The Hermitage Museum is the largest museum in the world, located in St. Petersburg, Russia. In this museum, you can see over three million fascinating artworks, cultural and historical artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, antiquities, books, coins, and weapons that depict the history of civilization, art, and culture in Russia and around the globe. This museum is not only famed for its artworks but also for its attractive and eye-catching architecture and design. Today, the Hermitage Museum, which consists of four magnificent historic buildings, is considered the most popular museum in Russia from the perspective of visitors. In this article from Eligasht, we intend to introduce you to the Hermitage Museum, the largest museum in the world.
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A Look at the History of the Hermitage Museum, from Its Beginning to the Present
The Hermitage Palace is an art museum in St. Petersburg, founded in 1764 by Empress Catherine the Great as a court museum. It was located adjacent to the Winter Palace and functioned as a private gallery to showcase artworks collected by the emperor.
During the reign of Nicholas I, the Hermitage was renovated (1840-1852), and in 1852, it was opened to the public. Following the October Revolution of 1917, the imperial collections became public property, and the museum expanded significantly in the 1920s with a notable increase in artworks.
The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on the Museum
Unfortunately, the Industrial Revolution had a substantial negative impact on the Hermitage Museum. Between 1930 and 1934, under pressure for rapid industrialization, some masterpieces housed in the museum were sold by the Soviet government to ensure the purchase of industrial machinery from the West. This indiscriminate sale led to the permanent loss of some valuable pieces from the museum.
Restoration of the Hermitage Museum
After the blow dealt to the Hermitage by the Industrial Revolution, significant efforts were made to restore it. As a result of these endeavors, the collection of the Hermitage Museum expanded significantly from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, particularly with the growth of European art, such that after World War II, the Hermitage Museum ranked among the largest museums in the world and gained notable international popularity. The museum now has five interconnected buildings, including the Winter Palace (1754-1754) and four other structures.
Artworks at the Hermitage Museum
The artworks at the fascinating Hermitage Museum include nearly three million pieces from the Stone Age to today. The museum showcases the art and culture of Russia effectively. The Hermitage also has extensive collections of Asian art and presents a significant array of Central Asian art pieces.
Paintings of the Museum
In the painting section of the Hermitage Museum, you can admire one of the richest collections of Western European paintings from the Middle Ages, including many masterpieces from Dutch, Finnish, and French painters of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque period. Works by renowned artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, da Vinci, Rembrandt, and many other famous artists are on display for visitors.
The Treasures of the Hermitage Museum
In the treasure gallery of the Hermitage Museum, you can see the craftsmanship of European and Russian jewelers in creating jewelry, diamonds, and various jewel-encrusted weapons. This gallery reflects the wealth of the Romanov family and includes some personal jewelry from the Russian Empire. In this gallery, you can observe a blend of art, history, and industry.
Ancient Artifacts of the Museum
Another section of this museum is dedicated to ancient artifacts. The Hermitage Museum, with its rich collection of ancient works, attracts history buffs and enthusiasts of historical artifacts as well. Here, you can view ancient artifacts from various historical periods, ranging from Greece, Rome, and Byzantium to the Middle East and Central Asia.
Armaments and Weapons
If you are interested in viewing various types of ancient weapons, be sure to visit the armory of the Hermitage Museum. In this section, various weapons, ammunition, armor, and military tools from different civilizations are on public display. Interestingly, part of this fascinating armory is dedicated to ancient Iranian weapons.
Buildings of the Hermitage Museum
We mentioned that the Hermitage Museum consists of various palaces, each with its unique historical, cultural, and artistic appeal, captivating the eyes with their harmonious architecture. The four main buildings of this vast museum are:
- The Great Hermitage
- The Small Hermitage
- The Winter Palace
- The New Hermitage
- The Hermitage Theater
In the following sections, we will examine each of the main buildings of the Hermitage Museum.
The Great Hermitage
Between 1771 and 1787, a new building was constructed next to the Small Hermitage on the orders of Empress Catherine II, along the embankment of the Neva River. Since it was bigger than the Small Hermitage, it was named the Great Hermitage and was meant to house the palace collections and library. Architect Yuri Velten managed to integrate the new building into the existing palace complex. The originality and simplicity of the Great Hermitage follow the classical rules of the 18th century.
Highlights of the Great Hermitage
In 1792, Giacomo Quarenghi expanded the Great Hermitage to accommodate the Hall of Raphael Loggias, which contains 18th-century copies of the original frescoes from the Vatican in Rome. This building showcases Italian Renaissance art beautifully.
The Winter Palace
This beautiful and remarkable palace is a prominent example of Baroque style in Russia’s art from the mid-18th century. It stands as a brilliant illustration of the combination of architecture and decorative plastic arts. All facades are adorned with a two-story column. The columns are beautifully designed and lead to numerous statues and vases on the roof. The unique design of the Winter Palace creates a rich play of light and shadow, showcasing the building’s grandeur and magnificence.
