State Hermitage Museum
Saint Petersburg · Russia · Founded 1764
Quick answer
State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia — the State Hermitage Museum is a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM; closed Mondays. Admission: 1,200 RUB (700 RUB from 4 PM; 500 RUB from 6 PM on late days). Allow 3–5 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 25 September 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
State Hermitage Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Last entry | Ticket offices close 1 hour before the museum |
| Admission | 1,200 RUB (700 RUB from 4 PM; 500 RUB from 6 PM on late days) |
| Free or reduced entry | Under-14s always free (any nationality) · Thursdays free for Russian students, pensioners and ages 14–18 · Free for everyone on 7 Jan, 23 Feb, 8 Mar, 12 Apr, 18 May, 5 Oct, 4 Nov and 7 Dec |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 3–5 hours |
| Getting there | Metro: Blue Line (Line 2) to Nevsky Prospekt, then 10-minute walk along the Neva embankment |
| Address | Palace Square, 2, St Petersburg, Russia, 190000 |
| Official website | hermitagemuseum.org |
Checked 2026-09-25 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is State Hermitage Museum known for?
The State Hermitage Museum is a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is the largest art museum in the world by gallery space. It was founded in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of paintings from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky.
The museum celebrates the anniversary of its founding each year on 7 December, St. Catherine's Day. It has been open to the public since 1852.
Its collections, of which only a small part is on permanent display, comprise over three million items, including the largest collection of paintings in the world.
The collections occupy a large complex of six historic buildings along Palace Embankment, including the Winter Palace, a former residence of Russian emperors. Apart from them, the Menshikov Palace, Museum of Porcelain, Storage Facility at Staraya Derevnya, and the eastern wing of the General Staff Building are also part of the museum.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Rainy-day visits
How long do you need at State Hermitage Museum?
Allow 3–5 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at State Hermitage Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Madonna Litta
📍 Room 214, Italian Art (15th–16th century)
One of only 15–20 paintings attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.
- 2
Danae
📍 Room 254, Dutch Art
Rembrandt's sensuous depiction of Danae awaiting her divine visitor was attacked with acid and slashed in 1985.
- 3
The Dance
📍 Room 343, French Art of the 20th century
Matisse's monumental canvas of five nude figures dancing in a circle was commissioned by Russian collector Sergei Shchukin.
- 4
Boy with a Dog
📍 Room 239, Spanish Art
One of Murillo's celebrated genre scenes of street urchins — painted with an affection and immediacy rare in 17th-century Spanish art.
What are the must-see works at State Hermitage Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: Madonna Litta, Danae, The Dance and more.
Madonna Litta
Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1490
📍 Room 214, Italian Art (15th–16th century)
One of only 15–20 paintings attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. The tender image of the Madonna nursing the Christ Child exemplifies Leonardo's sfumato technique and understanding of human emotion.
Danae
Rembrandt van Rijn · 1636
📍 Room 254, Dutch Art
Rembrandt's sensuous depiction of Danae awaiting her divine visitor was attacked with acid and slashed in 1985. The painstaking restoration — still visible in some areas — has become part of the work's story.
The Dance
Henri Matisse · 1910
📍 Room 343, French Art of the 20th century
Matisse's monumental canvas of five nude figures dancing in a circle was commissioned by Russian collector Sergei Shchukin. Its radical simplification of form and pure, unmodulated colour were hugely influential on modern art.
Boy with a Dog
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo · c. 1655–1660
📍 Room 239, Spanish Art
One of Murillo's celebrated genre scenes of street urchins — painted with an affection and immediacy rare in 17th-century Spanish art. The intimate relationship between boy and dog makes it one of the Hermitage's most universally loved works.
Collections and highlights
- • The Peacock Clock
- • Madonna Litta by Leonardo da Vinci
- • The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt
- • Danaë by Rembrandt
- • The Raphael Loggias
Tips for visiting State Hermitage Museum
- 1.
Tickets & booking
Tickets are priced by entry time: 1,200 RUB before 4 PM, 700 RUB from 4 PM and 500 RUB from 6 PM on late days. E-tickets go on sale 2–4 weeks ahead; ticket offices sell same-day only.
How do you get to State Hermitage Museum?
- metro Blue Line (Line 2) to Nevsky Prospekt, then 10-minute walk along the Neva embankment
- metro Blue Line to Admiralteyskaya (since 2011), then 8-minute walk
- bus Routes 7, 10, 24 along Nevsky Prospekt
- walk Central St Petersburg — 15 minutes from Nevsky Prospekt main street
Address: Palace Square, 2, St Petersburg, Russia, 190000
State Hermitage Museum: frequently asked questions
How many rooms does the Hermitage have?
The State Hermitage Museum occupies six historic buildings on Palace Embankment in Saint Petersburg. The Winter Palace alone has around 1,500 rooms, of which approximately 365 are open to visitors as museum galleries. The entire museum complex spans over 66,842 square metres of gallery space, making it the largest art museum in the world by floor area.
What are the most famous works at the Hermitage?
Leonardo da Vinci's Madonna Litta and Madonna with a Flower (two of only about 15 accepted da Vinci paintings in the world); Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son (one of his greatest late works); Raphael's Conestabile Madonna; a Michelangelo marble sculpture (Crouching Boy); and the extraordinary Peacock Clock — a functioning 18th-century gold automaton clock by James Cox.
Is the Hermitage open to international tourists?
The Hermitage remains open and is technically accessible to international visitors, though travel to Russia is significantly restricted from many countries following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Many Western countries advise against all travel to Russia. Visitors should check current travel advisories from their national government before planning a trip to Saint Petersburg.
What is the Winter Palace?
The Winter Palace was built between 1754 and 1762 by the architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli as the official residence of the Russian Tsars. The Baroque building on Palace Square is painted celadon green and white and has 1,786 doors, 1,945 windows, and 1,500 rooms. It is the largest and most magnificent of the Hermitage's six buildings, and now houses the core permanent art collection.
How long should I spend at State Hermitage Museum?
Plan 3–5 hours for the highlights of State Hermitage Museum. Our 4-stop route — Madonna Litta, Danae, The Dance and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is State Hermitage Museum best known for?
The State Hermitage Museum is a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is the largest art museum in the world by gallery space. It was founded in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of paintings from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky. Key highlights include The Peacock Clock, Madonna Litta by Leonardo da Vinci, The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt.
Is State Hermitage Museum open on Mondays?
No — State Hermitage Museum is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are State Hermitage Museum's opening hours?
State Hermitage Museum is open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and closed Mondays. Last entry: Ticket offices close 1 hour before the museum. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is State Hermitage Museum free to visit?
Not for everyone. Standard admission: 1,200 RUB (700 RUB from 4 PM; 500 RUB from 6 PM on late days). Free or reduced entry: Under-14s always free (any nationality); Thursdays free for Russian students, pensioners and ages 14–18; Free for everyone on 7 Jan, 23 Feb, 8 Mar, 12 Apr, 18 May, 5 Oct, 4 Nov and 7 Dec.
