🏛️ **【St. Petersburg Hermitage: A Treasure of Art and History】** 🌟

#2月好去2025 The Winter Palace is not only a museum, but also an encyclopedia of art and history. As you stroll through it, you will feel that the glory of the Tsarist era and the treasures of world art intersect here. 🕊️ --- ### **Background introduction** The Winter Palace (Зимний дворец) is located in the center of St. Petersburg. It is one of the most famous museums in Russia and one of the four largest museums in the world. Built in the 18th century, it was once the Tsar’s winter palace and is now the main building of the State Hermitage Museum. The Hermitage is famous for its magnificent architecture, rich art collection and long history, attracting millions of tourists every year. --- ### **Travel Guide** 1. **Must-see highlights**: - **Jordan Staircase**: The entrance to the Winter Palace, famous for its gorgeous Baroque style and golden decorations. - **Raphael Loggias**: Reproductions of Raphael's frescoes in the Vatican, showing the pinnacle of Renaissance art. - **Leonardo da Vinci Hall**: houses two authentic works by Leonardo da Vinci: "Madonna of Benova" and "Leda and the Swan". - **Peacock Clock**: An 18th century mechanical clock that features a peacock spreading its feathers every Wednesday when it is wound. 2. **Recommended route**: - **Classic route**: Enter from the Jordan Stairs, visit the Raphael Room, the Da Vinci Room and the Peacock Clock in turn, and finally go to the Military Gallery. - **In-depth Route**: Choose a specific theme, such as Impressionism, Ancient Egypt or Russian Art, and explore the museum's rich collection in depth. - It is recommended to reserve at least 4 hours, and an in-depth tour requires a whole day. 3. **Special experience**: - **Night opening**: The museum is open until 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Winter Palace is very charming under the lights at night. - **Guided Tour Service**: Multilingual guides are available, or you can book a private tour to gain a deeper understanding of art and history. --- ### **Transportation Guide** 📍 Address: 2 Palace Square, central St. Petersburg - **Metro**: Take Line 2 to Admiralteyskaya Station and walk for about 10 minutes. - **Bus**: Several bus lines stop near Palace Square, about a 5-minute walk away. - **Self-driving**: There are limited parking lots in the surrounding area, so it is recommended to use public transportation. --- ### **Tips** ⚠️ **Tips for purchasing tickets**: - Tickets can be booked on the official website to avoid queuing. - It is open to the public free of charge on the first Thursday of every month, but it is crowded so it is recommended to arrive early. ⚠️ **Visiting Instructions**: - Dress neatly, no large backpacks allowed, storage service is provided at the entrance. - Photography is prohibited in some exhibition halls, please pay attention to the signs. 🌞 **Best time**: - There are fewer people when the restaurant opens at 10 am on weekdays, but there are many tourists on weekends and holidays. - There are fewer tourists in winter, but you need to keep warm. 📵 **Safety Tips**: - Eating and drinking are prohibited in the museum, please abide by the regulations. - Carry your passport or ID with you in case of verification. --- ### **Photography check-in spots** 1. **Jordan Stairs**: Take photos of the gorgeous decorations and dome murals at an upward angle. 2. **Palace Square Panorama**: Stand at the gate of the Winter Palace and take a magnificent panoramic photo of the square and the Alexander Column. 3. **Peacock Clock**: Captures the moment when a peacock spreads its feathers, showing the charm of mechanical art. 📸 It is recommended to use a wide-angle lens to capture the grandeur of buildings and artworks. #SaintPetersburg