Hermitage

The Hermitage is the centre piece of St Peterburg. The Winter Palace of Catherine the Great is the grand building at the heart of it, with the Small Hermitage and The Hermitage buildings following on. The Winter Palace was the living accomodation for the Imperial family while the Hermitage buildings were built for Catherine the Great's art collection. We looked at some of the great pieces of art, but to be honest we were getting cultural integestion pretty early on. However, the rooms themselves are amazing, everyone different and so eclectic, so I concentrated on taking photos of the rooms themselves. There are plenty of descriptions of its history on the internet which will be far more accurate than I can write, so please enjoy my photos.

The Winter Palace from Palace Square

The main entrance

The central courtyard

Even the doors are magnificent

The peacock clock which was made in London. It is in working order but only works in high days and holidays.

A throne

Hall of the twenty columns

The entrance to The Hermitage building has these Atlas figures.

Off to work - being paid to be photographed

Where else would they put a toilet block in one of the most prestigious squares of the city, next to the most beautiful and historic buildings in the city!!