Outstanding Reasons to Visit the Hermitage Museum in Russia

The Hermitage Museum does not disappoint and it certainly lives up to its reputation. You can get lost for days just soaking up all the treasures in its 360 rooms. And to think what's on display is a mere fraction of over three million items in their collection--this amounts to a comprehensive history of Western European art. Catherine the Great, one of the greatest art collectors of all time, began the collection. Visiting the museum requires planning so download the Hermitage Museum Travel Guide and Offline Map and start now!

1. Portrait of Soler

One of the most emotive paintings from Picasso’s ‘Blue Period’, Portrait of Soler is a picture of a young man sitting alone in a café, and is widely considered a comment on loneliness and isolation within the artist’s own life. Painted in 1903, using his good friend and patron, Soleras as his model, Picasso expresses melancholy through a powerful use of color, expression, and lighting – or lack thereof.

2. St. Luke Drawing the Virgin

A significant artwork by Belgian painter Rogier van der Weyden, St Luke Drawing the Virgin portrays an artist--perhaps a self-portrait of van der Weyden himself--sketching the Virgin Mary as she cradles baby Jesus. Interestingly, the canvas was initially two separate pieces, one half owned by Tsar Nicholas I, and the other by Alexander III. If you look closely, you can still see the vertical join.

3. Head of Athena

There are a number of sculptures of Greek Goddess Athena throughout the State Hermitage Museum, but the Head of Athena is arguably the most captivating. Dating back to the 2nd century, the marble is immaculately preserved, so her powerful and wise gaze continues to be as striking as it would have been when it was created.

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St Petersburg, Russia’s Window to Europe

The 350 year-old city of St Petersburg has become an epic of European revolt and intrigue. Its political and historical narratives can still be seen today all around the city. Below are a few convincing reasons on why you should check out this amazing city. The city is huge so prepare your St Petersburg Travel Guide and Offline City Map.

The Art

Art is deeply ingrained in the veins of St. Petersburg. This is made obvious the moment you set foot into the city. Almost all the streets are covered in amazing street art that conveys various political and personal views by the artists. The most famous among this marvelous works of art is Timofey Radya’s manifesto All I Know About Street Art he painted at a former plastics factory and dedicated to the St Petersburg Street Art Museum. If you are not that into street art, the world renowned Hermitage Museum houses invaluable works by Rembrandt, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rubens, and other famous artists.

The Parks

St. Petersburg has several world class parks worthy of your attention the most famous one being the Lower Park which is also referred to as the Russian Versailles. Its location which is between the Grand Palace and the seashore allows for an enthralling scenery and soothing breeze. The Lower Park houses the largest system of fountains in the world. Its arrangement of over 140 fountains will definitely make your jaw drop. It has three major cascades, each one distinct from the others.

The Palaces

St Petersburg has no shortage of majestic palaces. The Pavlovsk Palace was designed by several of its era’s brightest architects to serve as the perfect summer residence for Great Paul I. inside of the palace is like a different world where cultures from all over the world converge. It has sections dedicated for a particular culture. Its most popular sections are the Egyptian Vestibule, the Italian Hall, and the Greek Hall. Also hanging all around the palace interior are priceless French paintings. The palace also has a serene garden where musical greats such as Strauss occasionally perform.

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