The State Hermitage  is a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. One of the largest and oldest museums of the world, it was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great  and open to the public since 1852. Its collections, of which only a small part is on permanent display, comprise nearly 3 million items, including the largest collection of paintings in the world.

Exterior of the Hermitage is a museum of art and
Exterior of the Hermitage is a museum of art and
Exterior of the Hermitage is a museum of art and
Entry to the Hermitage is through the central courtyard.
Hermitage Palace Square--Alexander I of Russia envisaged the square as
Hermitage Palace Square--atop the bow-shaped Empire-style Building of the General
Hermitage Palace Square--Alexander I of Russia envisaged the square as
Hermitage Palace Square--the Alexander Column (1830-34), designed by Auguste de
Hermitage Palace Square--the bow-shaped Empire-style Building of the General Staff
The Neva is a river in northwestern Russia flowing
Looking across the Neva River to the navigation columns
Museums of anthropology (L) and zoology (R) across the
A ship (?) in the Neva River
The original Admiralty was one of the first structures to
Outside the Hermitage are period carriages and characters for tourists.
Outside the Hermitage are period carriages and characters for tourists.
Outside the Hermitage are period carriages and characters for tourists.
Inside the Hermitage--grand staircase
Inside the Hermitage--ornate European ideas
Inside the Hermitage--elaborate coffered ceilings
Inside the Hermitage--one of the largest and oldest museums of
Inside the Hermitage--The Czar's library
One of countless works of great art in the Hermitage
One of countless works of great art in the Hermitage
Statue of Fran????ois-Marie Arouet (Voltaire)--he was an influential friend of
Bust of Catherine the Great--Catherine II, 1729-1796. Under her direct
Organ made for Catherine; she was a lover of great
In the Hermitage are many copies of Classical and Hellenistic
Typical plaster carvings in the museum
The Gold Room
The Gold Room
Door detail with gemstone knob
Porcelain pieces in the window overlooking the courtyard
Exterior neo-classic theme detail
Magnificent parquet floors throughout the museum
Cupid sculpture
Cupid sculpture
Us in the throne room
Throne of the Czar
MIlitary banners and arms
Another throne room
Copy of Grecian antiquity: Ganymede In Greek mythology, Ganymede is a
Side view of copy of Grecian antiquity: Ganymede In Greek mythology,
Ornate straircase
Huge jade urn
Detail of floor mosaic
The famous peacock clock http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/12/2006/hm12_1_22.html
The famous ornate peacock clock http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/12/2006/hm12_1_22.html
Crystal chandeliers
Greek urn details of sexuality
Greek urn detail
Greek urn detail of wrestlers
Greek urn detail
Antiquities room
Door detail
Elegant statuary hall
Statue detail
Classic statuary
Classic statue
Statue detail of a kouros (youth)
Great statue of Zeus--bronze and marble
Great statue of Zeus--bronze and marble
Statue of Dionysus
Unique beautiful column adornment statues
Unique beautiful column adornment statues
Sarcophagus of a noble couple
There are hundreds of rooms with exhibits displaying some of
There are hundreds of rooms with exhibits displaying some of
Each room has a unique parquet floor pattern
One of countless chandeliers
One of countless chandeliers
Each room has a unique parquet floor pattern
Extremely ornate ceiling and walls
Elaborate metal and wood inlay table top
Blue glass pitchers
There are hundreds of rooms with exhibits displaying some of
Special exhibit of Rembrandt
Packing items for shipping
Ancient abyssinian lion
More chandeliers and parquet floors
Royal portrait gallery in the museum
Pitiful image of a chained bear used for soliciting money

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