A tour of the Hermitage Vault was included with the Privileged Access Pass. This was a ride across town. Along the way, our guide pointed out this cemetery. I think it was the Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery, dedicated to those that died during the siege of Leningrad and the oldest in SPI. To verify, I looked up "oldest cemetery in SP" and five or six popped up saying that was their claim to fame. Who knows?
The Vault is another huge complex that houses the most valuable items of the Hermitage that are not on display. It has the highest security. We had to check all our belongings as soon as we arrived. We were not allowed to take photos other than in the lobby. Here's a photo of the complex.
The white building on the right is main entrance. Tall fences surrounded the complex.
Another building of the complex. Notice the solar panels to help with energy needs.
Before our tour we were served lunch at the staff canteen.
There was a hearty soup, veggie salad, blueberry muffin, and tea for me as a veg head. Doesn't sound like much, but I was satisfied. Others got a meat sandwich.
We had a little time to browse the gift shop before the tour. There were a few art pieces in the lobby as well. I liked this one with the imperial carriage and cat on the "globe."
This was the lobby looking into the secured area.
A historian led us on this tour. We went through heavily secured checkpoints with coded door locks and uniformed guards. It was also temperature and humidity controlled. Elevators were huge to accommodate many of the sizable works.
We saw the wax likeness of PtG that was originally at his Kunstkammer Museum (mentioned in an earlier blog). Yes, his head, feet, and shoulders were realistically small compared to his 2m 4cm (6'8") height and body stature. It was dressed in clothes that he actually wore during his reign between 1682-1725.
We saw wedding and funeral dresses worn by the imperials, a set of 139 chairs that were originally in one of the Winter Palace ballrooms, other lavish pieces of furniture used by the "greats," a gun collection, sleighs and carriages that were hundreds of years old yet in perfect condition (one was the model used to create a Fabergé egg, see below), and more. All jaw-dropping!
As a special treat, we were allowed to step into a tapestry tent given to Catherine the Great in 1792 by a Turkish sultan as a diplomatic gift. It was so large it contained five rooms. Outside was camouflage; inside was silk, wool, cashmere, and gold thread. The weave was so tightly made that it would repel bullets. Its total weight was 400 kilos (882 pounds).
We did not get to see them, but there are 14 restoration workshops here. The largest team is 30 and the smallest is three. Students in training from universities work beside seasoned professionals. This example of a repair was in the lobby. Notice the left side arm and leg.
That is about all I can say, as we were sworn to secrecy beyond what I've told you ... just kidding!
It is a hard site to maneuver, but to learn more about the Hermitage Museum, you can check www.hermitagemuseum.org. It will tell about the various buildings, rooms within each building, and objects d'art within each room.
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