The State Hermitage  is a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. One of the largest and oldest museums of the world, it was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great  and open to the public since 1852. Its collections, of which only a small part is on permanent display, comprise nearly 3 million items, including the largest collection of paintings in the world.

Greek urn detail of wrestlers
Great statue of Zeus--bronze and marble
Great statue of Zeus--bronze and marble
Statue detail of a kouros (youth)
Classic statue
Classic statuary
Statue detail
Elegant statuary hall
Door detail
Antiquities room
Greek urn detail
Statue of Dionysus
Greek urn detail
Greek urn details of sexuality
Crystal chandeliers
The famous ornate peacock clock http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/12/2006/hm12_1_22.html
The famous peacock clock http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/12/2006/hm12_1_22.html
Detail of floor mosaic
Huge jade urn
Ornate straircase
Side view of copy of Grecian antiquity: Ganymede In Greek mythology,
Extremely ornate ceiling and walls
Pitiful image of a chained bear used for soliciting money
Royal portrait gallery in the museum
More chandeliers and parquet floors
Ancient abyssinian lion
Packing items for shipping
Special exhibit of Rembrandt
There are hundreds of rooms with exhibits displaying some of
Blue glass pitchers
Elaborate metal and wood inlay table top
Copy of Grecian antiquity: Ganymede In Greek mythology, Ganymede is a
Each room has a unique parquet floor pattern
One of countless chandeliers
One of countless chandeliers
Each room has a unique parquet floor pattern
There are hundreds of rooms with exhibits displaying some of
There are hundreds of rooms with exhibits displaying some of
Sarcophagus of a noble couple
Unique beautiful column adornment statues
Unique beautiful column adornment statues
Looking across the Neva River to the navigation columns
Inside the Hermitage--one of the largest and oldest museums of
Inside the Hermitage--elaborate coffered ceilings
Inside the Hermitage--ornate European ideas
Inside the Hermitage--grand staircase
Outside the Hermitage are period carriages and characters for tourists.
Outside the Hermitage are period carriages and characters for tourists.
Outside the Hermitage are period carriages and characters for tourists.
The original Admiralty was one of the first structures to
A ship (?) in the Neva River
Museums of anthropology (L) and zoology (R) across the
Inside the Hermitage--The Czar's library
The Neva is a river in northwestern Russia flowing
Hermitage Palace Square--the bow-shaped Empire-style Building of the General Staff
Hermitage Palace Square--the Alexander Column (1830-34), designed by Auguste de
Hermitage Palace Square--Alexander I of Russia envisaged the square as
Hermitage Palace Square--atop the bow-shaped Empire-style Building of the General
Hermitage Palace Square--Alexander I of Russia envisaged the square as
Entry to the Hermitage is through the central courtyard.
Exterior of the Hermitage is a museum of art and
Exterior of the Hermitage is a museum of art and
Door detail with gemstone knob
Another throne room
MIlitary banners and arms
Throne of the Czar
Us in the throne room
Cupid sculpture
Cupid sculpture
Magnificent parquet floors throughout the museum
Exterior neo-classic theme detail
Porcelain pieces in the window overlooking the courtyard
Exterior of the Hermitage is a museum of art and
The Gold Room
The Gold Room
Typical plaster carvings in the museum
In the Hermitage are many copies of Classical and Hellenistic
Organ made for Catherine; she was a lover of great
Bust of Catherine the Great--Catherine II, 1729-1796. Under her direct
Statue of Fran????ois-Marie Arouet (Voltaire)--he was an influential friend of
One of countless works of great art in the Hermitage
One of countless works of great art in the Hermitage

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