Golden statues inside the Hermitage
The Hermitage Museum is one of the greatest collections of historic and cultural artifacts in the world. A tourist could spend several days walking through the corridors of the Hermitage and still only see a fraction of its treasures. The Russian Ark, a film recorded in one continuous shot inside the Hermitage, showed thirty three rooms in the palace and featured over 2,000 actors in period costumes and three live orchestras for the soundtrack. .
Unfortunately, I only had 2 1/2 hours to tour the palace during my brief visit to St. Petersburg. These photos are the result of that whirlwind tour. Click on the extended post to begin the photo tour of the Hermitage!
Day 1 in St. Petersburg: Friday, January 12, 2007
The Winter Palace was the winter residence for Russian Czars and the Romanovs until 1917
Traffic in front of the Winter Palace
Day 2 in St. Petersburg: Saturday, January 13, 2007
Looking towards St. Isaac's Cathedral from Palace Square
Palace Square on a more typical St. Petersburg winter day
The Alexander victory column was built by Czar Alexander the First to commemorate Russia's victory over Napoleon
This building was built to house the Imperial Russian General Staff, but is now an annex to the Hermitage
Another view of the General Staff Building of the Russian Empire
Lions painted in many different colors inside the Winter Palace courtyard
More painted lions
Families walking in the Winter Palace courtyard
Staircase near the main entrance
Hermitage interior
The throne of Peter the Great with a painting of the Czar and Czarina
Portrait of a Czarina
Throne of a Czarina
One of many crystal chandeliers in the palace
Italian fresco of the Madonna with the Christ child
Another medieval Italian depiction of the Madonna and Christ child
Painting depicting lovers
The famous Rembrandt painting of the Danae
Ceiling in one room
Blue table
A blue vase
A green vase
A golden tree with a golden peacock
Hallway with Greco-Roman statues
Statue depicting a Roman goddess
Sculpture of the mythological lovers Cupid (Eros) and Psyche
Statue depicting Jupiter
Statue depicting another Roman god
A mythological sea creature
Cover of a mummy's sarcophagus
Statue of a pharoah
Ancient Egyptian figurines
Another room in the Hermitage
...and another staircase
Group of tourists near the exit
All of these photos were taken with a Nikon Coolpix 5600 digital camera without a tripod. Link and reference to Russia Blog required when reposting these photos.
To view part one in the series Walking through St. Petersburg, click here.
To view part two in the series Walking through St. Petersburg, click here.
Comments
Thank you for the wonderful photos. When ever I'm in St. Petersburg....it is always 1 day at the Hermtage. One comment...the "Blue Bell" is upside down. It is a blue vase. Just like the "Green Vase" photo below it.
Thanks....
Posted by: xke70 | February 12, 2007 3:12 PM
Thanks for the correction on the blue vase photo.
Posted by: Charles Ganske | February 12, 2007 6:31 PM
Oh the culture, the history, the glamour... i think i'd faint if i actually went there... it's beautiful!
Posted by: Rea | February 13, 2007 4:59 PM
potential visitors - don't forget that the ground floor in the Hermitage museum consists of two separated sets of rooms, and that you can get to the second one only by going to another floor.
The second set of rooms is rarely visited by foreigners, but contains quite stunning things
Posted by: Dmitry Mityugov | February 15, 2007 4:20 AM
Your pictures are great, Chuck. I know it was a wonderful adventure and, hopefully, you'll have many more trips to enjoy the Hermitage.
Posted by: Susan | February 18, 2007 9:13 PM
The golden peacock is actualy a wind-up clock, and one of the most famous exhibits in the museum.
http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/12/2006/hm12_1_22.html
Posted by: Dmitrii | February 19, 2007 1:17 PM
Awesome pictures. Thanks for sharing. Would like to hear more about your Russian trip.
Posted by: Grace Germany | February 20, 2007 12:18 AM
good
Posted by: m.dani | October 22, 2007 4:50 AM
they are so good pic i would you like to much in these pics
Posted by: Pakele123 | April 7, 2008 1:28 AM
I simply would like to know the title of the painting that you identify as "Painting depicting lovers"
Who is the artist?
Posted by: Kim Richard V. Unidad | May 20, 2008 6:23 AM