HERMITAGE, First Floor Collections

As well as being one of the world's largest museums, the Hermitage has the privilege of being housed in a magnificent, luxurious palace of unspeakable beauty, with rooms and corridors emblematic of the wealth and opulence of the tsars’ court. No visitor can remain indifferent before the marvelous decorations, the magnificent frescoes and the extraordinary ceilings of these awe-inspiring rooms, where you can admire the finest masterworks of every age.

Since I can’t guide you step by step through the 374 rooms, spread over three floors of the various buildings, I’ll simply attempt to give you a few suggestions at the moment, while I’ll be explaining some of the most famous works on display in the following files.

Bear in mind that although many exhibitions are permanent, changes may be made to make room for temporary thematic exhibitions, and that some works may be on loan to other museums or undergoing restoration....