At the vast Hermitage, unquestionably one of the world's finest museums, you will be amazed by its artistic splendor. Some of the more impressive areas architecturally are the Small Throne Room, the gilded-column Armorial Hall, and the stunning Malachite Room, which features more than two tons of ornamental stone. Walking through the ensemble of buildings, you will marvel at the seemingly endless exhibitions.
Within the museum's walls are housed displays of 15th- and 16th-century art, which can include works from Renoir, Degas, Monet, Van Gogh, and Cezanne. The guided tour will include numerous reception halls - the Field Marshal's Hall, the Small Throne Room, the Armorial Hall and the Hall of St. George. While it is not possible to view all of the art work and exhibits during your visit, dependent upon the volume of visitors this day and time permitting, you might see Leonardo da Vinci's "The Little Madonna," "Abraham's Sacrifice" by Rembrandt, and a Scythian gold stag from the 2nd century B.C.
You will also stroll through the Small Hermitage, a wing known for its exquisite marble colonnade, crystal chandeliers, and gilded 18th century Peacock Clock. In the wing known as the Old Hermitage, there is a splendid collection of Italian Renaissance art, and in the New Hermitage, the Dutch masters are represented. The grand culmination of your tour is a visit to the restored Gold Room. It contains an amazing collection of archeological finds, including Scythian and Greek gold, numerous royal gifts, and a fabulous collection of Western European jewelry made by the most prominent jewelers of the time.
Upon exiting, you will rejoin your coach and transfer directly back to the pier.
Please note: Various halls of the Hermitage Museum may be closed due to restoration works or exhibitions; therefore, the order of the sites viewed or visited may vary and some of the collections may not be available to visitors.