The Hermitage (includes "The Winter Palace")

Its been awhile since my last entry, the last week was very hectic with excursions and other activities so I had little time to write. Now that classes are in full swing and we don't have as many excursions things have calmed down a bit. So anyway, last Wednesday we went to the hermitage which includes the well known "Winter Palace" as well as several newer halls and over 300 exhibits, and as a student I got free admission ;). I found out from the tour guide that "The Hermitage" is French for "the refuge for the hermit". Kind of s strange name for a royal palace, but I could definitely see why someone would want to take refuge from a harsh Russian winter. Here are some of the pictures.
A view of "The Winter Palace"from the outside

This is the first hall, it is the only room created in "The Baroque" fashion because during the reign of Catherine the Great, that style was no longer popular. The rest of "The Winter Palace" is done in the Classical style.....I like the Baroque better, sorry Catherine.

 

This throne room was constructed for Peter the Great, though he never used it because he died before this palace was created.

Here is the real throne room that every czar had used until the monarchy was....ended

Here is the "White Room" it is full of beautiful chandeliers

The design on this wall is mirrored by the design on the floor...very nice

The design on this table was created with small stones, it was not painted

This sculpture we are looking at was created by Michelangelo...you can see me!

Russia really loves gold trimming and chandeliers.

and long elaborate drapes

Amazing...

 Ok well this only scratches the surface of what The Hermitage has to over. I hope to go back there again soon to see more of it. My next entry will be about my visit to the Pushkin Palace, thanks for reading.