Hermitage Museum Map

Description:
This map shows metro lines and stations in Saint Petersburg.

About Hermitage Museum

The State Hermitage Museum, located in Saint Petersburg, Russia, is one of the largest and oldest museums in the world. Founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great, it has been open to the public since 1852. The museum complex consists of six historic buildings along the Palace Embankment, including the Winter Palace, which served as the official residence of Russian emperors from 1732 to 1917.

The museum houses over 3 million items, including the largest collection of paintings in the world. The collections occupy more than 233,345 square meters (2,511,544 square feet) of exhibition space. Only a small part of the collection is on permanent display, with the majority held in storage facilities.

The main architectural ensemble includes several interconnected buildings. The Winter Palace, designed by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, represents the height of Russian Baroque architecture. The Small Hermitage, Large Hermitage, New Hermitage, and Hermitage Theatre were added later, each contributing to the museum's distinctive appearance along the Neva River. The General Staff Building, located across Palace Square, became part of the museum complex in the early 21st century.

The museum's collections include works from numerous artistic schools and periods. Notable holdings include masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens, and other Renaissance masters. The museum also houses significant collections of Egyptian antiquities, Classical antiquities, prehistoric art, jewelry, and decorative arts. The Gold Rooms, featuring Scythian gold and ancient Greek jewelry, are particularly renowned.

Conservation and research are crucial aspects of the museum's activities. The Hermitage maintains its own conservation laboratory, research facilities, and educational programs. The museum also operates the Hermitage Storage Facility in Staraya Derevnya, which opened in 2003 to house parts of the collection and serves as a restoration and storage center.

In recent years, the Hermitage has expanded its presence globally through satellite locations and partnerships. The Hermitage Amsterdam, opened in 2009, regularly hosts exhibitions featuring items from the main collection. The museum also maintains digital initiatives, including virtual tours and online exhibitions, making its collections accessible to a global audience.

The State Hermitage Museum attracts approximately 4.2 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited art museums worldwide. The institution maintains strict conservation standards while balancing public access, and continues to acquire new works and expand its educational programs. Admission policies include free entry for students and children, with special rates for foreign visitors.