A museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, The State Hermitage Museum is the second largest art museum in the world. Founded in 1764 and opened to the public since 1852, it occupies a large complex comprising of six historical buildings, five of which are opened to the public. All buildings are set alongside the Palace Embankment, and holds an astonishing three million items in their collection!

From Rembrandt to Renoir, from Michelangelo to Monet, the walls of this museum are dripping with numerous works crafted by some of the most famous artistic minds in history. A bulk of the items exhibited here are found in the Winter Palace, the former residence of the Russian monarchs. This green and white monument oozes regality, and is now known to be the main building of the museum complex. Visit the grand State Rooms via the Jordan Staircase, which show the rich symbolism of Imperial Russia and its military might.