The Hermitage 1

My Dad and step-mom are visiting the city for a few days, so I spent yesterday afternoon wandering around the Hermitage with them. They're on a two-week trip around Europe (been to Switzerland, Finland and the UK to go), which includes three full days in St. Petersburg. Since I will have several more weeks to visit the sights and museums around here, I'm letting them decide where to go/what to do while they're here. And first up, Hermitage!

The main part of the museum is comprised of four buildings, one of which was originally the Winter Palace of the Romanovs, aka their home while in St. Petersburg. Seeing this building was our objective while visiting - at least for Ann and I, who had not much interest in looking at the extensive collection of painting, after painting, after painting, after painting.

The front of the building from the south side.

The interior is beautifully bright, the entrance hall and main staircase being painted white. With LOTS of gold trim.

Walking up the main stairs. This level of gilt is only the beginning.....


Most of the rooms we visited were big ballroom-esque places for entertaining large crowds, but there were also smaller rooms for living. My two favourites were a room that was entirely red (with the obligatory gold trim of course!) and the study, which was wall-to-wall books.


See? So much beautiful gorgeous red. In my opinion every room could be this colour and it would be wonderful.

I'll be back for sure during the next few weeks, so I'll post some more pics then!