State Hermitage Museum

Государственный Эрмита́ж, gosudarstvenny ermitazh,Зимний дворец, zimniy dvorets, Winter Palace

A massive palace-museum showing the highlights of a collection of over 3,000,000 pieces of international art, primarily western European art. Hosted in the Winter Palace, the former main residence of the Russian tsars. The Hermitage is truly one of the world's great museums, with an imposing setting displaying priceless works by Rembrandt, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rubens and more, including many pieces that were looted from Central and Eastern Europe by the Red Army during World War II. Getting a tour guide is recommended: the additional information they impart can be well worth the price, and they can readily take you directly to the items you want to see. Large bags aren't allowed in the museum, and a massive cloakroom downstairs (no charge, as usual in Russia) exists to assist with jackets and bags. Drinks or liquids are not allowed in the museum after an incident in 1985 when a protester vandalized Danaë, a Rembrandt painting, with sulfuric acid. In some rooms and in all temporary exhibits, photography is prohibited. However, at other times the museum can limit the admission rate because of the numbers already in the museum. In this case having purchased your tickets in advance won't save you as much time. There are also ticket machines just before you get to the cash desk which have much shorter lines. The museum has a cafe and large shop near the entrance, and numerous small shops throughout the galleries. Audio guides are available in English, and most signs in the gallery are in English and Russian.

• Wi-Fi
• Wheelchair accessible

• coffee
• history
• free
• museum

Address

Dvortsovaya Ploschad (Dvortsovaya Square). Palace Embankment, 38

Getting there

: Admiralteyskaya «Адмиралтейская» 0.6 km S

Hours

Tue-Sun 10:30–18:00 (Wed till 21:00)

Price

Tickets can be purchased online with accepted forms of payment. Scan the QR code at the stated turnstile for entry. Students of all nationalities get in for free with student photo ID. Entry fee is RUB 500 to RUB 700, depending on the museum; free for students of all nationalities with student photo ID; free on the first Thursday of the month. Guide books: RUB 300

Phone

+78127109079

Website

hermitagemuseum.org (opens in a new tab)