The Winter Palace, a fabulous green, white, and gold building on the side of the Neva River, houses the world-famous Hermitage Museum. The Hermitage is the largest collection of Russian art in the world and began as the private collection of Empress Catherine the Great. She commanded Russian ambassadors around the world to purchase the best pieces of art they could find and grew her collection through them. Today, the Hermitage is one of world's most important collections of art.

The Palace Square is just as rich in history. Here the December rebellion was halted and the Bolshevik rebellion succeeded. It was on this square that an imperial guard opened fire on a peaceful demonstration in 1905, igniting the revolution that would culminate in the storming of the Winter Palace by the Bolsheviks in 1917. In the center of the Palace Square stands the Alexander Column, memorializing the role of Alexander I in stopping Napolean's invasion.

Did you know? All of our private tours to St. Petersburg include at least 3 hours at the Hermitage with the leadership of a professional guide.

Among the highlights of the art gallery is the Renaissance collection with its Raphaels, the Impressionists (Cezanne, Monet), and its 20th century paintings (Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky). Highlights of the historic palace are the Malachite room, the Great Nicholas Room where glittering imperial balls were held, the Concert Hall, and the imperial carriages. There are a wealth of fascinating exhibits, including finds from Russia's Scythian culture (notably the amazing gold and silver antiquities in the Golden Room, which costs extra and has to be booked in advance, plus the mummified corpses and horses from the burial mounds and the 2500-year-old carpet).

The Hermitage's popularity, of course, means that lines can be long, but there are a few tricks to getting around them. Buy tickets online and in advance and follow a guided tour. You can get an official tour from the excursions office located on the premises, but it is a better idea to ask your travel specialist to arrange it you.