The Hermitage is one of the largest and oldest museums in the world. It’s located about two blocks from our hotel. How cool is that?
Catherine the Great founded The Hermitage in 1764 and it’s been open to the public since 1852. I guess it was only open to Cathy’s friends during the intervening 88 years.
“Hey, c’mon over on Saturday night and we’ll look at the Dutch Masters.”
“Not the Dutch Masters again. How about Picasso?”
“Sorry, he won’t be born for a few more decades.”
They say it owns the largest collection of paintings in the world and after looking for several hours at rooms full of those same Rembrandts, Picassos, and everything in between, I believe them.
The building that houses the Hermitage is known as the Winter Palace and was built by Catherine. I assume she built it because one simply can’t change seasons without changing palaces.