Sights of the Winter Palace
The exhibition housed in this palace includes large halls and rooms, a collection of Eurasian and Eastern antiquities, as well as collections of paintings, sculptures, and decorative artworks from Europe and the East. If you visit the Winter Palace of the Hermitage, be sure to check out its ancient church; you can be sure that its masterful architecture will amaze you!
New Hermitage
The New Hermitage was the first building in Russia specifically constructed to house museum collections. Emperor Nicholas I invited the German architect Leo von Klenze, whose works largely shaped the image of museum architecture in Europe, to come to Russia and build the New Hermitage. The architects Nikolai Yefimov and Vasily Stasov, who were responsible for the execution of the project, made significant changes to adapt the new structure to the existing architectural environment.
Sights of the New Hermitage
One of the interesting features of the New Hermitage, built between 1842-1851, is its attractive classical architecture, the grandeur of the structure, and its balance. This building is adorned with sculptures and images that depict the craftsmanship of renowned artists, architects, and sculptors of the past. The classical decorations evoke the splendor and magnificence of Renaissance and Baroque art.
The building of the painting galleries houses a collection of antiquities and sculptures, as well as several rich libraries. The ceremonial opening of the first art museum in Russia took place on February 5, 1852. Today, the historic rooms of this palace contain collections of ancient arts, as well as paintings, sculptures, and other European artworks.
Small Hermitage
The Small Hermitage is a two-story building located next to the Winter Palace, built between 1764-1766 by the architect Yuri Velten on the orders of Queen Catherine II. The late Baroque and early Neoclassical elements in this building are beautifully combined. Between 1767-1769, the architect Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe constructed a pavilion on the embankment of the Neva River, featuring a large hall, several sitting rooms, and an orangery for the queen’s relaxation.
Sights of the Small Hermitage
The architectural pattern and beautiful decorations of this building follow the rules of Neoclassicism, and the proportions typical of this style are similar to the architectural structure of the Winter Palace. Today, the famous Peacock Clock is located in the hall of this building. The galleries of the Small Hermitage host exhibitions of Western European paintings and other decorative artworks.
Hermitage Theater
In 1783, the architect Giacomo Quarenghi was commissioned by Empress Catherine II to build the Hermitage Theater. The construction of this museum building was completed in 1787. The balanced harmonic structure of the building makes it a prominent example of late 18th-century Russian Neoclassical architecture. The ground-floor windows are decorated with precious stones and lion masks, which is one of Quarenghi’s favorite decorative elements. The columns on the second level of the façade are surrounded by sculptures of ancient Greek playwrights and poets.
Attractions of the Hermitage Theater
The amphitheater hall has six rows of benches. Its walls are decorated with artificial marble and beautifully designed columns. Medals featuring the names of famous playwrights are placed above the statues. Traditional theater performances have been held in this building since the 18th century, and it has been the venue for many celebrations. Nowadays, performances take place in this hall, and exhibitions are held in its foyer.
Other Attractions of the Hermitage Museum
The Hermitage Museum has other attractions that we recommend you visit during your trip to this fascinating museum.
- The Menshikov Palace is one of the museum’s notable palaces where you can beautifully experience Russian culture.
- The Gallery of Western Art and the Gallery of Eastern Art, which house the most significant works by artists from around the world.
- The Chinese Factory Museum, which showcases the progress of porcelain production in Russia over time.
- The Natural History Gallery, which displays a collection of fossils and ancient stones from around the world.
- The Hermitage Coin Cabinet, where you can see various types of coins from different countries.
Admission Fees for the Hermitage Museum
The entrance ticket to the Hermitage Museum is more expensive for tourists than for Russian citizens. The ticket price ranges from 300 to 700 rubles. The admission fee for children is half that of adults. However, there are certain times when you can visit the museum for free:
The third Thursday of every month
December 7, coinciding with the anniversary of the museum’s founding
Given that the Hermitage Museum attracts a large number of visitors, it is best to book your ticket online in advance so you can easily visit this popular museum.
Final words
In this article from Eligasht, we discussed the Hermitage Museum, the largest and most popular museum in the world located in Russia, and examined its history, artworks, buildings, and attractions in the fascinating city of Saint Petersburg.
Today, Russia, especially Saint Petersburg, is one of the popular tourist destinations that attracts many visitors every year. For information on tours in Russia and other international tours, contact our experts and consultants at Eligasht.
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FAQ
Where is the Hermitage Museum located?
The Hermitage Museum is located in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
How many artworks are there in the Hermitage Museum?
There are over three million artworks in this museum.
How many main buildings does the Hermitage Museum have?
This museum has four main buildings and palaces.
What is the architectural style of the Hermitage Museum?
The architecture of most buildings in this museum is classical and neoclassical.
When can you visit the Hermitage Museum for free?
You can visit the museum for free on the third Thursday of every month and on December 7 (the anniversary of the museum’s opening).