I can’t say that I often go to museums. We are always in a hurry and it is very difficult to spare 2 or 3 hours to visit a local museum. But when I travel I always try to see all the museums and exhibitions that can be found in the place I am. Some month ago I was in S. Petersburg. I visited many places of interest including the Hermitage Gallery and now I want to tell you about it.

I was greatly impressed by visiting this museum of art. It was founded in 1764 by Ecatherine the Second when she bought 225 pictures in Berlin. Under Nicholas I the Hermitage was reconstructed (1840-52), and it was opened to the public in 1852. Following the October Revolution of 1917, the imperial collections became public property. The museum is housed within five interconnected buildings, including the Winter Palace (1754-62) and the Small, Old, and New Hermitages.

Now I'd like to tell you about pictures, sculptures and other works of art that I've seen in the Hermitage Gallery. A great number of wonderful pictures are offered there. Everyone can find some kind of pictures to enjoy, for example the pictures by the world's greatest masters: Michelangelo, Raphael, Rembrands, Rubens and many others. All great schools of paintings are represented there: Italian, Spanish, German, and French. A few words about sculptures. I saw a lot of vases, statues and fountains. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen was the fountain belonged to Alexander the Second. Among other outstanding pieces of art I saw the coach of Ecatherine the Second and beautiful tapestries. It took 60 years to make one of these tapestries.

In conclusion I'd like to stress that no one could see everything for the one visit. To enjoy the Hermitage Gallery you must visit it several times.