Attractions
The Winter Palace and the Hermitage Museum
The biggest and most lavishly decorated palace in the city, the Winter Palace was once the official residences of tsars. The huge, green, white and gold Russian Baroque building is 200 meters long and rests on the banks of the Neva River. The Hermitage Museum started as Catherine the Great’s collection of paintings in 1764 and is now one of the world’s best art museums. There are more than 3 million exhibits, covering ancient times to 20th century Europe, housed in the grand palace. Even without such a grand collection, the palace itself would be worth a visit. There are white marble staircases, crystal chandeliers, decorative mosaics and golden ceilings. Some of the most popular exhibits include the modern European art collection and the Golden Room’s collection of royal jewels.
Address: Dvortsovaya Square
Telephone: (812) 710 9097
E-mail:visitorservices@hermitage.ru
Website:www.hermitagemuseum.org
Transport: Metro to Nevsky Prospekt or Gostiny Dvor. Trolleybus 1, 7, 10 or 11. Bus 7, 10 or 24.
Opening time: Closed Mondays. Tuesday through Saturday open 10:30am – 6pm, Sundays open 10:30am – 5pm
Admission: 400 Rb for adults. Children and students are free. Additional buildings will be 60 Rb each. Additional 200 Rb for photography and video cameras
