The Hermitage Museum: Your Ultimate Guide to St. Petersburg’s Crown Jewel** 🌟🏛️

#holidayitinerary
Step into the **Hermitage Museum**, one of the world’s largest and most opulent art museums, where **3 million treasures**—from Rembrandt to Egyptian mummies—are housed in a **lavish 6-building complex**, including the iconic **Winter Palace**. Founded by **Catherine the Great** in 1764, this UNESCO-listed marvel is a must-visit for art lovers, history buffs, and architecture enthusiasts. Here’s everything you need to plan your visit!

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## **Why Visit the Hermitage?**
✅ **Artistic Masterpieces**: See **Leonardo da Vinci’s *Madonna Litta***, **Rembrandt’s *Danaë***, and **Michelangelo’s *Crouching Boy***—just a fraction of its **60,000+ displayed works**.
✅ **Architectural Splendor**: Wander the **Winter Palace’s gilded halls**, climb the **Jordan Staircase**, and marvel at the **Pavilion Hall’s Peacock Clock**.
✅ **Historical Depth**: Explore Catherine the Great’s private collection, later expanded by tsars and Soviet-era acquisitions—including looted Nazi art.
✅ **Hidden Gems**: Discover the **Treasure Gallery** (gold Scythian artifacts) and **Raphael’s Loggias**—a Vatican replica.

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## **Must-See Highlights**
1. **Winter Palace State Rooms**:
- **Jordan Staircase**: Baroque masterpiece with gold-leaf details.
- **Malachite Room**: Green stone pillars where the Provisional Government last met before the 1917 Revolution.
- **Armorial Hall**: 1,000 sqm of gold-and-white grandeur.

2. **Art Masterpieces**:
- **Da Vinci’s *Benois Madonna*** (one of only 20 surviving paintings by him).
- **Rembrandt Hall**: 24 works, including *The Return of the Prodigal Son*.
- **Ancient Egypt**: Mummies and sarcophagi.

3. **Special Exhibits**:
- **Treasure Gallery**: Jeweled Fabergé eggs and Scythian gold (extra ticket required).
- **Hermitage Cats**: Furry guardians with their own holiday (March 28).

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## **Visitor Essentials**
📍 **Location**: Palace Square, St. Petersburg (nearest metro: Admiralteyskaya).
🎫 **Tickets**:
- **Onsite**: ~$10 (buy at General Staff Building to avoid queues).
- **Online**: ~$17 (skip-the-line access).
⏰ **Hours**: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM (closed Mondays).
🚶 **Time Needed**: At least **3–4 hours** for highlights; days to see it all.

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## **Pro Tips**
- **Avoid Crowds**: Visit **weekday mornings** or late openings (Wed/Fri until 9:00 PM).
- **Guided Tours**: Opt for a **3-hour highlights tour** (€4 extra) to navigate the labyrinthine halls.
- **Dress Comfortably**: Expect **5–10 km of walking**; no large bags or liquids allowed.
- **Virtual Option**: Can’t visit? Watch Apple’s **5-hour Hermitage film** shot on iPhone.

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## **Nearby Attractions**
- **Palace Square**: Home to the **Alexander Column** (tallest triumphal column).
- **Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood**: 5-minute walk.