Hermitage Museum closed on Mondays?

[kruzkeen]

I have heard that the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg is closed on Monday to the general public. However, it is open to shore excursions from cruise ships that are in port and these passengers have much more room to see the exhibits.

 

Can anyone confirm or deny this?

[TedC]

The first time we were in St. Petersburg, when it was called Leningrad, we went to the Hermitage on a day it was closed and it was wonderful. That time we were on a land tour but the Hermitage was on our itinerary and so our guide got us in. Besides our small group there was only one other small group.

 

We were there again a couple of years ago and it was busy but our guide on a ship excursion took us to the head of the line. I think the Russians are used to letting foreigners go ahead because they know the value of our Dollars and Euros - at least no riots or even protests broke out when we cut the line.

 

Don't miss the top floor where there are some great works by Impressionists that you will never see anywhere else. One that my wife and I really liked was Monet's "Lady in the Garden." We found it hauntingly beautiful.

 

Even if you have little interest in art, the building itself is well worth seeing, especially the Grand Staircase.