that lasted well into the night (up to midnight and beyond) 🙂 Love that we have escaped Sydney winter!!
July 19, 2014 at 6:18 am
Stunning – brought back memories! I didn’t have 9 years either unfortunately but you did it justice! 🙂
July 19, 2014 at 6:19 am
Thank you 🙂 It is just beyond words to describe, right? Photos hopefully captured it better!
July 19, 2014 at 6:20 am
Definitely! You could spend hours just looking at the building, let alone the art!
July 19, 2014 at 6:21 am
YES!!! The building is a piece of art in itself….
July 19, 2014 at 6:37 am
It really is gorgeous!
July 19, 2014 at 6:14 am
Your took some awesome photos of the grand place!
July 19, 2014 at 6:17 am
Thanks Amy! It’s just so stunning – we want to try and did the place justice 🙂
July 18, 2014 at 4:00 pm
[…] You can check your answer by checking out their incredible pictures by clicking here. […]
July 18, 2014 at 10:37 am
Your pictures are amazing! I wish that I could be there with you guys. 🙂
July 18, 2014 at 11:55 am
Thanks Lynda 🙂 Would be nice to meet in Europe, wouldn’t it?!
July 16, 2014 at 11:52 pm
Absolutely breathtaking! So how many hours did you spend visiting the Hermitage?
July 17, 2014 at 1:13 am
We spent about 4 hours and there were 1000 of people (off cruise ships) and was incredibly stuffy!! But we made it out alive 😉
July 16, 2014 at 9:19 pm
I loved, loved, loved the Hermitage….I am with Mani…my favorite in the world as well. It completely took me aback. I loved standing in those rooms overlooking the river. Gosh…what an experience! Your pictures are FABULOUS!
July 16, 2014 at 10:17 pm
Thanks Diana!! The experience will not be forgotten, right? To see art in a lavish building all in one is a must for any traveller 🙂
July 16, 2014 at 10:56 pm
I know! It was nuts…in the end, we did not have time to see it all (as you mentioned – impossible to do in one visit)…but we were determined to see the Picassos, so basically we had to run through that room 😦 Still! Who has a whole room of Piccasso??? It was amazing!
July 17, 2014 at 1:18 am
And a whole room of Rembrandt?? The rooms were just endless! We got lost – it’s like a mesmerising maze 🙂
July 16, 2014 at 7:52 pm
I was there a few years ago and it was a really nice trip. Photos are no problem there as long as flash is off. Sadly I had no camera with me back then 😦
July 16, 2014 at 10:15 pm
We were thrilled to be allowed to take photos! Just got back from Peterhopf and we’re not allowed to photograph inside 😦 – can’t have it all!
July 16, 2014 at 10:45 pm
Oh well, sometimes they can be a bit too strict with these things. It’s funny how even the cleaning personell is watching out for people with cameras
July 17, 2014 at 1:15 am
We can understand that they want to preserve everything but it is interesting to see how it was so strict at Peterhof but not so much at Hermitage!
July 16, 2014 at 7:49 pm
I love visiting places like this in Europe. They are so different to what we have here and are an insight into another world. You made some great choices when deciding what to see. We found when we went to the Louvre we had to decide in advance what we wanted to see. Otherwise we could have just wandered aimlessly all day. Thanks for sharing these gorgeous works.
July 16, 2014 at 10:14 pm
The size of the museum simply means you cannot see it all! They are just so different to what we get back home and the history behind everything is so fascinating. We always think it would be great if we could just be a fly on the wall to see the everydays of the past!
July 16, 2014 at 10:21 pm
You would need to go every day for a month to even scratch the surface. I like to imagine the real people behind these lovely creations.
July 17, 2014 at 1:16 am
Yes, how very talented these people were! It would’ve been wonderful to be able to be a fly on the wall to watch them work 🙂
July 16, 2014 at 6:21 pm
It’s a truly amazing place isnt it. The trick is not to pay the foreigner price if you can avoid it! The Russian price is like 10% of the foreigner price! That’s takes some acting! 🙂 great post!
July 16, 2014 at 10:10 pm
Simply loved it. Everything about it was jaw-dropping…. We couldn’t pull off being a local even if we tried 😝
July 16, 2014 at 2:34 pm
Could you imagine cleaning the place – that’s probably what started the revolution – sweepers and dusters raised defiantly !
July 16, 2014 at 10:08 pm
Yes, good point! Cleaning it would be very daunting! Thanks for your comment 🙂
July 16, 2014 at 9:48 am
How absolutely gorgeous! Nothing says opulence to me like rooms that are gold and white.
July 16, 2014 at 12:51 pm
That is so true! To see something like that, we just try to imagine what it must’ve been like to live like that. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
July 16, 2014 at 9:16 am
The Hermitage has been on my bucket list forever. –Curt
July 16, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Oh Curt, you simply must go! If museums are your thing, then you won’t be disappointed by the Hermitage!
July 17, 2014 at 1:11 am
I’ve been to many/most of the world’s top art museums. Almost made it to the Hermitage last year, but drove up the Alaska Highway instead. (grin) –Curt
July 17, 2014 at 1:12 am
Sounds like a pretty incredible alternative 😃
July 17, 2014 at 1:29 am
Highly recommended. Drop dead beautiful.
July 16, 2014 at 4:56 am
Stunning museum! Thanks for sharing this report, I felt like I were there when reading it. It must be impressive to see its collection – love the second photo – the pillars are impressive!
July 16, 2014 at 12:45 pm
Thanks Indah for your lovely comment 🙂 we were simply overwhelmed with the palace itself and its collection!
July 16, 2014 at 3:43 am
I love the Hermitage! It’s definitely my favorite museum in the world.
July 16, 2014 at 3:47 am
Isn’t it just incredible? Not surprised you consider it a favourite. We have to be honest, we have never really been museum type of people until a few years ago so the last time we were in Europe, we visited very few museums. This time round, we want to make up for it 🙂 And the Hermitage was the BEST start ever!!
July 16, 2014 at 4:06 am
I love museums! And the Hermitage took it to a whole new level when I went. Some of my other favorites if you are interested in recommendations include: Pompidou Center in Paris, d’Orsay in Paris, Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam (you gotta like Van Gogh), Tate Modern in London, Haus der Musik in Vienna… oh man, there’s more than I thought. I think I will make a post about it 🙂
July 16, 2014 at 4:30 am
Yes – we think a post is in order 🙂 Thanks for the tips for Paris as we will be there in August!
July 16, 2014 at 3:09 am
sorry, inside……
July 16, 2014 at 3:09 am
I will be there in a few weeks for the first time. Thank you for this tantalizing post! I am thrilled one can take fotos in inside.
July 16, 2014 at 3:12 am
It is so incredible 🙂 You will enjoy it, we are sure!
Photos are fine as long as there is NO flash.
Have a great time in Russia. Thanks for stopping by.
July 16, 2014 at 6:22 pm
Great memories seeing your pics. It is fabulous. Keep enjoying St Petersburg!
July 16, 2014 at 10:11 pm
Thank you 🙂