Amsterdam, Holland and St Petersburg, Russia
Amsterdam in the Netherlands and St Petersburg in Russia are miles apart, but closely connected.
Question:
What have Amsterdam and St Petersburg in common?
Answer:
The Hermitage and Tsar Peter the Great.
Tsar Peter the Great (1672-1725) purchased paintings of maritime scenes during his visit to Holland. These together with Catherine the Great’s collection of art works by foreign and Russian artists formed the basis for the collection of works of art in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg.
Not as grand as the Russian Hermitage with three hundred and fifty exhibition rooms and 2,5 million objects, the Dutch cousin is one of the larger museums in Amsterdam. Four wings and twenty-one exhibition rooms showcase rotating exhibitions of works of art on loan from the St Petersburg Hermitage.
The Dutch branch is housed in a 17th century former home for the elderly. Ten years ago the building consisted of a warren of darkish small rooms. Today it’s spacious and light.
Even if you are not interested in Russian art, you might like to visit the museum because the building itself is of historic interest.
WHAT: The Hermitage
WHERE: Amstel 51
OPENING HOURS: daily 10.00-17.00, Wednesday until 20.00
ADMISSION FEES:
€15 – Adults
free – Children up to 16 years of age, museumkaart and I Amsterdam Card holders
Related article: At the Russian Court
photo credit: Flickr
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