The State Hermitage Museum is the largest cultural and historical museum not only in Russia but also in the world. Its collections number around three million exhibits. The main exhibitions are located in the Main Museum Complex in St. Petersburg, in the building of the Winter Palace, the former residence of the Russian emperors. Here you can see monuments of European culture, unique exhibits, including the largest collection of Rembrandt paintings outside the Netherlands, the only sculpture by Michelangelo in Russia, and original works by Leonardo da Vinci. The Hermitage has long been a center of cultural life in Eastern Europe, where scientific work is conducted daily and various events are held, making it a true gem of the northern capital of Russia.

An interesting fact: to see all the exhibits of the Hermitage, spending at least one minute on each for eight hours a day, it would take about 11 years. The total length of the halls exceeds 24 kilometers. This largest museum attracts millions of tourists from all over the world and has become a calling card of St. Petersburg.

The history of the Hermitage began when Peter the Great made St. Petersburg the capital, and city planners sought a place for the royal residence. After his death, his descendants considered expanding the Winter Palace. In 1732, by order of Anna Ioannovna, construction began based on Rastrelli's design, which continued until 1762. Catherine the Great, known for her passion for enlightenment, acquired a collection of paintings from merchant Johann Gotzkowski in 1764, laying the foundation for the museum's creation.

Catherine II's collection included 317 paintings from the Dutch-Flemish school. The empress actively enriched the collection by acquiring artworks from across Europe. In 1769, the collection of Polish King Augustus III was purchased, followed by works from France and Great Britain in subsequent years.

Catherine's descendants continued her work by buying private collections. Nicholas I opened the Hermitage to the public in 1852, and the museum became popular among the residents of St. Petersburg. During the Soviet period, the museum was supplemented with works from private collections but also lost many exhibits due to sales abroad.

The modern Hermitage actively participates in international projects and uses modern technologies to attract visitors. The museum's collection features artworks from ancient times to the present, including Italian, Dutch, Spanish, French, and English paintings.

The Hermitage has branches in Russia and abroad, including Vyborg, Kazan, Omsk, and Yekaterinburg, as well as in Italy and the Netherlands. The museum is known for its Hermitage cats, which have become a symbol of the museum and help combat rodents.

The Hermitage is shrouded in myths and legends, including stories about ghosts and underground passages. Malevich's painting "Black Square" is also surrounded by mystique, attracting the attention of visitors.