Winter Palace, Saint Petersburg (Hermitage)

Background

The Winter Palace stands in the centre of Saint Petersburg, Russia, at 34 Palace Embankment on the Neva, around Palace Square. The main Hermitage Museum complex consists of six historic buildings along the river, holds over 3 million objects and is said to have the largest collection of paintings in the world. The Jordan Staircase, the Armorial Hall, St George's Hall, the Malachite Room and the Peacock Clock are the most frequently mentioned highlights, and the Winter Palace's grand Baroque façade is most spectacular on the river side. The museum's foundation goes back to 1764, when Catherine II bought a group of paintings from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky; accounts give the number as either 225 or 317. It has been open to the public since 1852. The present Winter Palace was designed by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli for Empress Elizabeth, built in the mid-18th century and rebuilt after the great fire of 1837. The collections span ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome, European painting, Oriental art and more, and affiliated venues include the east wing of the General Staff Building and the Menshikov Palace.

Local customs

• Start by viewing the Winter Palace façade and Palace Square from the Neva side, then climb the Jordan Staircase into the main halls
• work through the painting, sculpture and applied-arts sections at leisure, focusing on the Peacock Clock, the Malachite Room and St George's Hall
• with more time, add the modern art galleries in the east wing of the General Staff Building.

Travel tips

• The museum is vast, so check the open areas and visiting routes through official channels in advance, allow most of a day and wear shoes suited to walking. Before you travel, please check the latest travel safety advisories issued by your country.
• The Winter Palace is in the city centre and can be reached by metro, bus or on foot
• specific routes and stops are subject to the official information. It can be visited all year round, and the indoor galleries are unaffected by the weather. In winter, daylight is short and pavements may ice over, so dress warmly and take care not to slip. During the summer white nights the city is lively, and the museum is relatively crowded.